Note:(DT) signifies a decision taken at Decision Time.
The meeting opened at 2.00pm.
1. Time for Reflection: Margaret Peacock, Religious Society of Friends led Time for Reflection.
2. Budget (Scotland) Bill: The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney) moved S3M-1176—That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Budget (Scotland) Bill.
Andrew Welsh moved amendment S3M-1176.1 to motion S3M-1176—
insert at end—
"but, in so doing, recommends that the Scottish Government (a) brings forward proposals setting out how, over the period covered by the spending review, the level of police recruitment can be increased beyond that currently planned and (b) considers whether there is scope to increase the business rate reductions applying in 2008-09 beyond those stated in the Spending Review as the first stage of the acceleration of the reductions, setting out what changes will be required to the 2008-09 Budget as a result."
After debate, the amendment was agreed to ((DT) by division: For 65, Against 1, Abstentions 62).
Iain Gray moved amendment S3M-1176.2 to motion S3M-1176—
insert at end—
"and, in so doing, calls on the Scottish Government to bring forward proposals setting out how, over the spending review period: funding can be provided to increase the modern apprenticeship programme by 15,000 places per year; vocational training opportunities can be provided as an option for secondary school pupils throughout Scotland; new direct air services from Scotland can be supported through replacement of the existing route development fund with a scheme which complies with European competition law; additional funding for universities can be provided through end-year flexibility or otherwise; the level of police establishment will be increased to 17,261; vulnerable two-year-olds can be provided with nursery education, and services for disabled children, the homeless, victims of domestic abuse and those suffering from mental health problems can be expanded beyond existing levels in every part of Scotland, setting out what changes will be required to the 2008-09 Budget as a result of these proposals."
After debate, the amendment was disagreed to ((DT) by division: For 46, Against 82, Abstentions 0).
Tavish Scott moved amendment S3M-1176.3 to motion S3M-1176—
insert at end—
"but, in so doing, believes that this is a budget of SNP broken promises; believes that the budget document is the most opaque seen since devolution; regrets the failure of the SNP government to provide adequate information on its detailed spending proposals, efficiency savings programme and alternatives to PPP; is further concerned that the budget choices made by the SNP government will lead to cuts in vital public services across Scotland, and therefore calls on the SNP government to address these issues as a matter of urgency."
After debate, the amendment was disagreed to ((DT) by division: For 62, Against 66, Abstentions 0).
The motion, as amended, was then agreed to ((DT) by division: For 64, Against 62, Abstentions 2).
Accordingly, the Parliament resolved— That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Budget (Scotland) Bill but, in so doing, recommends that the Scottish Government (a) brings forward proposals setting out how, over the period covered by the spending review, the level of police recruitment can be increased beyond that currently planned and (b) considers whether there is scope to increase the business rate reductions applying in 2008-09 beyond those stated in the Spending Review as the first stage of the acceleration of the reductions, setting out what changes will be required to the 2008-09 Budget as a result.
3. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-1197—That the Parliament agrees the following revision to the programme of business for Thursday 24 January 2008—
after
9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
insert
followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Bill – UK Legislation
The motion was agreed to.
4. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-1198—That the Parliament agrees the following programme of business—
Wednesday 30 January 2008
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Ministerial Statement: Delivering More Effective Government
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Importance of Scottish History in the School Curriculum
followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill – UK Legislation
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Thursday 31 January 2008
9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Labour Party Business
11.40 am General Question Time
12 noon First Minister's Question Time
2.15 pm Themed Question Time
Finance and Sustainable Growth
2.55 pm Scottish Government Debate: Poverty
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Wednesday 6 February 2008
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Stage 3 Debate: Budget (Scotland) Bill
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Thursday 7 February 2008
9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Government Business
11.40 am General Question Time
12 noon First Minister's Question Time
2.15 pm Themed Question Time
Europe, External Affairs and Culture;
Education and Lifelong Learning
2.55 pm Scottish Government Business
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
The motion was agreed to.
5. Approval of SSI: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-1199—That the Parliament agrees that the draft Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 (Modification) Order 2008 be approved.
6. Decision Time: The Parliament took decisions on items 2 and 5 as noted above.
The meeting closed at 6.04 pm.
P E Grice
Clerk of the Parliament
23 January 2008
Appendix
(Note: this Appendix does not form part of the Minutes)
Subordinate Legislation
Affirmative Instruments
The following instruments were laid in draft before the Parliament on 18 January 2008 for approval by resolution–
The Community Care (Personal Care and Nursing Care) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2008
laid under section 23(3)(a) of the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002
The Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 Fixed Penalty Order 2008
laid under section 302(8)(b) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995
The following instrument was laid in draft before the Parliament on 23 January 2008 for approval by resolution–
The Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985 (Low Income, Low Asset Debtors etc.) Regulations 2008
laid under section 72(2) of the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985
Negative Instruments
The following instrument was laid before the Parliament on 18 January 2008 and is subject to annulment
The Bluetongue (Scotland) Order 2008 (SSI 2008/11)
laid under paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 2 to the European Communities Act 1972
The following instrument was laid before the Parliament on 22 January 2008 and is subject to annulment
The Condensed Milk and Dried Milk (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2008 (SSI 2008/12)
laid under section 48(3) of the Food Safety Act 1990
The following instruments were laid before the Parliament on 23 January 2008 and are subject to annulment—
The National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2008 (SSI 2008/13)—
The National Assistance (Sums for Personal Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations 2008 (SSI 2008/14)—
laid under section 63(3) of the National Assistance Act 1948
The Scottish Road Works Register (Prescribed Fees and Amounts) Regulations 2008 (SSI 2008/16)
laid under section 163(2) of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991
Not Subject to any Parliamentary Procedure
The following instrument was laid before the Parliament on 18 January 2008 and is not subject to any parliamentary procedure
The Shrimp Fishing Nets (Scotland) Amendment Order 2008 (SSI 2008/10)
laid under section 20(3) of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967
Other Documents
The following document was laid before the Parliament on 23 January 2008 and is not subject to any Parliamentary procedure
Scottish Public Services Ombudsman: Compendium of Case Reports for January 2008 (SPSO/2008/01)—
Case 200503073: Queen Margaret University
Case 200500816: Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board
Case 200501744: Western Isles NHS Board
Case 200602971: A Dentist, Lothian NHS Board
Case 200604027: A Medical Practice, Lothian NHS Board
Case 200700452: Lothian NHS Board
Case 200502691: Forth Valley NHS Board
Case 200602507: Grampian NHS Board
Case 200603606: A Medical Practice, Grampian NHS Board
Case 200701715: A Medical Practice; Grampian NHS Board
Case 200501601: The State Hospitals Board for Scotland
Case 200603869: Dumfries and Galloway NHS Board
Case 200604065: Falkirk Council
Case 200501013: Glasgow City Council
Case 200700996: Orkney Islands Council
Case 200501640: Fife Council
Case 200500394: East Lothian Council
Case 200603033: East Lothian Council
Case 200500226: East Renfrewshire Council
Case 200500865: Renfrewshire Council
laid under Section 15(1) of the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002
Committee Reports
The following reports were published on 18 January 2008—
Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, 1st Report, 2008 (Session 3): Elections to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SP Paper 47)
Subordinate Legislation Committee, 2nd Report, 2008 (Session 3): Report on Subordinate Legislation (SP Paper 48)
The following report was published on 23 January 2008
Justice Committee, 3rd Report, 2008 (Session 3): Report on Subordinate Legislation (SP Paper 49)