Ag/S3/10/25 PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU

AGENDA FOR MEETING ON TUESDAY 31 AUGUST 2010 12 noon: Room Q1.03

1. Minutes (a) Draft minutes of 29 June 2010 (attached) (b) Matters arising

2. Future Business Programme (PB/S3/10/124)

Legislation 3. Proposed BSL Bill – referral of draft proposal (PB/S3/10/125)

4. Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee – appointment of adviser (PB/S3/10/126)

5. Local Government and Communities Committee – request to visit Brussels (PB/S3/10/127)

6. Publication scheme – consideration of any exempt papers

7. Date of next meeting – Tuesday 7 September 2010

PB/S3/10/124

PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU

POSSIBLE MOTIONS FOR MEMBERS BUSINESS

1. Bureau Members will be aware that under Rule 5.6.1(c) the Bureau has a duty to ensure that there is a period of time available for Members’ Business following Decision Time.

2. Motions submitted for Members’ Business are shown below.

S3M-6759# Margaret Smith: £1 Drop-off Fee at Airport—That the Parliament notes the proposal by BAA to introduce a £1 drop-off charge at Edinburgh Airport; believes that this proposal has not been properly thought out; agrees with many people across the capital that this is an unnecessary and unfair charge; considers that the fee will have a disproportionately negative effect on older or disabled people; notes concerns that the fee may actually be more than £1, and believes that the fee, scheduled to start in October 2010, should not be introduced.

Supported by: Mike Pringle, David McLetchie, , Gil Paterson, Hugh O’Donnell, Iain Smith, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Ian McKee, Gavin Brown, , Margo MacDonald, , Angela Constance, , , Alison McInnes, , , Linda Fabiani

S3M-6753# Jackie Baillie: Keep Leuchie House—That the Parliament regrets the decision to close Leuchie House; notes that Leuchie House is the only respite home operating in and northern England for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and is one of only four across the United Kingdom; believes that the level of care given at Leuchie House is exceptional; notes that the facility that it offers MS patients to holiday with their carer and their children is unique; notes that it has continually achieved the maximum evaluation of excellent in every area of inspection by the Care Commission; recognises that Leuchie House is much valued by service users; believes that the closure of such a specialised facility will cause a strain on families not just in the Lothian area, but across Scotland as well as impacting on other services, such as the NHS, as they struggle to cope with the needs of MS patients, and is of the view that the facility should be retained.

Supported by: , , , Ms , Dr Richard Simpson, Sarah Boyack, , , Hugh O’Donnell, , , , George Foulkes, Derek Brownlee, Elizabeth Smith, Nanette Milne, David Stewart, Jamie McGrigor, Murdo Fraser, , Rhoda Grant, Andy Kerr, Mr Frank McAveety, , Margo MacDonald, , , , Michael McMahon, Dave Thompson, Ken Macintosh, Robin Harper, James Kelly, , ,

S3M-6732# Linda Fabiani: Richard Demarco, 80 Years Young—That the Parliament notes and celebrates the 80th birthday of Richard Demarco, one of Scotland’s leading figures in art promotion and an advocate for contemporary art for decades; further notes that he has promoted cross-cultural links, taking Scottish artists abroad and bringing other European artists here, making a particular contribution to the understanding of Eastern European art between 1968 and 1989 with his journeys behind the Iron Curtain, that he was a co-founder of the Traverse Theatre in 1963 before going on to found his own gallery and the Demarco European Art Foundation, that he has been involved with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in one way or another since its inception and that he has made a contribution to the academic understanding of Scottish and European culture through his lecture work, including his professorship at Kingston University in London; also notes that his drawings, paintings and prints are held in more than 1,200 collections and that his 80th birthday will be marked by a major exhibition in the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) from 28 November 2010 to 17 January 2011, highlighting Mr Demarco’s collaboration with other artists and featuring works from Magdalena Abakanowicz, Marina Abramovicz, David Mach, Alistair Maclennan, Gunther Uecker, Ainslie Yule, Joseph Beuys, Tadeusz Kantor, Mario Merz and Paul Neagu; further notes that this honour afforded by the RSA comes on top of other honours bestowed on Richard Demarco, including the Polish Gold Order of Merit, the Cavaliere della Republica d’Italia, the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres de France and a CBE; congratulates him 1 PB/S3/10/124 on his achievements to date; looks forward to more to come, and wishes him many happy returns on his 80th birthday.

