SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2013 –14 Contents

Foreword from the Presiding Officer 3 Parliamentary business 5 Committees 13 International engagement 20 Engagement with the public 22

Click on the links in the page headers to access more information about the areas covered in this report.

This report covers the parliamentary year 11 May 2013 to 10 May 2014.

Inside cover photographs (from top): Deputy Presiding Officer Elaine Smith MSP hosting the VisitScotland reception in the Garden Lobby of the , November 2013 A witness giving evidence to the Equal Opportunities Committee Pupils participating in the seventh St Andrew’s Day debate Deputy Presiding Officer John Scott MSP speaking at the Rowett Institute Centenary Lecture, September 2013

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ISBN 978-1-78457-622-6

SP Paper Number 555 Web Only Session 4 (2014) www.scottish.parliament.uk/PresidingOfficer Foreword from the Presiding Officer

Although past the half-way mark of this current parliamentary session, I am very happy to report that innovation remains a high priority throughout the Parliament.

The reforms made to our sitting patterns are We introduced our Parliament Days last year, helping to make us more current and relevant, designed to get the Parliament out and about with Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) and engage with local communities directly. now able to question Scottish ministers every We were delighted with the welcome we day that Parliament meets. Our new Topical received in Stirling, Arbroath and Dumbarton. Questions are covering key issues of public concern with immediacy, at the start of each We have also worked hard to bring exciting working week. major exhibitions to the Parliament building, in our quest to attract more and increasingly Our committees’ change programme is new visitors. The Great Tapestry of Scotland identifying fresh ideas for engagement through and Pop, Power and Politics, our highly committee evidence sessions, reports and acclaimed Andy Warhol exhibition, attracted social media. This year I was pleased to record numbers. Our recent Ryder Cup chair the first-ever session involving a First exhibition will build further on that. We are Minister, where he could be directly questioned working hard to ensure that visitors leave with by committee conveners about the Scottish a wider appreciation of what their Parliament is Government’s legislative programme. able to offer.

So, whether you are an avid follower already or someone new to us, I hope you will enjoy this report on our activities.

Rt Hon MSP

3 Scottish Parliament Annual Report 2012/13

2 1 1. Ruth Davidson MSP 2. Patrick Harvie MSP 3 3. Willie Rennie MSP 4. First Minister, the Rt Hon 4 5 MSP 5. MSP www.scottish.parliament.uk/Chamber Parliamentary business

The Chamber is at the centre of parliamentary business, hosting meaningful and topical debates on a wide range of political issues, policy proposals and legislation. Weekly question time sessions, where members hold the First Minister and other Scottish ministers to account on current high-profile issues, tend to generate particularly lively debate.

Introduction speed. Our current plans for reforms are not In late 2012, the Presiding Officer, the yet completed, with the Presiding Officer and Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP, launched a others now looking in more detail at how we package of reform measures that saw the might improve the work of the parliamentary Chamber sitting three afternoons a week – committees. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – with the committee meetings taking place in the The publication of the ’s mornings of these days. The wide-reaching white paper Scotland’s Future has provided reforms also introduced more opportunities an added dimension to the debates in the for members to question and hold ministers Chamber in this reporting year. to account, with the introduction of Topical Questions on Tuesday afternoons. The Chamber Parliamentary debates, question times and These reforms have now bedded in and are the scrutiny of legislation are at the centre of beginning to bear fruit, with more scope for the Scottish Parliament’s work. Each week, in-depth scrutiny of Scottish ministers and MSPs take part in important and topical more possibilities for the Scottish Parliament debates on a wide range of political issues, as to respond to issues with greater flexibility and well as scrutinising the Scottish Government

A meeting of the Parliament in the Chamber

5 www.scottish.parliament.uk/Chamber

Debates Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP, chairing a The allocation of time in the Chamber is meeting of the Parliament shared between political parties on the basis of their respective share of seats. Each party decides on the subject matter for their debates. As the largest party, the (SNP)-led Scottish Government has held the largest proportion of debates on a range of different subjects, including:

■■ electricity market reform ■■ Scotland’s railways ■■ underemployment ■■ reform of the Common Fisheries Policy ■■ rehabilitation of offenders ■■ the Commonwealth Games and their legacy ■■ child poverty

