Note: (DT) signifies a decision taken at Decision Time.
The meeting opened at 2.30 pm.
1. Time for Reflection: Ibrahim Issa, Director of Hope Flowers School, Bethlehem, led Time for Reflection.
2. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-3676—That the Parliament agrees the following revision to the programme of business for Wednesday 11 March 2009—
after
2.30 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
insert
followed by Ministerial Statement: Compensation Payments for Prisoners
The motion was agreed to.
3. Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-3651—That the Parliament — agrees that, during Stage 3 of the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill, debate on groups of amendments shall, subject to Rule 9.8.4A, be brought to a conclusion by the time limit indicated, that time limit being calculated from when the Stage begins and excluding any periods when other business is under consideration or when a meeting of the Parliament is suspended (other than a suspension following the first division in the Stage being called) or otherwise not in progress:
Groups 1 and 2: 40 minutes.
The motion was agreed to.
4. Ministerial Statement: The Cabinet Secretary for Justice (Kenny MacAskill) made a statement and answered questions on Compensation Payments for Prisoners.
5. Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill - Stage 3: The Bill was considered at Stage 3.
The following amendments were agreed to without division: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
Amendment 9 was moved and, with the agreement of the Parliament, withdrawn.
6. Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill: The Minister for Community Safety (Fergus Ewing) moved S3M-3542—That the Parliament agrees that the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill be passed.
After debate, the motion was agreed to ((DT) by division: For 98, Against 16, Abstentions 0).
7. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-3664—That the Parliament agrees—
(a) the following programme of business—
Wednesday 18 March 2009
2.15 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time
followed by Ministerial Statement: Broadcasting
followed by Stage 1 Debate: Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Bill
followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Welfare Reform Bill - UK Legislation
followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Marine and Coastal Access Bill - UK Legislation
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 19 March 2009
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
Health and Wellbeing
2.55 pm Scottish Government Debate: Scotland’s Science Framework
followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill - UK Legislation
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Wednesday 25 March 2009
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 26 March 2009
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
Rural Affairs and the Environment;
Justice and Law Officers
2.55 pm Scottish Government Business
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
(b) that the period for members to submit their names for selection for Question Times on 23 April 2009 ends at 12 noon on Wednesday 1 April 2009;
(c) that the period for lodging First Minister’s Questions for First Minister’s Question Time on 7 May 2009 ends at 4.00 pm on Thursday 30 April 2009, and
(d) that the period for lodging First Minister’s Questions for First Minister’s Question Time on 28 May 2009 ends at 4.00 pm on Thursday 21 May 2009.
The motion was agreed to.
8. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-3665—That the Parliament agrees that consideration of the Arbitration (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1 be completed by 26 June 2009.
The motion was agreed to.
9. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-3666—That the Parliament agrees that consideration of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1 be completed by 26 June 2009.
The motion was agreed to.
10. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-3668—That the Parliament agrees that consideration of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill at Stage 2 be completed by 3 April 2009.
The motion was agreed to.
11. Designation of Lead Committee: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-3669—That the Parliament agrees that the Justice Committee be designated as the lead committee in consideration of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1.
The motion was agreed to (DT).
12. Decision Time: The Parliament took decisions on items 6 and 11 as noted above.
13. The Commonwealth @ 60: The Parliament debated S3M-3449 in the name of Karen Gillon—That the Parliament commends the theme of Commonwealth Day 2009, the Commonwealth @ 60 serving a new generation, which highlights the importance to every nation of the understanding of and contribution to making improvements to lives, particularly those of young people, across the Commonwealth; notes that this also marks the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth and recognises the valuable role of the Commonwealth in strengthening relationships between nations across the world; welcomes the continued contribution of Scotland and its people to those relationships; reaffirms its support for the work of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and commends the CPA for its work to raise awareness on energy and climate change, human trafficking and all initiatives targeted at improving parliamentary democracy; also notes that, during the third session of the Parliament, the CPA Scotland branch continues to develop relationships with Malawi and other CPA branches; commends the Scottish Government for its continuing commitment to Malawi and other Commonwealth countries, and further notes Scotland’s longstanding work throughout the Commonwealth.