Supported by: Jamie Hepburn, Jack McConnell, Patricia Ferguson, Hugh O’Donnell, Liam McArthur, Bill Kidd, Elaine Smith, Murdo Fraser, Ms Wendy Alexander, Bob Doris, Gil Paterson, Christina McKelvie, Rob Gibson, Des McNulty, Christopher Harvie, Stuart McMillan, Alasdair Allan, Aileen Campbell, Robin Harper, , David Stewart, , Anne McLaughlin, Ken Macintosh, Sandra White, Mr Frank McAveety, Hugh Henry, Jamie McGrigor, Cathy Peattie, Kenneth Gibson, Angela Constance

S3M-6719# John Scott: British Veterans National Defence Medal—That the Parliament honours the service given to the country by members of the armed forces; believes that full and proper recognition should be given to all those who have served in the armed forces, such as generations of service personnel from Ayrshire and the rest of Scotland; supports the British Veterans National Defence Medal (NDM) Campaign, which seeks to recognise and honour military service wherever undertaken from 1945 onwards, and hopes that the campaign to award a national defence medal is successful.

Supported by: Stewart Maxwell, Aileen Campbell, Linda Fabiani, Mike Pringle, Dave Thompson, Hugh O’Donnell, Trish Godman, Bill Kidd, Jamie Hepburn, Bill Aitken, Jamie McGrigor, Elizabeth Smith, Mary Scanlon, Rob Gibson, Nanette Milne, Kenneth Gibson, John Lamont, Elaine Smith, Gil Paterson, Stuart McMillan, Liam McArthur, Willie Coffey, Jackson Carlaw, Joe FitzPatrick, Robin Harper

S3M-6708# : West Fife Enterprise, Making a Difference—That the Parliament welcomes the excellent work of projects such as the West Fife Enterprise, a non-governmental organisation focusing on employability inclusion and economic regeneration in Fife; considers that employability inclusion social enterprises in Scotland provide crucial and innovative support for people who are unemployed or find themselves marginalised in the labour market, linking potential employees with local employers; welcomes the work of West Fife Enterprise as a model of excellence in employability practice; notes that many of West Fife Enterprise’s clients are from hard-to-reach groups that face multiple barriers to sustainable employment; applauds the hard work of everyone involved in transforming lives and the labour market for the better at West Fife Enterprise, and looks forward to supporting West Fife Enterprise and initiatives like it in the future.

Supported by: Kenneth Gibson, Jackie Baillie, Helen Eadie, Bill Kidd, Dr Richard Simpson, Karen Whitefield, Ken Macintosh, Mr Frank McAveety, Rhona Brankin, , Trish Godman, Cathy Peattie, Marilyn Livingstone

S3M-6705# Jackie Baillie: See Me Campaign—That the Parliament considers the significant contribution that the see me campaign has made in tackling the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health problems; further notes that it is estimated that as many as one in four Scots will experience some form of mental health problem and that more than half of those with such conditions have experienced stigma or discrimination; recognises that the stigma associated with mental health problems can be more distressing and damaging than the symptoms of the condition itself; believes that it will take a generation to effect lasting change in society, and would welcome continued support for the see me campaign in Dumbarton and across the rest of Scotland.

Supported by: Karen Whitefield, Cathy Peattie, Marlyn Glen, Pauline McNeill, Elaine Smith, Bill Butler, Kenneth Gibson, , Patricia Ferguson, Elaine Murray, Dr Richard Simpson, George Foulkes, Trish Godman, Des McNulty, Ken Macintosh, Tom McCabe, Jamie Hepburn, Mary Mulligan, Marilyn Livingstone

S3M-6699# David Stewart: Retain Fort George—That the Parliament recognises the iconic status of Fort George, near Inverness, home to the Garrison of The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland; believes that, along with Fort George being an iconic tourist attraction, the 430 soldiers stationed there and their families play an important role in the local community; notes that, in the Strategic Defence and Security Review debate in the House of Commons on 21 June 2010, concerns were raised that Fort George would close as an army barracks; believes that any proposal to close Fort George would have severe economic consequences in Inverness and the surrounding areas as a result of the troops and their families 2 PB/S3/10/124 spending less in the local economy, and would welcome the preparation of a survival plan to save Fort George, ensuring that it remains both a working army barracks and a premium league tourist destination.