In addition to Government-led debates, opposition through questions to the First Minister and parties and members are entitled to a share of other Scottish ministers. Members also raise debating time in the Chamber, with 16 half-day their own issues through members’ business debates set aside each parliamentary year, debates, as do parliamentary committees shared proportionally depending on the through committee-initiated debates. number of seats held. Debates on a range of topics have taken place, including the following: The business of the Parliament is proposed ■ by the Parliamentary Bureau on a business ■ ferry services ■ motion which, once approved, forms a rolling ■ student support ■ programme of business for the coming ■ cost of living ■ fortnight. Membership of the Bureau comprises ■ the NHS in Scotland ■ the Presiding Officer, who chairs the meetings, ■ living wage ■ along with one representative from each party ■ Scotland’s finances ■ or grouping with five or more MSPs. ■ corroboration ■■ stop and search powers During this year, the Presiding Officer announced the sad deaths of David McLetchie Committee debates MSP, MSP and Margo MacDonald Parliamentary committees can request time MSP. The Parliament also saw the resignation to hold a debate in the Chamber to highlight of Bill Walker MSP. Joining the Parliament, as issues and hold the Scottish Government to new members, were Christian Allard, Cameron account. Such debates need not take place Buchanan, and . solely at the conclusion of an inquiry and, The seat held by Margo MacDonald, as an recently, parliamentary committees have been independent MSP, remains vacant until the using their time in the Chamber to debate next Scottish election. subjects at different stages in their inquiries,

6 www.scottish.parliament.uk/Chamber

for example, at the outset, rather than after ■■ oncology at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary the publication of a final report. Committee ■■ fan ownership of football clubs debates this year have included: Time for Reflection ■■ Gypsy Travellers (Equal Opportunities The first item of business in the Chamber Committee) each week is Time for Reflection, which ■■ access to new medicines (Health and gives people of different faiths and beliefs Sport Committee) the chance to share their thoughts with the ■■ child exploitation (Public Petitions Committee) Parliament. Representatives from a range of ■■ welfare reform (Welfare Reform Committee) religious groups and faiths, and individuals of no faith, who have taken part this year, include: Ministerial statements Scottish ministers can use the means of a ■■ the Most Reverend Leo Cushley, Archbishop statement to the Parliament as one of the ways of St Andrews and Edinburgh of informing members about urgent matters or ■■ Rt Rev Lorna Hood, Moderator of the to make announcements on policy. In the past General Assembly of the Church of Scotland year, ministerial statements have been made ■■ Mrs Manjit Kaur Jheeta, Gurdwara Guru on a number of topics, including: Granth Sahib, ■■ Peter Kelly, Director, The Poverty Alliance ■■ Independence white paper ■■ Rabbi David Rose, Rabbi of the East (Scotland’s Future) of Scotland, executive member of ■■ helicopter tragedies in the North Sea Interfaith Scotland and Glasgow ■■ Trishna Singh, Director, Sikh Sanjog and ■■ Grangemouth refinery Punjabi Junction Social Enterprise Project ■■ Scottish Coal Industry Task Force ■■ Vann Smith and Ciara Bradley, pupils of ■■ climate change and annual emissions targets St Ambrose High School, Coatbridge, ■■ Glasgow Prestwick Airport Scotland Malawi Project – Healthy Lifestyle ■■ severe weather and planning for winter ■■ Safa Yousaf, Schools Development Officer, Amina Muslim Women’s Resource Centre Members’ business Three times per week, individual MSPs can highlight issues that would not necessarily be given prominence during the main proceedings through members’ business debates. Examples of such debates held during the past year include:

■■ protecting tenants’ deposits ■■ bank branch closures ■■ disabled people in politics ■■ no more page 3 campaign ■■ action over size 10 models and mannequins Rt Rev Lorna Hood, Moderator of the General ■■ Financial Conduct Authority’s plans to Assembly of the Church of Scotland, leading regulate the payday loan industry Time for Reflection on 25 February 2014

