Note: (DT) signifies a decision taken at Decision Time.
The meeting opened at 2.30 pm.
1. Time for Reflection: Rabbi Shefa Gold, Edinburgh International Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace led Time for Reflection.
2. Tourism: The Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism (Jim Mather) moved S3M-5962—That the Parliament supports the Scottish tourism industry as it works toward the shared growth ambition set out in the Tourism Framework for Change (TFFC) strategy; commends the commitment shown by the industry in establishing the new TFFC Leadership Group to drive an industry-led approach to improvements in quality, skills, innovation and investment across the sector; welcomes the success of Homecoming Scotland 2009 and, as part of the legacy of that year, the recent announcement that a focus on Scotland’s food and drink will start in 2010; recognises tourism as a key sector with a vital contribution to make to the Scottish Government’s strategic objectives and economic recovery plan, and notes the importance of continuing to promote Scotland as a place to visit, stay, live and work.
Lewis Macdonald moved amendment S3M-5962.3 to motion S3M-5962—
Leave out from “welcomes” to “that year” and insert—
“believes, however, that the Scottish Government must also take responsibility for meeting the skills gaps; notes that, in spite of the efforts made by tourism businesses and local communities as part of Homecoming Scotland 2009, overseas visitor numbers and economic activity in the hotels and catering sector fell in the first three quarters of 2009; regrets that, in spite of that fall in earnings in the sector, many Scottish tourism businesses are facing significant increases in non-domestic rates with immediate effect; notes”.
After debate, the amendment was agreed to ((DT) by division: For 70, Against 50, Abstentions 0).
Gavin Brown moved amendment S3M-5962.2 to motion S3M-5962—
Insert at end—
“further notes that in its 2008 report, Growing Pains - can we achieve a 50% growth in tourist revenue by 2015?, the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee recommended unanimously that the Scottish Government should set up a review group of leading industry specialists to make recommendations on the type and number of tourism education, skills and training courses in the future; notes that the committee’s report suggested that the starting point for the review group should be a wholesale rationalisation into a model that suits Scottish needs and has industry buy-in; calls on the Scottish Government to implement the committee recommendation as soon as possible, and calls on the Scottish Government to ensure that all press releases and announcements that it issues regarding tourism statistics paint a clear and wholly accurate picture of the industry.”
After debate, the amendment was agreed to ((DT) by division: For 70, Against 47, Abstentions 3).
Jeremy Purvis moved amendment S3M-5962.1 to motion S3M-5962—
Insert at end—
“; notes, however, that many hotels and tourism businesses will shortly receive extremely high non-domestic rates bill increases; notes that in England and Wales rates increases are being phased in; regrets that the Scottish Government did not consult the Scottish business community on a number of transitional relief scheme options to phase in any increases over the valuation period, and calls on the Scottish Government to immediately consult the hotel and hospitality sector and to introduce a transitional relief scheme without which these businesses will be at a competitive disadvantage compared with those in England and Wales.”
After debate, the amendment was disagreed to ((DT) by division: For 56, Against 64, Abstentions 0).
The motion, as amended, was then agreed to ((DT) by division: For 71, Against 49, Abstentions 0).
Accordingly, the Parliament resolved—That the Parliament supports the Scottish tourism industry as it works toward the shared growth ambition set out in the Tourism Framework for Change (TFFC) strategy; commends the commitment shown by the industry in establishing the new TFFC Leadership Group to drive an industry-led approach to improvements in quality, skills, innovation and investment across the sector; believes, however, that the Scottish Government must also take responsibility for meeting the skills gaps; notes that, in spite of the efforts made by tourism businesses and local communities as part of Homecoming Scotland 2009, overseas visitor numbers and economic activity in the hotels and catering sector fell in the first three quarters of 2009; regrets that, in spite of that fall in earnings in the sector, many Scottish tourism businesses are facing significant increases in non-domestic rates with immediate effect; notes the recent announcement that a focus on Scotland’s food and drink will start in 2010; recognises tourism as a key sector with a vital contribution to make to the Scottish Government’s strategic objectives and economic recovery plan; notes the importance of continuing to promote Scotland as a place to visit, stay, live and work; further notes that in its 2008 report, Growing Pains - can we achieve a 50% growth in tourist revenue by 2015?, the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee recommended unanimously that the Scottish Government should set up a review group of leading industry specialists to make recommendations on the type and number of tourism education, skills and training courses in the future; notes that the committee’s report suggested that the starting point for the review group should be a wholesale rationalisation into a model that suits Scottish needs and has industry buy-in; calls on the Scottish Government to implement the committee recommendation as soon as possible, and calls on the Scottish Government to ensure that all press releases and announcements that it issues regarding tourism statistics paint a clear and wholly accurate picture of the industry.
3. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-5970—That the Parliament agrees that “09:00” be substituted for “09:15” in Rule 2.2.3 for the purpose of allowing the meeting of the Parliament on Thursday 25 March 2010 to begin at 9.00 am.
The motion was agreed to.
4. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-5971—That the Parliament agrees the following programme of business—
Wednesday 24 March 2010
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Stage 1 Debate: Scottish Parliamentary Commissions and Commissioners etc. Bill
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Double Jeopardy
followed by SPCB Motion on the Allowances Scheme
followed by Scottish Ministers’ Nominations to the European Economic and Social Committee
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 25 March 2010
9.00 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill
11.40 am General Question Time
12 noon First Minister’s Question Time
2.15 pm Themed Question Time
Justice and Law Officers;
Rural Affairs and the Environment
2.55 pm Continuation of Stage 3 Proceedings: Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill
followed by Ministerial Statement: Scottish Government’s Response to the UK Budget
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Wednesday 14 April 2010
2.30 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Government Business
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 15 April 2010
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
Finance and Sustainable Growth
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. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-5974—That the Parliament agrees that consideration of the End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1 be completed by 24 November 2010.
The motion was agreed to.
6. Approval of SSI: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-5972—That the Parliament agrees that the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Amendment Order 2010 be approved.
The motion was agreed to (DT).
7. Decision Time: The Parliament took decisions on items 2 and 6 as noted above.
8. Industrial Communities Alliance, the Real Impact of the Recession Report: The Parliament debated S3M-5895 in the name of Cathy Jamieson— That the Parliament notes the report by the Industrial Communities Alliance (ICA), The Impact of Recession on Unemployment in Industrial Britain; considers that the current recession has greatly affected Scotland's former industrial communities, including in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley and the South of Scotland; welcomes the continued efforts of the ICA to influence policies, and would welcome detailed examination of the report and engagement with the ICA on the reports’ recommendations.
The meeting closed at 5.44 pm.
P E Grice
Clerk of the Parliament
17 March 2010
Appendix
(Note: this Appendix does not form part of the Minutes)
New Bills introduced or reprinted on 17 March 2010
Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill—A Bill for an Act to make provision about the rights of patients when receiving health care; and for connected purposes. (SP Bill 42) (Executive Bill)
Introduced by: Nicola Sturgeon
Explanatory Notes (and other accompanying documents) (SP Bill 42-EN) and a Policy Memorandum (SP Bill 42-PM) were printed to accompany the Bill.
Subordinate Legislation
Affirmative instruments
The following instrument was laid in draft before the Parliament on 12 March 2010 for approval by resolution
The Census (Scotland) Order 2010 (SSI 2010/draft)
laid under paragraph 6 of the schedule to the Census Act 1920
The Census (Scotland) Order 2010 (SSI 2010/draft), laid before the Parliament on 15 February 2010, has been withdrawn
Negative Instruments
The following instruments were laid before the Parliament on 12 March 2010 and are subject to annulment—
The Water Quality (Scotland) Regulations2010 (SSI2010/95)
laid under paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the European Communities Act 1972 and section 101(2) of the Water (Scotland) Act 1980
The Road Traffic (Permitted Parking Area and Special Parking Area) (Renfrewshire Council) Designation Order 2010 (SSI 2010/96)
laid under paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 3 to the Road Traffic Act 1991
The Parking Attendants (Wearing of Uniforms) (Renfrewshire Council Parking Area) Regulations 2010 (SSI 2010/97)
laid under section 134(3) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
The Road Traffic (Parking Adjudicators) (Renfrewshire Council) Regulations 2010 (SSI 2010/98)
laid under paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 3 to the Road Traffic Act 1991
The Sea Fishing (Transitional EU Technical Conservation Measures) (Scotland) Order 2010 (SSI 2010/100)
laid under section 30(4) of the Fisheries Act 1981
The following instrument was laid before the Parliament on 15 March 2010 and is subject to annulment—
The Home Energy Assistance Scheme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2010 (SSI2010/110)
laid under section 15 of the Social Security Act 1990
The following instrument was laid before the Parliament on 16 March 2010 and is subject to annulment
The Local Government (Allowances and Expenses) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2010 (SSI2010/111)
laid under sections 11 and 16(4) of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004
Other Documents
The following document was laid before the Parliament on 12 March 2010 and is not subject to any parliamentary procedure
Ministerial Statement on the Creation of a Network of Marine Protected Areas (SG/2010/37)
laid under section 123(6) of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009
The Plant Health (Potatoes) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2010 (SSI 2010/99)
laid under section 6(1) of the Plant Health Act 1967
The following documents were laid before the Parliament on 17 March 2010 and are not subject to any parliamentary procedure—
Angus College Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2009 (SG/2010/38)—
Banff and Buchan College of Further Education Accounts for the year ended 31st July 2009 (SG/2010/39)—
Central College Board of Management Report and Financial Statements 2008-2009 (SG/2010/40)—
Coatbridge College Report of the Board of Management and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2009 (SG/2010/41)—
Glasgow College of Nautical Studies Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2009 (SG/2010/42)—
Glasgow Metropolitan College Report of the Board of Management for the period ended 31st July 2009 (SG/2010/43)—
Inverness College Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2009 (SG/2010/44)—
James Watt College Annual Report & Accounts 2008/2009 (SG/2010/45)
laid under section 22(5) of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000
Committee Reports
The following report was published on 12 March 2010
Justice Committee, 4th Report, 2010 (Session 3): Stage 1 Report on the Legal Services (Scotland) Bill (SP Paper 400)
The following report was published on 12 March 2010
Subordinate Legislation Committee, 17th Report, 2010 (Session 3): Subordinate Legislation (SPPaper 401)
The following report is being published on 16 March 2010
Scottish Parliament Statistics 2008-2009 (SP Paper 402)
The following report was published on 17 March 2010
Finance Committee, 2nd Report, 2010 (Session 3): Report on the Financial Memorandum of the Parliamentary Commissions and Commissioners etc. Bill (SP Paper 403)