Supported by: Jackie Baillie, Ken Macintosh, Helen Eadie, Kenneth Gibson, John Park, , Elaine Murray, Mr Frank McAveety, Lewis Macdonald, Robin Harper, Dave Thompson, Jamie Hepburn, Mary Mulligan

S3M-6697# Linda Fabiani: Scottish Covenanter Memorials Association—That the Parliament acknowledges the work of the Scottish Covenanter Memorials Association in restoring, repairing and preserving the graves and memorials of the Covenanters and promoting greater awareness of Scotland’s religious and historical heritage; acknowledges the association’s recent work in Ayrshire, where, at Fenwick Parish churchyard, the renewal of the memorial to John Fergushill and George Woodburn and restoration of memorials to other Fenwick Covenanters were marked by a service of dedication held on 13 June 2010, and thanks the association for its recent work in Lanarkshire where, in Hamilton Old Parish Churchyard, a memorial plaque to Covenanters Gavin Hamilton of Carluke, James Hamilton of Glassford, John Parker of Busby and Christopher Strang of Lickprivick in East Kilbride was dedicated on 27 June 2010 and unveiled by Jeanie Strang, a direct descendent of Christopher Strang.

Supported by: Karen Whitefield, Michael Matheson

S3M-6654# Nanette Milne: Increasing Access to Self-monitoring and Self-management of Anticoagulation Therapy—That the Parliament notes that the levels of self-monitoring and self- management in Scotland for anticoagulation therapy are considerably lower than in England and the rest of western Europe; notes that the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (Yorkhill) in , which looks after all young people on anticoagulation therapy, has achieved considerable success with the training of young people to self-monitor and self-manage their anticoagulation therapy but that there is no support for them when they move to adult clinics; notes that authoritative studies confirm the cost-effectiveness of self-monitoring and self-management; further notes the Cochrane Review meta-analysis confirming the clinical benefits and outcomes of self-monitoring and self-management; challenges the view of some NHS boards and clinicians that anticoagulation monitoring and management require to be undertaken in secondary care; points to what it considers to be the costly and time-consuming practice of bringing patients from outlying areas to hospitals rather than manage them in primary care; reminds the that its policy document, Better Health, Better Care, states that “patients living with long-term medical conditions and their carers should have the information and support that they need to manage their condition on a day-to-day basis, in the knowledge that the NHS is there for them when they need it”, and would welcome encouragement being given to NHS boards to increase access to self-monitoring and self-management of anticoagulation therapy for those patients in north east Scotland and the rest of the country who, with the endorsement of their clinicians, wish to do so.

Supported by: John Lamont, Elizabeth Smith, Bill Aitken, Jamie McGrigor, Hugh Henry, Murdo Fraser, Bill Kidd, Mary Scanlon, Jackie Baillie, Robin Harper, Jackson Carlaw, Dr Richard Simpson, Elaine Murray, James Kelly, Irene Oldfather, Margaret Mitchell, George Foulkes, Cathy Peattie, , Karen Gillon, Helen Eadie, Mike Pringle, Derek Brownlee, Elaine Smith, , Karen Whitefield, David Whitton, Bill Butler, John Scott, Lewis Macdonald, Hugh O’Donnell, Peter Peacock, Rhoda Grant, Gavin Brown

S3M-6597# Robert Brown: Future of Stow College—That the Parliament notes the recent undertakings by the Scottish Funding Council to support the Glasgow Central Colleges Amalgamation project; considers that this development is likely to have a negative impact on Stow College, which has withdrawn from the planned amalgamation; believes that the progress towards this new consortium will threaten Stow’s ability to provide the valuable educational services currently proffered by the college to over 10,000 learners as resources will now be directed toward the new central facility; notes that Stow offers the most extensive range of SWAP Access programmes in Scotland, which are specifically designed to provide a route into higher education for mature adults with few or no qualifications; further notes that 40% of full-time students come from the most deprived areas in Scotland; congratulates Stow College on its 70 years of pursuing open access and social inclusion through its progressive educational outlook, and would welcome support for the continuing viability of Stow College. 3 PB/S3/10/124

Supported by: Mike Pringle, Jackie Baillie, Elaine Smith, Ross Finnie, Hugh O’Donnell, Alison McInnes, Patrick Harvie