7 www.scottish.parliament.uk/Chamber

Parliamentary questions Motions Parliamentary questions can be oral or written. MSPs use parliamentary motions for a number MSPs have weekly opportunities to direct of purposes – to highlight an issue or event, to oral questions to the First Minister and his generate support for a cause, to acknowledge ministerial colleagues. Written questions may or congratulate an achievement or to stimulate be lodged at any time and these receive a debate on a subject. Motions are published in written answer from the Scottish Government the Business Bulletin, along with the names of that is published on the Parliament’s website. other members who have added their support to these. Six questions on current issues, from those put forward by the main opposition party leaders and Motions for debate in the Chamber are lodged other MSPs, are selected each week by the on the basis of the business programme Presiding Officer and are asked during First agreed by the Parliament. Amendments to Minister’s Questions, normally on Thursdays. these motions can also be lodged and the The Presiding Officer also invites questions Presiding Officer selects which amendments from backbench MSPs of a local and/or urgent will be debated. During the year, 3,698 motions nature at First Minister’s Questions. MSPs can and amendments were lodged, on a broad also enter their names in a ballot to put portfolio range of topics. The vast majority of motions and general questions to ministers on a are not intended for debate but address a wide Wednesday and Thursday respectively each variety of issues. Motions lodged over the week. Thirty members, randomly selected in the course of the year have included: ballot, submit their questions and these are published in the Business Bulletin. At General ■■ illegal raptor killings and Portfolio Questions, the relevant minister ■■ fixed odds betting terminals in Scotland provides an answer to each question and to any ■■ tenth anniversary of the ICL Stockline related supplementary questions (about which Plastics disaster no notice has been given). Since September ■■ doing more to support carers of people with 2012, members have also had the opportunity to terminal illness submit questions of a topical nature for answer ■■ Scottish athletes at the Winter Olympics by ministers on a Tuesday at Topical Questions. ■■ Movember 2013 The Presiding Officer selects which of these ■■ workers‘ rights in the Bangladesh textile questions (if any) will be asked in the Chamber. industry

Oral parliamentary questions answered Legislation from 11 May 2013 to 10 May 2014 Draft laws (known as bills while they are being considered by the Parliament) can take First Minister’s 215 several months to complete their three-stage Questions passage through the Parliament. When a bill General and Portfolio 1,007 is passed, it takes around a month for it to Questions receive royal assent and become an Act of the Topical Questions 76 Scottish Parliament.

5,044 questions were also lodged for written answer in the same period.

8 www.scottish.parliament.uk/Chamber

In this parliamentary year, the majority of bills also introduced. Information on the procedures were introduced by the Scottish Government. for considering different types of bill can be Four members’ bills and two private bills were found on the Parliament’s Bill webpages.

Bills introduced (17) A total of 17 bills were introduced in the Parliament between 11 May 2013 and 10 May 2014. The bills are listed below in order of the date of their introduction. Six of these bills were passed during the parliamentary year; the remainder are continuing their passage through the Parliament.

■■ Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Bill [Government], 28 May 2013 ■■ Burrell Collection (Lending and Borrowing) (Scotland) Bill [Private], 29 May 2013 ■■ Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Bill [Government], 11 June 2013 ■■ Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill [Government], 20 June 2013 ■■ Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill [Government], 26 June 2013 ■■ City of Edinburgh Council (Leith Links and Surplus Fire Fund) Bill [Private], 5 September 2013 ■■ Procurement Reform (Scotland) Bill [Government], 3 October 2013 ■■ Defective and Dangerous Buildings (Recovery of Expenses) (Scotland) Bill [Member’s], 30 October 2013 ■■ Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill [Member’s], 13 November 2013 ■■ Housing (Scotland) Bill [Government], 21 November 2013 ■■ Criminal Verdicts (Scotland) Bill [Member’s], 27 November 2013 ■■ Revenue Scotland and Tax Powers Bill [Government], 12 December 2013 ■■ Disabled Persons’ Parking Badges (Scotland) Bill [Member’s], 17 December 2013 ■■ Budget (Scotland) (No. 3) Bill [Government], 16 January 2014 ■■ Courts Reform (Scotland) Bill [Government], 6 February 2014 ■■ Historic Environment Scotland Bill [Government], 3 March 2014 ■■ Food (Scotland) Bill [Government], 13 March 2014

9 www.scottish.parliament.uk/Chamber

Acts (19) Nineteen bills received royal assent to become Acts of the Scottish Parliament between 11 May 2013 and 10 May 2014, including 13 bills that were introduced in the previous parliamentary year. They are listed below in the order in which they received royal assent.

■■ Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2013 [Government] ■■ Forth Road Bridge Act 2013 [Government] ■■ The National Trust for Scotland (Governance etc) Act 2013 [Private] ■■ Crofting (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2013 [Government] ■■ Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Scotland) Act 2013 [Government] ■■ Post-16 Education (Scotland) Act 2013 [Government] ■■ Referendum (Franchise) Act 2013 [Government] ■■ Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013 [Government] ■■ Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014 [Government] ■■ Landfill Tax (Scotland) Act 2014 [Government] ■■ Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 [Government] ■■ Burrell Collection (Lending and Borrowing) (Scotland) Act 2014 [Private] ■■ Budget (Scotland) Act 2014 [Government] ■■ Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 [Government] ■■ Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 [Government] ■■ City of Edinburgh Council (Leith Links and Surplus Fire Fund) Act 2014 [Private] ■■ Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 [Government] ■■ Tribunals (Scotland) Act 2014 [Government] ■■ Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Act 2014 [Government]

