Note: (DT) signifies a decision taken at Decision Time.
The meeting opened at 2.00 pm.
1. Time for Reflection: Rev Albert Bogle, St Andrew’s Parish, Bo’Ness, led Time for Reflection.
2. Ministerial Statement: The Minister for Communities and Sport (Stewart Maxwell) made a statement and answered questions on sportscotland.
3. Serious Organised Crime: The Cabinet Secretary for Justice (Kenny MacAskill) moved S3M-1101—That the Parliament recognises that serious organised crime is a major problem that has a devastating impact on communities and businesses in Scotland; believes that tackling this menace should be a key priority for a safer and stronger Scotland; supports the Scottish police service and UK and European law enforcement agencies in ramping up their efforts to disrupt and destroy the criminal networks which inflict misery on law-abiding citizens; commends the agencies responsible for recovering over £17 million worth of assets using the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002; supports the view that serious organised crime cannot be seen to pay and supports further measures to ensure that criminals are stripped of the profits made from the misery they cause in order to reinvest in the youth of Scotland and communities, and supports the role of the newly established Serious Organised Crime Taskforce in spearheading a renewed drive and commitment to address this type of crime.
Pauline McNeill moved amendment S3M-1101.1 to motion S3M-1101—
Insert at end—
"and calls on the Scottish Government to ensure that the necessary resources are in place to effectively implement the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002."
After debate, the amendment was agreed to (DT).Margaret Smith moved amendment S3M-1101.2 to motion S3M-1101—
Insert at end—
"but regrets the Scottish Government’s continued failure to implement the SNP’s election promise of 1,000 extra police officers, which would contribute to the fight against serious crime."
After debate, the amendment was agreed to ((DT) by division: For 72, Against 49, Abstentions 0).
The motion, as amended, was then agreed to ((DT) by division: For 72, Against 48, Abstentions 1).
Accordingly, the Parliament resolved—That the Parliament recognises that serious organised crime is a major problem that has a devastating impact on communities and businesses in Scotland; believes that tackling this menace should be a key priority for a safer and stronger Scotland; supports the Scottish police service and UK and European law enforcement agencies in ramping up their efforts to disrupt and destroy the criminal networks which inflict misery on law-abiding citizens; commends the agencies responsible for recovering over £17 million worth of assets using the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002; supports the view that serious organised crime cannot be seen to pay and supports further measures to ensure that criminals are stripped of the profits made from the misery they cause in order to reinvest in the youth of Scotland and communities, and supports the role of the newly established Serious Organised Crime Taskforce in spearheading a renewed drive and commitment to address this type of crime; calls on the Scottish Government to ensure that the necessary resources are in place to effectively implement the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, but regrets the Scottish Government’s continued failure to implement the SNP’s election promise of 1,000 extra police officers, which would contribute to the fight against serious crime.
4. Health and Social Care Bill - UK Legislation: Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing (Nicola Sturgeon) moved S3M-1044—That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the UK Health and Social Care Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 15 November 2007, which legislate in devolved areas in respect of provisions relating to the regulation of the healthcare professions should be considered by the UK Parliament.
The motion was agreed to (DT).
5. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-1109—That the Parliament agrees that Rule 5.6.1(c) of Standing Orders be suspended for the purposes of Members’ Business on Wednesday 23 January 2008.
The motion was agreed to.
6. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-1108—That the Parliament agrees the following programme of business—
Wednesday 16 January 2008
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Ministerial Statement: Fisheries
followed by Scottish Government Debate: OECD Report into Scottish Education: the Quality and Equity of Schooling in Scotland
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Thursday 17 January 2008
9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Energy
11.40 am General Question Time
12 noon First Minister's Question Time
2.15 pm Themed Question Time
Health and Wellbeing
2.55 pm Scottish Government Debate: Justice
followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Bill – UK Legislation
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Wednesday 23 January 2008
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Stage 1 Debate: Budget (Scotland) Bill
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
6.00 pm Decision Time
Thursday 24 January 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
followed by Members’ Business
2.15 pm Themed Question Time
Justice and Law Officers;
Rural Affairs and the Environment
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.
7. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-1107—That the Parliament agrees that consideration of the Graduate Endowment Abolition (Scotland) Bill at Stage 2 be completed by 1 February 2008.
The motion was agreed to.
8. Decision Time: The Parliament took decisions on items 3 and 4 as noted above.
9. Government Powers to Ensure Terrestrial Broadcast of Sport: The Parliament debated S3M-858 in the name of Keith Brown—That the Parliament expresses displeasure about the ongoing lack of access for viewers in Ochil and across Scotland to the fixtures of the Scotland men’s football team on terrestrial television, in particular the Scotland v Italy fixture scheduled for 17 November 2007; criticises the BBC for again scheduling in all parts of the United Kingdom the live England match on 21 November instead; notes that within the framework of the EU broadcasting directive (89/552/EC) the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport designates sporting events into three categories, corresponding to those which must be broadcast on terrestrial television (A), those for which highlights must be broadcast on terrestrial television (B) and the remainder for which no such requirements exist; further notes that the FIFA World Cup finals and UEFA European Championship finals come under category A while the qualifying matches for these tournaments do not even come under category B; observes that other countries such as Germany require that all national men’s football team matches be made available under corresponding regulations; believes that all competitive participation in international men’s football by Scotland should be made available to terrestrial broadcasters under these regulations, and considers that powers over broadcasting should be transferred to the Scottish Parliament so that the Scottish Government can take such action.
The meeting closed at 5.42 pm.
P E Grice
Clerk of the Parliament
9 January 2008
Appendix
(Note: this Appendix does not form part of the Minutes)
Subordinate Legislation
Affirmative Instruments
The following instrument was laid in draft before the Parliament on 21 December 2007 for approval by resolution
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (Prescribed Documents) Regulations 2008
laid under section 191(5) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006
The following instruments were laid in draft before the Parliament on 9 January 2008 for approval by resolution—
The Agricultural and Horticulture Development Board Order 2007
laid under section 97(8)(a) of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006
The Quality Meat Scotland Order 2008
laid under section 97(8) of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006
Negative Instruments
The following instruments were laid before the Parliament on 21 December 2007 and are subject to annulment—
The Licensing (Transitional and Saving Provisions) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2007 (SSI 2007/573)
laid under section 146(4) of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005
The Gambling Act 2005 (Review of Premises Licences) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007 (SSI 2007/574)
laid under section 355(10) of the Gambling Act 2005
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (Penalty Charge) Regulations 2007 (SSI 2007/575)
laid under section 191(3) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006
The Scottish Police Services Authority (Staff Transfer) (No. 2) Order 2007 (SSI 2007/576)
laid under section 103(3) of the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006
The Zoonoses and Animal By-Products (Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 (SSI 2007/577)
laid under section 56(4) of the Finance Act 1973
The following instruments were laid before the Parliament on 9 January 2008 and are subject to annulment—
The Individual Learning Account (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2008 (SSI 2008/1)
laid under section 3(1) of the Education and Training (Scotland) Act 2000
The Public Service Vehicles (Traffic Regulation Conditions) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2008 (SSI 2008/2)
laid under 61(1) of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981
Other Documents
The following documents were laid before the Parliament on 21 December 2007 and are not subject to any parliamentary procedure—
Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000: Code of Practice (Second Edition): For Practitioners Authorised to Carry Out Medical Treatment or Research Under Part 5 of the Act (SE/2007/262)
laid under section 13(3) of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000
Scottish Executive Finance and Central Services Department: Non-Domestic Rating Account 2006-07 (SE/2007/268)—
Scottish Court Service Annual Report and Accounts 2006-07 (SE/2007/269)—
laid under section 22(5) of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000
The following documents were laid before the Parliament on 24 December 2007 and are not subject to any parliamentary procedure—
Transport Scotland Annual Report and Accounts 2006-07 (SE/2007/141)
laid under section 22(5) of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000
Scottish University for Industry – Annual Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2007 (SE/2007/270)
Committee Reports
The following report was published on 21 December 2007
Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, 1st Report 2007 (Session 3): Report on the Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Bill (UK Parliament legislation) (SP Paper 42)