S3M-6596# Linda Fabiani: Caring for Carers—That the Parliament notes that figures produced for the Scottish Government suggest that approximately 20% of people with learning disabilities live and are cared for in the family home by family members over the age of 65; recognises the particular concerns and needs of these families, as noted by Public Petition PE743 submitted by Madge Clark and Jeanette Kelly of the Murray Owen Carers Group, East Kilbride, which first raised the issue in the on 24 May 2004; welcomes and invites support for the Charter for Change: Improving Lives for Older Families Which Include People with Learning Disabilities, launched in Edinburgh on 16 June 2010, and looks forward to publication and implementation of the Scottish Government’s carers strategy.

Supported by: Jamie Hepburn, Michael Matheson, , Rob Gibson, Kenneth Gibson, Brian Adam, Robin Harper, Christina McKelvie, Bob Doris, Stuart McMillan, Elaine Smith, Aileen Campbell, Mike Pringle, Bill Kidd, Hugh O’Donnell, Maureen Watt, Gil Paterson, Dave Thompson, David Whitton, Joe FitzPatrick, Mary Mulligan

S3M-6596.1# Jackie Baillie: Caring for Carers—As an amendment to motion (S3M-6596) in the name of Linda Fabiani, leave out from “looks forward” to end and insert “; welcomes the input of the Lomond and Argyll Advocacy Service in making the conference such a success, and notes the forthcoming publication of the Scottish Government’s carers strategy.”

Supported by: Elaine Murray, Trish Godman, Ken Macintosh, Marilyn Livingstone

S3M-6591# Johann Lamont: Independent Living in Scotland Magazine, Rights Here Rights Now—That the Parliament congratulates Independent Living in Scotland on the publication of the magazine, Rights Here Rights Now, which is published for the first time as a 23-page supplement in The Big Issue in Scotland, on sale this week; considers that this marks a huge step forward for the rights of disabled people and that the magazine showcases the issues around independent living for disabled people to over 125,000 people in Glasgow and across Scotland; believes that its publication highlights that the independent living movement is growing in strength and influence and that independent living for disabled people is not only the right thing to do in terms of equality and human rights but is right for the economy and for the cohesion of Scottish society and Scotland’s communities, and finally, alongside the Independent Living in Scotland project, thanks The Big Issue in Scotland for its support and continued commitment to the independent living agenda.

Supported by: Jamie Hepburn, Sarah Boyack, Christine Grahame, Dr Richard Simpson

S3M-6591.1# Bill Kidd: Independent Living in Scotland Magazine, Rights Here Rights Now—As an amendment to motion (S3M-6591) in the name of Johann Lamont, insert at end “, but considers with regret that the previous UK administration led by Labour set back the interests of the independent living movement by its proposed changes to the Independent Living Fund (ILF) criteria that would restrict new applications to those disabled people who are in paid employment of 16 hours or more and that this could massively reduce the number of new people eligible for the ILF, which assists disabled people to access essential support.”

Supported by: Jamie Hepburn

S3M-6553# John Scott: Ministry of Defence Hospital Units—That the Parliament applauds the work done by charitable organisations such as Erskine (Erskine Hospital Ltd) and the treatment centre provided at Hollybush in Ayrshire by Combat Stress; also notes, however, that, while there are six Ministry of Defence Hospital Units (MDHU) located across England, none are located in Scotland; believes that, given the high proportion of Scots serving in the UK armed services, there is a strong case for the creation of an MDHU in Scotland, and hopes that discussion between the relevant authorities can progress the creation of such a medical facility for injured servicemen and servicewomen.

Supported by: Christine Grahame, Jamie Hepburn, Mary Scanlon, Linda Fabiani, Rob Gibson, , Gil Paterson

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S3M-6542# Gil Paterson: 25th Anniversary of the Scottish Cot Death Trust—That the Parliament puts on record its thanks to the Scottish Cot Death Trust for the work that it has carried out over the past 25 years in supporting families in the west of Scotland and beyond who have lost babies to sudden infant death syndrome (cot death); notes that, despite the reduction in cot deaths in the 25 years since the trust’s formation, 1,510 babies have died in Scotland from cot death and that Scotland continues to lose one baby every nine days to it; wishes to pay tribute to the trust on its 25th anniversary, and acknowledges the reduction of cot deaths brought about by the trust’s effective work.