A meeting of the Parliament in the Chamber

10 Ministers and MSPs contribute to parliamentary debate on a wide range of issues. Scottish Parliament Annual Report 2012/13

Photographs of committee sessions and visits: 1 1. Welfare Reform Committee 2. Health and Sport Committee 2 3. Equal Opportunities Committee 4. Rural Affairs, Climate Change 4 3 and Environment Committee 5 5. Education and Culture Committee www.scottish.parliament.uk/Committees Committees

The Parliament has different kinds of committee. There are mandatory and subject committees, and it can also establish committees or sub-committees to consider particular issues or pieces of legislation.

Several changes took place this year. The Subordinate Legislation Committee changed its name to the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee in June 2013 to reflect a new, wider role; and three committees were established to consider the private bills of their respective titles: the City of Edinburgh Council (Portobello Park) Bill Committee was established on 29 May 2013, the Burrell Collection (Lending and Borrowing) (Scotland) Bill Committee was established on 12 June 2013 and sat until the bill was passed in January 2014, and the City of Edinburgh Council (Leith Links and Surplus Fire Fund) Bill Committee was established on 18 September 2013 and sat until the bill was passed in February 2014.

For more information about a committee, click on its name in the list below. Each mandatory and subject committee publishes its own annual report and you will find links to these under the membership details for the committee.

Burrell Collection (Lending and Borrowing) (Scotland) Bill Committee

Members: Mark Griffin Gordon MacDonald

Convener: Joan McAlpine

City of Edinburgh Council (Leith Links and Surplus Fire Fund) Bill Committee

Members: Bruce Crawford Anne McTaggart Sandra White

Convener: John Lamont

13 www.scottish.parliament.uk/Committees

City of Edinburgh Council (Portobello Park) Bill Committee

Members: James Dornan Alison McInnes Fiona McLeod

Convener: Siobhan McMahon

Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee

Members: Mike MacKenzie (until 03.09.13) Christian Allard (16.05.13–07.11.13) (until 03.09.13) John Scott Richard Baker Margaret McCulloch Stewart Stevenson (from 03.09.13) (from 03.09.13) Convener: Jim Eadie Stuart McMillan Nigel Don (until 16.05.13) (from 07.11.13) Annual Report Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee

Members: Dennis Robertson Christian Allard Mike MacKenzie David Torrance (07.11.13–03.04.14) Hanzala Malik (until 27.06.13) Richard Baker (03.09.13–26.02.14) (from 26.02.14) Joan McAlpine Convener: Marco Biagi (from 03.04.14) Mark McDonald (27.06.13–07.11.13) Margaret McDougall (until 03.09.13) Annual Report Education and Culture Committee

Members: Liam McArthur George Adam Mary Scanlon (from 27.02.14) Clare Adamson (until 03.09.13) Gordon MacDonald Liz Smith (from 03.09.13) (from 03.04.14) (until 27.02.14) Convener: Colin Beattie Joan McAlpine (until 03.04.14) Annual Report

14 www.scottish.parliament.uk/Committees

Equal Opportunities Committee

Members: John Mason (member and Christian Allard Siobhan McMahon convener until (from 16.05.13) Dennis Robertson 03.09.13) Marco Biagi (until 16.05.13) John Finnie Convener: Alex Johnstone Margaret McCulloch (from 05.09.13) Annual Report European and External Relations Committee

Members: (19.12.13–25.02.14) Clare Adamson Roderick Campbell Hanzala Malik Willie Coffey Jamie McGrigor Helen Eadie Alex Rowley Convener: (until 09.11.13) (from 25.02.14) Christina McKelvie Annual Report Finance Committee

Members: Michael McMahon Gavin Brown Jean Urquhart Jamie Hepburn John Mason Convener: Kenneth Gibson Annual Report Health and Sport Committee

Members: Mark McDonald (until 14.05.13; (until 03.09.13) Bob Doris 27.06.13–07.11.13) Rhoda Grant David Torrance (until 27.06.13) (from 03.09.13) Aileen McLeod Colin Keir Nanette Milne Convener: (from 07.11.13) Gil Paterson Duncan McNeil Richard Lyle Dr Richard Simpson (from 16.05.13) Annual Report

15 www.scottish.parliament.uk/Committees

Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee

Members: Adam Ingram (until 03.09.13) Jim Eadie Alex Johnstone Mary Fee Gordon MacDonald (from 03.09.13) Margaret McCulloch Mark Griffin (until 03.09.13) Convener: (from 03.09.13) Maureen Watt Annual Report Justice Committee

