Note: (DT) signifies a decision taken at Decision Time.
The meeting opened at 2.00 pm.
1. Time for Reflection: Claire Martin, Holyrood Secondary School, Glasgow led Time for Reflection.
2. Urgent Ministerial Statement: The First Minister (Alex Salmond), under Rule 13.2.2, made a statement and answered questions on the Gould Report.
3. Ministerial Statement: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing (Nicola Sturgeon) made a statement and answered questions on Waiting Times.
4. Agriculture: The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment (Richard Lochhead) moved S3M-667—That the Parliament notes with concern the impact on our livestock industry, particularly the sheep sector, of the recent outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in England; calls on the UK Government to recognise its financial and moral responsibility to reimburse Scotland’s farmers; acknowledges the work being done in Scotland to support the sustainability of the Scottish livestock industry and the viability of rural communities; welcomes the review, to be led by Professor Jim Scudamore and commissioned by the Scottish Government, into Scotland’s response to the outbreaks, and recognises the need to reduce the risk of future outbreaks and minimise the impact of future disruption.
Sarah Boyack moved amendment S3M-667.2 to motion S3M-667—
Leave out from "concern" to "communities" and insert—
"great concern the recent foot and mouth outbreak and its impact on our livestock industry, particularly the sheep sector; urges Scottish ministers to implement immediately a Scottish emergency scheme for Scottish farmers and crofters and use the powers and budget available to them such as supplementing Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme payments and introducing headage payments to provide additional support to our livestock industries at this difficult time; further recognises that it is the responsibility of the Scottish Government to provide funding to address the wider economic implications of the outbreak, as was the case in 2001; regrets the time it has taken to develop practical support for Scottish farming and crofting communities, and calls on the Scottish Government to develop constructive relations with the UK Government in order to address the future challenges in our agriculture and rural industries".
After debate, the amendment was disagreed to ((DT) by division: For 59, Against 65, Abstentions 0).
John Scott moved amendment S3M-667.1 to motion S3M-667—
After "communities" insert—
"believes that the Scottish Government should introduce additional measures to support Scotland's sheep industry".
The amendment was agreed to ((DT) by division: For 111, Against 14, Abstentions 0).
The motion, as amended, was then agreed to ((DT) by division: For 79, Against 46, Abstentions 0).
Accordingly the Parliament resolved— That the Parliament notes with concern the impact on our livestock industry, particularly the sheep sector, of the recent outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in England; calls on the UK Government to recognise its financial and moral responsibility to reimburse Scotland’s farmers; acknowledges the work being done in Scotland to support the sustainability of the Scottish livestock industry and the viability of rural communities; believes that the Scottish Government should introduce additional measures to support Scotland's sheep industry; welcomes the review, to be led by Professor Jim Scudamore and commissioned by the Scottish Government, into Scotland’s response to the outbreaks, and recognises the need to reduce the risk of future outbreaks and minimise the impact of future disruption.
5. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-676—That the Parliament agrees the following programme of business—
Wednesday 31 October 2007
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Ministerial Statement: Housing
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Early Years and Early Intervention
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 1 November 2007
9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Alternative Dispute Resolution
11.40 am General Question Time
12 noon First Minister's Question Time
2.15 pm Themed Question Time
Justice and Law Officers;
Finance and Sustainable Growth
2.55 pm Ministerial Statement: Child Protection
followed by Scottish Government Debate: The Environment
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Wednesday 7 November 2007
2.15 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time
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 8 November 2007
9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Labour Party Business
11.40 pm 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.
6. Approval of SSIs: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved—
S3M-671—That the Parliament agrees that the draft Club Gaming and Club Machine Permits (Scotland) Regulations 2007 be approved;
S3M-672—That the Parliament agrees that the draft Licensed Premises Gaming Machine Permits (Scotland) Regulations 2007 be approved;
S3M-673—That the Parliament agrees that the draft Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971 (Privative Jurisdiction and Summary Cause) Order 2007 be approved; and
S3M-674—That the Parliament agrees that the draft Small Claims (Scotland) Amendment Order 2007 be approved.
The motions were agreed to (DT).
7. Decision Time: The Parliament took decisions on items 4 and 6 as noted above.
8. Can’t Afford to Foster: The Parliament debated S3M-80 in the name of Christine Grahame—That the Parliament recognises the valuable contribution made by Scotland’s foster carers; notes with concern that there is a shortage of 1,700 fostering households in Scotland, including in the Scottish Borders; further notes that, at a time when more children, many of whom display challenging behaviour, are living with foster carers than at any other time, 37% of foster carers receive no payment at all while two-thirds of those who are paid receive less than the minimum wage, and accordingly considers that the fostering network should be supported as a matter of priority.
The meeting closed at 5.49 pm.