Supported by: Michael Matheson, Brian Adam, Patricia Ferguson, Bill Kidd, Alasdair Allan, Jamie McGrigor, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Sandra White, Stuart McMillan, Christina McKelvie, Kenneth Gibson, Bill Wilson, Bob Doris, Stewart Maxwell, Christine Grahame, Elaine Smith, Joe FitzPatrick, Jackie Baillie, Bill Butler, Mike Pringle, Ian McKee, Maureen Watt, Jamie Hepburn, Anne McLaughlin, Hugh O’Donnell, , Mary Scanlon, Rhoda Grant, Trish Godman, Willie Coffey, David Stewart, Jack McConnell, Hugh Henry, John Scott, Linda Fabiani, Dave Thompson, John Park, Aileen Campbell, Elaine Murray, Mr Frank McAveety, Robin Harper, Ken Macintosh, Marilyn Livingstone, Dr Richard Simpson, Angela Constance

S3M-6498# James Kelly: Support for Sport in Scotland’s Communities—That the Parliament notes the positive impact that sport can have on people right across Scotland’s communities and the physical and mental wellbeing that it promotes; considers that the advent of the 2014 Commonwealth Games represents an excellent opportunity through sport to improve public health, contribute to Scotland’s economy and help build strong communities; notes the contribution made to this process by the Scottish Sports Alliance, and welcomes the opportunity that such benefits have to grassroots sports organisations in communities such as Rutherglen and Cambuslang, which involve people of all ages in sport and encourage the values of team spirit and tolerance.

Supported by: Jackie Baillie, Robert Brown, Dr Richard Simpson, Bill Kidd, Kenneth Gibson, Mr Frank McAveety, Elaine Murray, Sarah Boyack, Mary Mulligan, Patricia Ferguson, David Whitton, Karen Gillon, John Park, Elaine Smith, Trish Godman, Gil Paterson, Hugh Henry, Ken Macintosh, Marilyn Livingstone, Rhoda Grant, Bill Butler

S3M-6429# Cathy Peattie: Carers Week 2010, A Life of Their Own—That the Parliament notes that the theme of the 10th annual Carers Week, from 14 to 20 June 2010, is A Life of Their Own, and that, during this week, carers’ centres across Scotland will hold events to celebrate the contribution that unpaid carers make; applauds the valuable work of the Carers Week partners in Scotland, including Carers Scotland, the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and MacMillan Cancer Care, and the work locally of centres such as Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre, which offers a valuable resource to the 30,619 carers in its area; recognises the importance of supporting carers to allow them to have a life of their own and enjoy activities that most of us take for granted, such as family occasions, going on holiday, a meal out, or relaxing for an evening with no worries or responsibilities and the need to ensure that carers have access to relevant and practical information to help them with their caring role, the opportunity to take a break when they need it, support at times of crisis and an adequate level of financial support; acknowledges the contribution made by approximately 100,000 young carers in Scotland who might experience isolation, be bullied and constantly worry about the person for whom they care and experience poorer outcomes as a result of their caring role; notes new research carried out by the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and the Children’s Society, which shows that over two thirds of young carers are bullied at school, that more than half felt unsupported or misunderstood by their teachers and that 39% said that none of the teachers at their school was even aware of their caring role; and believes that the new Young Carers Strategy needs to bring together key policies and the work of a range of partners for young carers to be allowed to be children and young people first and have the same hopes, dreams and aspirations as their peers.

Supported by: Jamie Hepburn, Irene Oldfather, John Park, Des McNulty, Trish Godman, Hugh O’Donnell, George Foulkes, Sandra White, David Stewart, Rhona Brankin, Mary Mulligan, Marlyn Glen, Elaine Smith, James Kelly, Karen Gillon, Bill Butler, Patricia Ferguson, Jackie Baillie, Charlie Gordon, Brian Adam, Dr Richard Simpson, Mr Frank McAveety, , Tom McCabe, Linda Fabiani, Robin Harper, Marilyn Livingstone, Alison McInnes, Robert Brown, Ken Macintosh, Joe FitzPatrick, Elaine Murray

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S3M-6366# Maureen Watt: Offshore Valuation Study—That the Parliament notes the publication of The Offshore Valuation Study at the All Energy Conference in ; believes that its conclusions demonstrate the scale of economic opportunity available to Scotland in the offshore renewables sector, and acknowledges the report’s conclusion that the development of a European super-grid is integral to the future success of the industry.