Members: Elaine Murray (until 03.09.13) (from 03.09.13) Christian Allard (from 07.11.13) Alison McInnes (until 03.09.13) Roderick Campbell David McLetchie (until 12.08.13) John Finnie John Pentland Convener: (from 03.09.13) Colin Keir Margaret Mitchell (from 10.09.13) (until 07.11.13) Sandra White Annual Report Justice Sub-Committee on Policing

Members: Margaret Mitchell John Finnie Graeme Pearson Alison McInnes Kevin Stewart

Local Government and Regeneration Committee

Members: Stuart McMillan Alex Rowley (from 25.02.14) Richard Baker Anne McTaggart (03.09.13–25.02.14) Margaret Mitchell Stewart Stevenson (until 07.11.13) Cameron Buchanan (until 11.09.13) (from 11.09.13) John Pentland John Wilson Convener: Mark McDonald (until 03.09.13) Kevin Stewart (from 07.11.13) Annual Report

16 www.scottish.parliament.uk/Committees

National Trust for Scotland (Governance etc) Bill Committee

Members: Jayne Baxter James Dornan Jamie McGrigor Convener: Fiona McLeod

Public Audit Committee

Members: James Dornan Colin Keir Colin Beattie (member and Willie Coffey (from 03.09.13) convener until Bruce Crawford Mary Scanlon 03.09.13) (from 08.05.14) Tavish Scott Convener: Mark Griffin Bob Doris (until 03.09.13) (until 08.05.14) (from 18.09.13) Annual Report Public Petitions Committee

Members: Anne McTaggart Chic Brodie David Torrance (from 27.06.13) Jackson Carlaw Adam Ingram John Wilson (until 27.06.13) Convener: David Stewart Angus MacDonald Annual Report Referendum (Scotland) Bill Committee

Members: Annabel Goldie Stewart Maxwell Annabelle Ewing Patrick Harvie Stuart McMillan James Kelly Tavish Scott (until 03.09.13) Patricia Ferguson Drew Smith (until 03.09.13) (from 03.09.13) Convener: (from 03.09.13) Bruce Crawford Rob Gibson

17 www.scottish.parliament.uk/Committees

Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee

Members: Alex Fergusson Angus MacDonald Jayne Baxter Cara Hilton Dave Thompson (until 31.10.13) (from 31.10.13) (from 03.04.14) Jim Hume Graeme Dey Richard Lyle Convener: (until 03.04.14) Rob Gibson Nigel Don Annual Report Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Members: John Lamont David Thompson (until 10.09.13) (member and George Adam convener until (from 16.05.13) Richard Lyle 07.11.13) Cameron Buchanan Margaret McCulloch (from 10.09.13) (until 03.09.13) Convener: Helen Eadie Margaret McDougall Stewart Stevenson (until 09.11.13) (from 03.09.13) (from 21.11.13) Cara Hilton Fiona McLeod (from 19.12.13) Annual Report Welfare Reform Committee

Members: Jamie Hepburn Annabelle Ewing Alex Johnstone Linda Fabiani Ken Macintosh (from 03.09.13) Iain Gray (until 03.09.13) Kevin Stewart Convener: Michael McMahon Annual Report

18 Photographs of committee sessions and visits: 1. Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee 1 2 2. European and External 3 Relations Committee 3. Infrastructure and Capital 4 Investment Committee 4. Equal Opportunities Committee 5 5. Education and Culture Committee www.scottish.parliament.uk/International International engagement

