This weekly eBulletin provides an 'at a glance' guide to the week ahead in the Scottish Parliament and is issued every week, except when the Parliament is in recess.
All proceedings in the Debating Chamber, committee rooms and committee meetings outwith Edinburgh can be viewed, or listened to, live in the Parliament TV section of our website.
Points to Note
Sir Tom Hunter to address Business in Parliament conference
Sir Tom Hunter has been announced as the key note speaker for this year’s Business in the Parliament conference, which will take place in the Parliament on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 June.
News release – Sir Tom Hunter to address Business in Parliament conference
Scottish Parliament supports Scotland Week
The Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick MSP and Elaine Smith MSP have begun a series of engagements on behalf of the Scottish Parliament in New York to mark Scotland Week.
News release – Scottish Parliament supports Scotland Week
Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy to return to Scottish Parliament in 2013
The Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy ceremony is to return to the Scottish Parliament in October 2013 in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Carnegie UK Trust.
News release – Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy to return to Scottish Parliament in 2013
This week in the Debating Chamber
Wednesday 18 April 2012
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Project TransmiT
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Legislative Consent Motion: Scotland Bill – UK Legislation
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
6.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business – S4M-02419 David Stewart: Devolution of the Crown Estate (for text of motion see Section F of the Business Bulletin for Monday 26 March 2012)
Thursday 19 April 2012
9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Labour Party Business
11.40 am General Question Time (for names of those Members selected for General Questions see Section D of the Business Bulletin for Thursday 29 March 2012)
12.00 pm First Minister’s Question Time
2.15 pm Themed Question Time
Culture and External Affairs;
Infrastructure and Capital Investment (for names of those Members selected for Themed Questions see Section D of the Business Bulletin for Thursday 29 March 2012)
2.55 pm Stage 1 Debate: Criminal Cases (Punishment and Review) (Scotland) Bill
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business – S4M-02194 Christine Grahame: Community Radio Coming from a Station Near You (for text of motion see Section F of the Business Bulletin for Monday 5 March 2012)
Committee meetings
Education and Culture Committee
17 April 2012
11th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in Committee Room 6
1. Youth Employment: The Committee will take evidence from—
Angela Constance, Minister for Youth Employment, and Hugh McAloon, Head of Youth Employability and Skills, Scottish Government.
2. Petition PE1409: The Committee will consider a petition by Linda Whitmore, on behalf of ENABLE Scotland, on training for education staff on learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorders.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 24 April, the Committee will consider the National Library of Scotland Bill at Stage 2. For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee.
Health and Sport Committee
17 April 2012
13th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in Committee Room 4
1. Subordinate legislation: Drew Smith to move—
S4M-02588—That the Health and Sport Committee recommends that the National Health Service (Superannuation Scheme and Pension Scheme) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/69) be annulled.
2. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will consider the following negative instrument—
National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/87).
3. Child Poverty Strategy for Scotland: The Committee will take evidence from—
Michael Matheson, Minister for Public Health, Calum Webster, Senior Policy Officer, Welfare Division, and Anne MacDonald, Statistician, Communities Analytical Services, Scottish Government.
4. European Union legislative proposal: The Committee will consider the following European Union legislative proposal which may raise questions in relation to subsidiarity—
Proposal for Amending the Transparency Directive Regulating the Pricing of Medical Products for Human Use and their Inclusion within the Scope of National Health Insurance Systems.
5. NHS Boards budget scrutiny: The Committee will consider its approach to NHS Boards budget scrutiny.
6. Inquiry into integration of health and social care (in private): The Committee will consider a draft report.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 24 April, the Committee expects to consider a draft report on integration of health and social care.
For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee.
Justice Committee
17 April 2012
13th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in Committee Room 1
1. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will further consider the following negative instrument—
Civil Legal Aid (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/64).
2. Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill (in private): The Committee will consider the main themes arising from the evidence received on the Bill at Stage 1 in order to inform the drafting of its report
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 24 April, the Committee expects to consider a number of items of subordinate legislation.
For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee.
Welfare Reform Committee
17 April 2012
4th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in Committee Room 2
1. Welfare Reform (Further Provision) (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will take evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—
Hanna McCulloch, Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform;
Jeanette Campbell, Parliamentary Officer, Citizens Advice Scotland;
Michael McClements, Policy Manager, COSLA;
David Ogilvie, Policy and Strategy Manager, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations;
and then from—
John Dickie, Head, Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland;
Bill Scott, Manager, Inclusion Scotland;
Satwat Rehman, Director, One Parent Families Scotland;
Maggie Kelly, Policy and Campaigns Officer, Poverty Alliance.
2. Welfare Reform (Further Provision) (Scotland) Bill (in private): The Committee will review the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting on 24 April 2012, the Committee will take evidence on the Welfare Reform (Further Provision) (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1.
For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee.
Equal Opportunities Committee
17 April 2012
7th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 2.00 pm in Committee Room 4
1. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will consider its approach to the Equality Act 2010 (Statutory Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 [draft].
2. Petition PE1372: The Committee will consider correspondence on petition PE1372 from Roseanna Cunningham, Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs.