The meeting closed at 5.38 pm.
P E Grice
Clerk of the Parliament
11 March 2009
Appendix
(Note: this Appendix does not form part of the Minutes)
Subordinate Legislation
Affirmative Instruments
The following instrument was laid before the Parliament on 11 March 2009 for approval by resolution
The Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2009
laid under paragraph 2(3) of Schedule 12 to the Local Government Finance Act 1992
Negative Instruments
The following instruments were laid before the Parliament on 6 March 2009 and are subject to annulment—
The National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2009 (SSI 2009/86)
laid under section 105(2) of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978
The High Court of Justiciary Fees Amendment Order 2009 (SSI 2009/87)—
The Court of Session etc. Fees Amendment Order 2009 (SSI 2009/88)—
The Sheriff Court Fees Amendment Order 2009 (SSI 2009/89)—
laid under section 2(4) of the Courts of Law Fees (Scotland) Act 1895
The following instruments were laid before the Parliament on 9 March 2009 and are subject to annulment—
The Regulation of Care (Requirements as to Limited Registration Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2009 (SSI 2009/90)
laid under section 78(1) of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001
The Regulation of Care (Fitness of Employees in Relation to Care Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (SSI 2009/91)
laid under section 78 of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001
The Local Government Pension Scheme Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (SSI 2009/93)
laid under section 12(6) of the Superannuation Act 1972
The following instruments were laid before the Parliament on 10 March 2009 and are subject to annulment—
The Representation of the People (Absent Voting at Local Government Elections) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2009 (SSI 2009/94)
laid under section 62 of the Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006
The National Health Service (General Dental Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2009 (SSI 2009/96)
laid under section 105(2) of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978
The Bankruptcy Fees (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2009 (SSI 2009/97)
laid under section 72 of the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985
The Diligence against Earnings (Variation) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (SSI 2009/98)
laid under section 104 of the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987
The following instruments were laid before the Parliament on 11 March 2009 and are subject to annulment—
The European Communities (European Order for Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (SSI 2009/99)
laid under paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 2 to the European Communities Act 1972
The Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 (Saving and Transitional Provisions) Order 2009 (SSI 2009/101)
laid under section 58(5) of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006
The Repayment of Student Loans (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2009 (SSI 2009/102)
laid under section 133(2) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980
Other Documents
The following documents were laid before the Parliament on 6 March 2009 and are not subject to any parliamentary procedure—
Scottish Information Commissioner Freedom of Information Annual Report 2008 (SG/2009/19)
laid under section 46 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
Queen’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2007 (SG/2009/22)—
Queen’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2008 (SG/2009/23)—
A Report by the Auditor General for Scotland on the 2006-07 Audit of the Queen’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer (SG/2009/26)—
A Report by the Auditor General for Scotland on the 2007-08 Audit of the Queen’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer (SG/2009/27)—
laid under section 22(5) of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000
The following documents were laid before the Parliament on 11 March 2009 and are not subject to any parliamentary procedure—
Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board Annual Report and Accounts 2006-2007 (SG/2009/28)—
Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board Annual Report and Accounts 2007-2008 (SG/2009/29)—
laid under section 22(5) of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000
Committee Reports
The following reports were published on 6 March 2009—
Subordinate Legislation Committee, 15th Report, 2009 (Session 3): Subordinate Legislation (SP Paper 227)
Subordinate Legislation Committee, 16th Report, 2009 (Session 3): Legislative Consent Memorandum for the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill (SPPaper 228)
The following reports were published on 11 March 2009—
Finance Committee, 1st Report, 2009 (Session 3): Report on the draft Budget (Scotland) Acts 2007 and 2008 Amendment Order 2009 (SPPaper 229)
Subordinate Legislation Committee, 17th Report, 2009 (Session 3): Health Boards (Membership and Elections) (Scotland) Bill as amended at Stage 2 (SPPaper 231)