Over the course of the year, 60 inward The Scottish Parliament continued to delegations visited the Scottish Parliament. engage with legislatures in the Western Balkans through partnership working with the Visitors included Speakers, Members Westminster Foundation for Democracy and of Parliament, Ambassadors and High the Western Balkans Network of Parliamentary Commissioners from all corners of the globe. Committees for Economy, Finance and Some highlights included visits from: European Integration. The Scottish Parliament hosted the Board of the Network, while ■■ the Ambassador of the United States of Liam McArthur MSP and Murdo Fraser America, Matthew W Barzun MSP addressed meetings of the Network in ■■ the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Montenegro and Serbia respectively. British Columbia, the Hon Linda Reid MLA ■■ the High Commissioner of Australia, The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association His Excellency, the Hon Mike Rann (CPA) Scotland Branch undertook a wide ■■ the President of the Parliament of Wallonia, range of work in 2013-14, including hosting Mr Patrick Dupriez an international conference on 15 and ■■ the High Commissioner of Zambia, 16 March 2014. The conference, entitled His Excellency, Mr Paul William Lumbi ‘Enhancing the Participation of Women in Politics’, explored the experiences of female In July 2013, the Scottish Parliament hosted parliamentarians and the representation a symposium of Legislative Leaders of the of women in politics. Around 50 female National Conference of State Legislatures parliamentarians and observers attended the (NCSL). The symposium brought together inaugural Conference of the British Islands and more than 50 Speakers, Majority and Minority Mediterranean Region Commonwealth Women Leaders, representing 29 States and three Parliamentarians. The Speaker of the Gauteng commonwealths and territories of the United Provincial Parliament of South Africa delivered States of America. Delegates discussed a wide the keynote speech at the conference. range of topics including: The Scottish Parliament delegation to the ■■ the impact of the Scottish diaspora on the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA), making of the USA led by Deputy Presiding Officer John Scott ■■ the constitutional debate in Scotland and MSP, attended two plenary sessions during the UK 2013-14, in London and . This bi-annual ■■ the global economic outlook and the impact plenary provides MSPs with the opportunity on US State budgets to discuss issues of shared concern with ■■ doing business in Scotland and the US colleagues from across the parliaments and ■■ global energy supply and demand assemblies of the British Isles. Members were ■■ legislative leadership addressed by, and had a question and answer ■■ social media and legislatures session with, the Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny TD at the recent plenary session in Dublin.

20 1. The Presiding Officer and the Ambassador of the United States of America, Mr Matthew W Barzun 2. Members of the CPA Scotland Branch, Patricia Ferguson MSP, Margaret Mitchell MSP and Sandra White MSP, are pictured with delegates and observers at the conference of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians. 3. The Presiding Officer (front right) and the then President of NCSL, Terie Norelli (front left), are pictured with symposium delegates. 4. Liam McArthur MSP addresses delegates at the meeting of the Western Balkans Network of Parliamentary Committees for 1 2 Economy, Finance and European Integration. 3 5. The Presiding Officer (right), Linda Fabiani MSP (centre) and 4 Rhoda Grant MSP (left) hold the finishing line tape at the Scotland 5 Run in Central Park, New York City, during Scotland Week 2014. www.scottish.parliament.uk/ParliamentDays Engagement with the public

The Parliament’s engagement with the people of Scotland has continued this year through a range of activities at Holyrood and across Scotland, including high-profile events and popular exhibitions. In addition to taking the opportunities offered by Parliament Days to speak to members about issues of importance in their local areas, nearly 30,000 people attended events, conferences, briefings, receptions and performances in the Parliament, which provided further occasions for interaction with MSPs.

Parliament Days watched pupils from Cowie Primary School Continuing the programme launched by the perform a drama and dance presentation Presiding Officer in November 2012, three promoting healthy eating and physical activity. Parliament Days took place this year in the At its formal meeting, the committee took Central Scotland, North East Scotland and West evidence on health inequalities from NHS Scotland parliamentary regions. This initiative Forth Valley, Stirling Council, Stirlingshire takes the Parliament out of Edinburgh for people Voluntary Enterprise and Forth Valley College. around the country to see it at work, be it ‘official’ business or engagement on a less formal level. The Deputy Presiding Officer Elaine Smith It provides an opportunity for people to meet MSP and Bruce Crawford, the constituency those involved with the Parliament in different MSP for Stirling, valued their visits to Red Kite roles – MSPs, the Presiding Officer and staff Community Nursery, Recyke-a-bike, Start-up – and seeks to inspire local people to take an Stirling Crisis Food Bank and Stirling Citizens interest in and engage directly with the work of Advice Bureau. their Parliament. Saturday 22 June saw the first regional Parliament Day Stirling Communities Conference to be held outside On Thursday 20 June 2013, a civic reception Holyrood. More than 80 delegates from local was held at Forth Valley College’s Stirling groups and organisations commented on campus, with a programme showcasing local how enjoyable the day was and the value of musical and dramatic talents and including a holding it locally, as well as how much they presentation by two young carers. had learnt from their MSPs, the panel experts and Parliament staff. The event will be offered The Health and Sport Committee members at some future Parliament Days, based on this were out and about on Friday 21 June, hearing successful trial. about Cultenhove Opportunities Partnership, a social enterprise that is working to improve Parliament Day Arbroath residents’ self-esteem and confidence. Members Invited guests joined the Presiding Officer and then visited Stirling Community Hospital, MSPs at a reception at the Webster Memorial where they heard about Town Break Stirling, Theatre on Sunday 3 November, at which young a project supporting people with dementia, and people from PRAXIS Life Skills Centre gave an insightful and informative presentation.