3. Inquiry witness expenses: The Committee will be invited to delegate to the Convener responsibility for arranging for the SPCB to pay, under Rule 12.4.3, any expenses of witnesses in its inquiries into (a) Gypsy/Travellers and care, (b) where Gypsy/Travellers live and (c) having and keeping a home: steps to preventing homelessness among young people.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting on 1 May 2012, the Committee will consider and take evidence from the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy on the draft Equality Act 2010 (Statutory Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2011.
For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee.
Public Petitions Committee
17 April 2012
6th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 2.00 pm in Committee Room 2
1. Consideration of new petitions: The Committee will consider—
PE1423 by Gordon Hall, on behalf of The Unreasonable Learners, on harnessing the undoubted talent of public sector staff
and take evidence from—
Dr Tony Miller, School of Engineering, Robert Gordon University;
Mike McCarron, Transform Drug Policy Foundation Scotland;
Andy Lippok, Director, Resolis Associates Ltd.
and will then consider—
PE1424 by Joyce Harkness, on behalf of the "Road to Health" CPP3 team, on improving transport provision for older people in remote and rural areas
and take evidence from—
Peter Ross and Keith Jakeman, Dumfries and Galloway Third Sector Forum.
and will then consider—
PE1421 by Gail Robertson, on behalf of the Outer Hebrides Transport Group, on fair ferry fares, and
PE1422 by Wendy Barr on inequality of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.
2. Consideration of current petitions: The Committee will consider—
PE1124 by Louise Robertson, on behalf of the League Against Cruel Sports, on banning the manufacture, sale, possession and use of all snares;
PE1319 by William Smith and Scott Robertson on improving youth football;
PE1351 by Chris Daly and Helen Holland on time for all to be heard;
PE1396 by Ian Robb, on behalf of Help for Abandoned Animals (Arbroath), on the over breeding and abandonment of Staffordshire bull terriers;
PE1404 by Stephen Fyfe, on behalf of Diabetes UK Scotland, on access to insulin pump therapy, and
PE1420 by Teresa McNally, on behalf of Clacks Kinship Carers, on recognising the real value of kinship carers and giving them parity with foster carers across Scotland.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 1 May, the Committee expects to consider petitions on adverse impact of DVLA office closures, free calls to NHS 24 for mobile phones, clarifying guidelines on gypsy/traveller encampments, targeted funding for lesser taught languages and cultures at universities and a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses.
For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee.
European and External Relations Committee
17 April 2012
7th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 2.15 pm in Committee Room 1
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take item 6 in private.
2. EU Structural Funds: The Committee will take evidence from—
Pat McHugh, Investment Director, Scottish Investment Bank, and Lesley Cannon, EU Funding Manager, Scotland Europa, Scottish Enterprise;
Rob Clarke, Head of Policy, Highlands and islands Enterprise (HIE);
Sharon Thomson, Programme Manager - Glasgow Works, Glasgow City Council;
Michelle Gautier, Dundee European Project Manager, Dundee City Council;
Douglas Scott, Senior Consultant, Scottish Borders Council and member, South of Scotland Alliance.
3. Petition to the European Parliament number 1058/2011: The Committee will consider correspondence relating to a European Parliament petition on the forms of identification that can be used as proof of age in Scotland.
4. Brussels Bulletin: The Committee will consider the latest edition of the Brussels Bulletin.
5. Report on the Scottish Government's Transposition of EU Directives: The Committee will consider a paper by the Clerk.
6. Horizon 2020: The Committee will consider an update on its forthcoming conference on Horizon 2020.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 1st May, the Committee expects to take evidence on its inquiry into EU Structural Funds and to consider the latest edition of the Brussels Bulletin.
For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee.
Subordinate Legislation Committee
17 April 2012
10th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 2.30 pm in Committee Room 6
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take item 7 in private.
2. Welfare Reform (Further Provision) (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will take evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—
Chris Boyland, Bill Manager, Welfare Division, Ann McVie, Team Leader, Welfare Division, Alison Stewart, Scottish Government Legal Directorate, John Paterson, Scottish Government Legal Directorate, Scottish Government.
3. Instruments subject to affirmative procedure: The Committee will consider the following—
Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012.
4. Instruments subject to negative procedure: The Committee will consider the following—
Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/88);
Utilities Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/89);
Scottish Secure Tenancies (Proceedings for Possession) (Confirmation of Compliance with Pre-Action Requirements) Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/93);
Public Contracts and Utilities Contracts (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/108);
Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 (Commencement No. 4, Transitional and Savings Provisions) Amendment Order 2012 (SSI 2012/99);
Act of Sederunt (Fees of Shorthand Writers in the Sheriff Court) (Amendment) 2012 (SSI 2012/101).
5. Instruments not subject to any parliamentary procedure: The Committee will consider the following—
Town and Country Planning (Continuation in force of Local Plans) (Highland) (Scotland) Order 2012 (SSI 2012/90);
Act of Sederunt (Rules of the Court of Session Amendment) (Fees of Shorthand Writers) 2012 (SSI 2012/100).