P E Grice
Clerk of the Parliament
24 October 2007
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 17 October 2007 for approval by resolution
The Licensing (Mandatory Conditions No. 2) (Scotland) Regulations 2007
laid under section 146(5) of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005
Negative Instruments
The following instruments were laid before the Parliament on 11 October 2007 and are subject to annulment—
The Premises Licence (Scotland) Regulations 2007 (SSI 2007/452)—
The Licensing (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 (SSI 2007/453)—
The Licensing (Transitional and Saving Provisions) (Scotland) Order 2007 (SSI 2007/454)—
laid under section 146(4) of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005
The following instrument was laid before the Parliament on 15 October 2007 and is subject to annulment
The Community Care (Direct Payments) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007 (SSI 2007/458)
laid under section 90(2) of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968
The following instrument was laid before the Parliament on 16 October 2007 and is subject to annulment
The Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (Scotland) (No. 4) Regulations 2007 (SSI 2007/460)
laid under paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 2 to the European Communities Act 1972
The following instrument was laid before the Parliament on 17 October 2007 and is subject to annulment
The Gambling Act 2005 (Fees No. 4) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 (SSI 2007/461)
laid under section 355(10) of the Gambling Act 2005
The following instruments were laid before the Parliament on 23 October 2007 and are subject to annulment—
The Contaminants in Food (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007 (SSI 2007/470)—
The Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Scotland) Regulations 2007 (SSI 2007/471)—
laid under section 48(3) of the Food Safety Act 1990
The following instrument was laid before the Parliament on 24 October 2007 and is subject to annulment
The Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (Scotland) (No. 5) Regulations 2007 (SSI 2007/473)
laid under paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the European Communities Act 1972
Other Documents
The following document was laid before the Parliament on 8 October 2007 and is not subject to any parliamentary procedure
Learning and Teaching Scotland Report and Financial Statements year ended 31 March 2007 (SE/2007/186)
laid under section 22(5) of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000
The following documents were laid before the Parliament on 10 October 2007 and are not subject to any parliamentary procedure—
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Annual Report and Accounts 2006-07 (SE/2007/171)
laid under section 14(8) and 26(11) of the Energy Act 2004
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2007 (SE/2007/179)—
National Museums Scotland Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2007 (SE/2007/213)—
laid under section 22(5) of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000
The following documents were laid before the Parliament on 15 October 2007 and are not subject to any parliamentary procedure—
Sportscotland Group Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2007 (SE/2007/210)
laid under section 22(5) of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000
Sportscotland Lottery Fund Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2007 (SE/2007/211)
laid under section 35 of the National Lottery etc. 1993
The following documents were laid before the Parliament on 18 October 2007 and are not subject to any parliamentary procedure—
Registers of Scotland Annual Report and Accounts 2006-07 (SE/2007/163)—
Cairngorms National Park Authority Annual Report and Accounts 2006-07 (SE/2007/220)—
The Scottish Arts Council Group Annual Report and Accounts for the year to 31 March 2007 and the 2006-07 Audit of the Scottish Arts Council (SE/2007/221)—
laid under section 22(5) of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000
Statistical Bulletin – Reconvictions of Offenders Discharged from Custody or Given Non-Custodial Sentences in 2003-04, Scotland (SE/2007/218)
The following document was laid before the Parliament on 22 October 2007 and is not subject to any parliamentary procedure
Annual Report of the Scottish Committee of the Council on Tribunals for the period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 (SE/2007/161)
The following document was laid before the Parliament on 23 October 2007 and is not subject to any Parliamentary procedure
Scottish Elections 2007 (Part A): The independent review of the Scottish Parliamentary and local government elections 3 May 2007 and Scottish Elections 2007 (Part B): Electoral administration issues arising from the Scottish Parliamentary and local government elections 3 May 2007 (ELC/2007/011)
laid under section 5(1) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000
The following document was laid before the Parliament on 24 October 2007 and is not subject to any parliamentary procedure
Scottish Public Services Ombudsman: Compendium of Case Reports for October 2007 (SPSO/2007/09)—
Case 200501734: Dundee College
Case 200502939: Aberdeen College of Further Education
Case 200500388: Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board
Case 200500921: Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board
Cases 200501444 & 200502544: Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board and a GP, Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board
Case 200501825: A Medical Practice, Argyll and Clyde NHS Board
Case 200502714: Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board
Case 200500768: Lothian NHS Board
Case 200601149: Lothian NHS Board
Case 200601624: Lothian NHS Board - Lothian Primary and Community Division
Case 200602124: Lothian NHS Board
Case 200500980: A Medical Practice, Forth Valley NHS Board
Case 200600121: Tayside NHS Board
Case 200600187: Grampian NHS Board
Cases 200602833 & 200603448: Tayside NHS Board and a Medical Practice, Tayside NHS Board
Case 200501460: Link Group Ltd
Case 200600453: Falkirk Council
Case 200600504: South Lanarkshire Council
Case 200603413: Falkirk Council
Case 200601959: Argyll and Bute Council
Case 200501269: The City of Edinburgh Council
Case 200600977: The City of Edinburgh Council
Case 200601406: The City of Edinburgh Council
Case 200601887: The City of Edinburgh Council
Case 200603409: Midlothian Council
Case 200604086: Perth and Kinross Council
Case 200600696: Angus Council
Cases 200502021 & 200503294: Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority
Case 200601420: East Dunbartonshire Council
Case 200603161: Renfrewshire Council
Case 200603492: VisitScotland
Case 200400906: Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise Tayside
laid under Section 15(1) of the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002
Committee Reports
The following report was published on 5 October 2007
Subordinate Legislation Committee, 6th Report, 2007 (Session 3): Report on Subordinate Legislation (SP Paper 17)
The following report was published on 24 October 2007
Justice Committee, 3rd Report, 2007 (Session 3): Report on Subordinate Legislation (SP Paper 18)