22 1. Pupils from Our Lady’s Primary School, 1 Raploch, promoting the Parliament’s visit to Stirling in June 2013 2 2. The Presiding Officer with puppets from Sesame Tree at the launch of the Andrew 3 Carnegie exhibition. Puppets courtesy and 4 copyright of Sesame Workshop 5 3. Pupils participating in the seventh St Andrew’s Day debate 4. Photographs for the World Press Photo 2013 exhibition being unpacked. Photograph: copyright Wei Seng Chen 5. Pupils from the Glasgow Gaelic School taking part in the BT Gaelic Schools debate www.scottish.parliament.uk/EventsAndExhibitions

On Monday 4 November 2013, the Finance the MSPs met with West Dunbartonshire Committee offered local business people and Council elected representatives and officials. organisations a chance to have their say on the proposed Scottish budget for 2014-15 At its formal meeting in the Burgh Hall in the in workshops with MSPs. In the afternoon, evening, the committee took evidence on the committee took evidence from John the Housing (Scotland) Bill from the Tenant Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Information Service, Central Region Tenants Employment and Sustainable Growth. Network, and Argyll and Bute Tenants Among those who came along to observe Network, Glasgow and Eilean Siar Tenants the Parliament in action were students from Network, and the Tenant Participation Advisory Montrose Academy, Arbroath High School and Service, Scotland. and Angus College. While regional MSPs for West Scotland beat a The Presiding Officer and Graeme Dey, the path to local schools to find out what matters to constituency MSP for Angus South, enjoyed young people in the area, the Presiding Officer visiting Angus Training Group, Iain R Spink (to and , the constituency MSP for find out how Arbroath Smokies are traditionally Dumbarton, appreciated their visits to a range made), MacKay’s Boatyard, Dundee and Angus of venues: Café Connect, a not-for-profit social College and the award-winning Darling’s enterprise for adults with learning disabilities Coffee Shop, set up by Enable Scotland. run by West Dunbartonshire Council; the BBC A variety of local organisations and groups Scotland studios where River City is filmed; attended the lunch at the college to discuss St Augustine’s Church Community Hall, where their issues and network. they met a range of local groups over lunch; and Rockvale Rebound, an award-winning Parliament Day Dumbarton talking newspaper. The Presiding Officer’s reception was held in the Burgh Hall on Sunday 23 February 2014, Events where guests were entertained by pupils from Our Lady’s and St Patrick’s Secondary School. Events and exhibitions continue to be key features of the Parliament’s engagement On Monday 24 February, the focus was on the strategy. They provide an important opportunity Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee for people of all ages and from a range of not- and its scrutiny of the Housing (Scotland) Bill. for-profit, business and umbrella organisations This was the first time that bill scrutiny had to engage with MSPs as individuals and with featured as part of a Parliament Day, and it was the Parliament as an institution to discuss the also the first time ever that a committee had issues that are of importance to them. Events held a formal external meeting in the evening. this year have included:

The committee started its day with a question ■■ the final of Euroquiz 2013 and answer session with pupils from Dumbarton ■■ the final of the Memorial Academy, then met informally with tenants, Debating Competition residents’ groups and representatives of housing ■■ the annual Business in the Parliament associations to gather information and views to Conference feed into the formal meeting. Later in the afternoon, ■■ the annual Consular Corps Burns Supper ■■ an event to mark International Women’s Day

24 1. Prints of The Proclaimers produced to commemorate the Pop Art Prints Workshop held during the Pop, Power and Politics exhibition. Print design: copyright The Printmakers Workshop 2. The Presiding Officer (centre) and 1 Graeme Dey MSP (left) watch Arbroath Smokies being made 2 3 3. The Presiding Officer (right) and Jackie Baillie MSP (left) at Rockvale Rebound 4 4. Pupils competing in the final of Euroquiz 2013 www.scottish.parliament.uk/EventsAndExhibitions

Festival of Politics Photo 2013 exhibition, which featured works The newly formatted 2013 Festival of Politics, in by 54 photographers, selected by the World partnership with the Carnegie UK Trust, which Press Photo jury from images submitted by had a shorter, sharper and more focused more than 5,000 international photographers. programme over the weekend of Friday 23 to Sunday 25 August, was attended by 4,500 The Great Tapestry of Scotland exhibition of people. The 2013 theme was Scotland’s Place more than 150 embroidered tapestry panels in the World and the programme included events, illustrating Scottish history was displayed discussions, drama and film on a range of topics in the Main Hall of the Parliament from such as Europe, economy, identity and defence. Tuesday 3 to Saturday 21 September 2013 The newly introduced Festival Café Bar and attracted more than 37,000 visitors. An provided a space where people could continue ambitious community arts project involving discussions with panellists once events had 1,000 volunteer stitchers, it was developed by finished, enjoy refreshments and be entertained writer Alexander McCall Smith, artist Andrew with a programme of live performances. Crummy and historical writer Alistair Moffat.