6. Scotland Bill (UK Parliament legislation): The Committee will consider the powers to make subordinate legislation conferred on Scottish Ministers in the Scotland Bill (UK Parliament legislation).
7. Welfare Reform (Further Provision) (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider the evidence it heard earlier in the meeting.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 24 April, the Committee expects to consider subordinate legislation. For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee.
Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee
18 April 2012
12th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in Committee Room 6
1. Inquiry into the Scottish Government's renewable energy targets: The Committee will take evidence from—
Dave Morris, Director, Ramblers Scotland;
Gordon Ball, Chairman, Cameron Community Council;
Kelly McIntyre, Project Manager, Fintry Development Trust;
Stephen Leckie, Chair, Scottish Tourism Alliance;
Walter Inglis, Convener, Grangemouth Community Council.
2. Work programme: The Committee will review its work programme.
3. Inquiry into the Scottish Government's renewable energy targets (in private): The Committee will review the evidence it has heard to date and discuss future witnesses.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 25 May, the Committee will continue to take evidence on its renewable energy inquiry.
For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee.
Finance Committee
18 April 2012
11th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in Committee Room 5
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take item 4 in private.
2. Family Nurse Partnership: The Committee will take evidence from—
Gail Trotter, National Implementation Lead for Family Nurse Partnership, NHS Education for Scotland;
Joan Wilson, Head of Nursing & Vulnerable Children/Families, NHS Tayside;
Sally Egan, Associate Director and Child Health Commissioner, NHS Lothian.
3. Welfare Reform (Further Provision) (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will take evidence on the Financial Memorandum of the Welfare Reform (Further Provision) (Scotland) Bill from—
Chris Boyland, Bill Manager, Welfare Division, Scott Mackay, Finance Business Partner, Ann McVie, Team Leader, Welfare Division, and Susan Anton, Economist, Analytical Services Division, Scottish Government.
4. Welfare Reform (Further Provision) (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider the evidence taken on the Financial Memorandum of the Welfare Reform (Further Provision) (Scotland) Bill.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 25 April, the Committee expects to take evidence on the Local Government Finance (Unoccupied Properties etc.) (Scotland) Bill.
For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee.
Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee
18 April 2012
8th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in Committee Room 1
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take item 4 and any future discussion on the outcomes of its work on the Rail Franchise 2014, in private.
2. Rail 2014: Renewal of Scottish Passenger Rail Franchise: The Committee will take evidence from—
David Simpson, Route Managing Director Scotland, Network Rail;
Malcolm Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Angel Trains;
Paul Francis, Managing Director, Porterbrook.
3. Public Bodies Consent: The Committee will consider two Scottish Government memorandum relating to the British Waterways (BW) (PBCM(S4)3.1); and the Inland Waterways Advisory Council (IWAC) (PBCM(S4)4.1).
4. Rail 2014: Renewal of Scottish Passenger Rail Franchise: The Committee will consider the evidence heard at previous meetings.
Proposed future business
The Committee will next meet on 25 April.
For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee.
Local Government and Regeneration Committee
18 April 2012
9th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in Committee Room 2
1. Public services reform and local government: strand 1 – partnerships and outcomes: The Committee will take evidence from—
Ken Dunbar, Chief Executive, Aberlour Childcare Trust;
Duncan Thorp, Parliamentary, Policy and Communications Officer, Social Enterprise Scotland;
Hugh Cairns, Chairperson of the Scottish Mental Health Co-Operative and, Lanarkshire Association for Mental Health;
and then from—
Graham Campbell, Community Capacity Development Officer, BEMIS;
Dr Marsha Scott, Convener, Engender;
and then from—
Andrew Laing, Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland;
Neil McFarlane, Chief Fire Officer, Fife Fire and Rescue Service;
and then from—
Rosaleen Brown, External Relations Manager, Jobcentre Plus;
Danny Logue, Director of Operations, and Katie Hutton, Head of National Training Programme Policy and Integration, Skills Development Scotland.
2. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will consider the following negative instrument—
Town and Country Planning (Continuation in force of Local Plans) (Highland) (Scotland) Order 2012 (SSI/2012/90)
3. Public services reform and local government: strand 1 – partnerships and outcomes (in private): The Committee will consider the evidence received.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 25 April, the Committee will continue to take oral evidence on its inquiry into public services reform.
For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee.
Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee
18 April 2012
11th Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in Committee Room 4
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take item 3 in private.
2. Public Bodies Consent: The Committee will consider a Scottish Government memorandum relating to the Draft Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances (Abolition) Order 2012 (PBCM(S4) 2.1).
3. Common Agricultural Policy: The Committee will consider draft correspondence.
4. Work programme (in private): The Committee will consider its work programme.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting on 25 April, the Committee will consider the draft Waste Regulations. For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee.
Other Future Meetings
Scottish Commission for Public Audit
17 April 2012
3rd Meeting, 2012
The Committee will meet at 11.00 am in Committee Room 3
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Commission will decide whether to take item 2 in private.
2. Corporate governance of Audit Scotland: The Commission will consider a paper on the corporate governance of Audit Scotland.
Proposed future business
For further information, contact the Commission Secretary.
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