Note: (DT) signifies a decision taken at Decision Time.
The meeting opened at 2.30 pm.
1. Time for Reflection: Rev Iain MacDonald, Westray and Papa Westray, Orkney, led Time for Reflection.
2. British-Irish Council: The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney) moved S3M-2767—That the Parliament acknowledges the successful summit meeting of the British-Irish Council at Hopetoun House; notes the outcomes of the summit in relation to demography, energy and the ongoing business of the Council; notes also that the Council gave consideration to the global economic situation; believes that the Council is an invaluable forum for strengthening intergovernmental relationships; supports the Scottish ministers’ proposal to lead a workstream on renewable energy, and encourages them to continue to support the Council in addressing issues of real and common concern.
Lewis MacDonald moved amendment S3M-2767.1 to motion S3M-2767—
leave out from “Scottish ministers’” to end and insert—
“proposal for the Council to take forward a workstream on renewable energy; encourages Scottish ministers to work in co-operation with all the members of the British-Irish Council, and encourages them to continue to support the Council in addressing issues of real and common concern.”
After debate, the amendment was disagreed to ((DT) by division: For 46, Against 65, Abstentions 0).
The motion was then agreed to ((DT) by division: For 65, Against 30, Abstentions 16).
Accordingly the Parliament resolved—That the Parliament acknowledges the successful summit meeting of the British-Irish Council at Hopetoun House; notes the outcomes of the summit in relation to demography, energy and the ongoing business of the Council; notes also that the Council gave consideration to the global economic situation; believes that the Council is an invaluable forum for strengthening intergovernmental relationships; supports the Scottish ministers’ proposal to lead a workstream on renewable energy, and encourages them to continue to support the Council in addressing issues of real and common concern.
3. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-2781—That the Parliament agrees the following revision to the programme of business for Thursday 30 October 2008—
after
2.15 pm Themed Question Time
Europe, External Affairs and Culture;
Education and Lifelong Learning
delete
2.55 pm Scottish Government Debate: Non-Native Invasive Species
and insert
2.55 pm Ministerial Statement: Teacher Employment Working Group Report
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Non-Native Invasive Species
The motion was agreed to by division: For 65, Against 45, Abstentions 1.
4. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-2784—That the Parliament agrees the following programme of business—
Wednesday 5 November 2008
2.30 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Stage 1 Debate: Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Thursday 6 November 2008
9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Ministerial Statement: Scrutiny Improvement Changes to Structures
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Patients Rights
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: United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Wednesday 12 November 2008
2.30 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Stage 1 Debate: Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Bill
followed by Financial Resolution: Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Bill
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Thursday 13 November 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
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
The motion was agreed to.
5. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-2782—That the Parliament agrees that consideration of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1 be completed by 6 March 2009.
The motion was agreed to.
6. Approval of SSI: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-2783—That the Parliament agrees that the draft Mental Health (England and Wales Cross-border transfer: patients subject to requirements other than detention) (Scotland) Regulations 2008 be approved.
The motion was agreed to.
7. Decision Time: The Parliament took decisions on items 2 and 6 as noted above.
8. Success of First Year of Co-Operative Development Scotland: The Parliament debated S3M-1926 in the name of Elaine Murray—That the Parliament welcomes the success of Co-operative Development Scotland in promoting and facilitating the development of co-operative enterprises across Scotland since it became fully operational in April 2007; notes that research carried out by Heriot-Watt University in 2006 estimated the combined annual turnover of co-operatives and mutuals in Scotland to be around £4 billion; believes that the contribution of this sector to the Scottish economy nationally and to local urban and rural economies, such as that of Dumfries and Galloway, could be increased, and believes that government funding for Co-operative Development Scotland should be extended beyond March 2009.
The meeting closed at 5.38 pm.
P E Grice
Clerk of the Parliament
29 October 2008
Appendix
(Note: this Appendix does not form part of the Minutes)
Other Documents
The following documents were laid before the Parliament on 29 October 2008 and are not subject to any parliamentary procedure
sportscotland Lottery Fund Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2008 (SG/2008/215)
laid under section 35 of the National Lottery etc Act 1993
sportscotland Group Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2008 (SG/2008/216)
laid under section 22(5) of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000