Andrew Carnegie’s International Legacy: In addition to the programme of events Shaping the Future demonstrating the huge impact made by Andrew From Saturday 12 to Saturday 19 October 2013, Carnegie and the network of charitable Andrew Carnegie’s International Legacy Week organisations he endowed, the Parliament hosted celebrated the impact made by the Scots-American two major public exhibitions about Warhol’s work philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and the global and Carnegie’s philanthropic legacy: in partnership network of trusts and foundations he endowed. with the Carnegie UK Trust, Andy Warhol: Pop, Events were spread across the week, with Power and Politics, from Saturday 5 October to the highlight being the Carnegie Medal of Sunday 3 November; and Andrew Carnegie: The Philanthropy Award Ceremony in the Debating legacy that changed the world, from Tuesday Chamber, chaired by the Presiding Officer. 15 October 2013 to Saturday 25 January 2014, in partnership with Carnegie Dunfermline Trust and Exhibitions Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum, and as a More than 180,000 visitors to the building result of support from the Carnegie Corporation had an opportunity to view a diverse range of of New York. exhibitions this year. Works by artist George Wyllie acquired for the From Tuesday 30 July to Sunday 25 August, Parliament Art Collection went on public the Scottish Parliament – the only parliament display in March 2014, along with loans from to do so – hosted the prestigious World Press the George Wyllie Foundation and the Wyllie family. The Parliament acquired Contemplace, a maquette for Berlin Burd and three works on paper about the giant Berlin Burd displayed at the Berlin Wall in 1988.

The Ryder Cup Heritage exhibition, containing memorabilia exploring the history of the iconic A panel from the Great Tapestry golf event and its past players, opened to the of Scotland exhibition public on Wednesday 30 April 2014 to mark Scotland’s hosting of the 2014 Ryder Cup. 26 www.scottish.parliament.uk

Engagement The Scottish Parliament shares its information through a range of channels, providing members of the public with opportunities to engage in two-way communication and have an impact on its work. Below are some examples showing the level of engagement over the past year.

More than 335,000 visitors More than More than 10 million 3,500 likes page views of the of the Parliament’s Scottish Parliament website Facebook page 40 new petitions lodged and considered More than by the Public Petitions More than Committee 6,400 400 enquiries member-sponsored from members of the public events and exhibitions

More than 24,000 followers on Twitter and More than 24,700 24,900 people 1,000 followers students took part in for @ParlAlba, our Gaelic went on a tour Twitter feed education sessions

27 David McLetchie MSP 1952–2013 We were very sad to learn of the passing of David McLetchie MSP, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Lothian, on Monday 12 August 2013. David had been a Member of the Scottish Parliament since 1999 and his substantial contribution was commemorated during a debate on a Motion of Condolence in the parliamentary Chamber on Tuesday 3 September.

Helen Eadie MSP 1947–2013 We were very sad to learn of the passing of Helen Eadie MSP, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Cowdenbeath, on Saturday 9 November 2013. Helen had been a Member of the Scottish Parliament since 1999 and her substantial contribution was commemorated during a debate on a Motion of Condolence in the parliamentary Chamber on Wednesday 20 November.

Margo MacDonald MSP 1943–2014 We were very sad to learn of the passing of Margo MacDonald MSP, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Lothian, on Friday 4 April 2014. Margo had been a Member of the Scottish Parliament since 1999 and her substantial contribution was commemorated during a debate on a Motion of Condolence in the parliamentary Chamber on Tuesday 22 April.

28 www.scottish.parliament.uk

How to contact us Public information provides information about the business, membership and procedures of the Scottish Parliament.

Public Information The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP 0800 092 7500 0131 348 5000 0131 348 5395 (Gàidhlig) We also welcome calls using the Text Relay service. Text the Scottish Parliament on 07786 209888 [email protected]

www.scottish.parliament.uk

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For information in languages other than English or in alternative formats (for example, in Braille, large print or audio), please send your enquiry to public information. LC17230 - 06/14

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