Supported by: Jamie Hepburn, Bill Kidd, Kenneth Gibson, Robin Harper, Stuart McMillan, Aileen Campbell, Michael Matheson, Nanette Milne, Nigel Don, Joe FitzPatrick, Brian Adam, Christopher Harvie, Liam McArthur, Stewart Maxwell, Gil Paterson, Angela Constance

S3M-6362# Sandra White: The Future of Community Health and Care Partnerships—That the Parliament notes the decision by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and not to proceed with their joint Community Health and Care Partnerships; expresses concern over the effect that this may have on service users, and hopes that, through a robust analysis of the role and work of Community Health and Care Partnerships, local communities will not be adversely affected by this decision.

Supported by: Stuart McMillan, Bill Kidd, Gil Paterson, Bob Doris, Jamie Hepburn, Michael Matheson, Robert Brown

S3M-6362.1# Jackie Baillie: The Future of Community Health and Care Partnerships—As an amendment to motion (S3M-6362) in the name of Sandra White, leave out from “notes” to end and insert “regrets the decision by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to unilaterally end joint working in Community Health and Care Partnerships with Glasgow City Council; expresses concern over the effect that this may have on service users, and believes that the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing should intervene to ensure that the NHS board work with Glasgow City Council so that local communities are not adversely affected by this decision.”

Supported by: Dr Richard Simpson, Johann Lamont, Marlyn Glen, Patricia Ferguson, Trish Godman, Mary Mulligan, David Whitton, Mr Frank McAveety, Robin Harper, Bill Butler, Hugh Henry, Marilyn Livingstone, Ken Macintosh S3M-6326# Maureen Watt: Barnardo’s Scotland’s New Directions Service—That the Parliament congratulates Barnardo’s Scotland’s New Directions Service in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire on reaching its 10th anniversary; recognises the success of the programme in working with young people between the ages of 12 and 18 involved in persistent and serious offending behaviour to divert them away from care or custody; applauds the 70% of the young people who have completed the programme and reduced their offending behaviour, and further considers that the success of the programme is due to the close collaboration with its partners, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Grampian Police and youth justice strategy groups.

Supported by: Christine Grahame, Bob Doris, Christina McKelvie, Robin Harper, Kenneth Gibson, Alasdair Allan, Rob Gibson, Richard Baker, Aileen Campbell, Nanette Milne, Brian Adam, Jamie Hepburn, Stuart McMillan, Nigel Don, Bill Kidd, Joe FitzPatrick, Gil Paterson, Angela Constance

S3M-6323# Margo MacDonald: The Status of Scottish Parliament Elections—That the Parliament believes that, in order to preserve the status of the Parliament in Edinburgh and the standards of operational accountability and transparency established by MSPs since 1999 and in view of the Parliament’s acceptance of the findings of the Independent Review of the Scottish Parliamentary and Local Government Elections, there is a need for a method of holding any fixed- term Westminster elections that does not coincide with the dates set for the four-year, fixed-term Scottish Parliament elections.

Supported by: Tricia Marwick, Kenneth Gibson, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Stuart McMillan, Bill Wilson, Aileen Campbell, Sandra White, Bob Doris, Brian Adam, Cathy Peattie, Alasdair Allan, Joe FitzPatrick, Dave Thompson, Maureen Watt, Patrick Harvie, Jamie Hepburn, Gil Paterson, Stewart Maxwell, Robin Harper, Bill Kidd, Linda Fabiani, Malcolm Chisholm, Ian McKee, Angela Constance

S3M-6277# David Stewart: Frequent Passenger and Vehicle Ferry Service between Gourock and Dunoon Town Centres—That the Parliament notes the finding of the Deloitte

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Touche report published by the previous Scottish administration and carried out in conjunction with Western Ferries and CalMac that indicates that the most efficient and least subsidised method for transportation of passengers between Gourock and Dunoon town centres would be a frequent passenger-vehicle ferry service; notes the finding by Washington State Ferries that passenger-vehicle ferries are a more efficient means of transporting passengers on higher density routes than passenger-only ferries; further notes the frequently expressed wishes of dependent communities through petitions, public meetings and elected representatives for the retention and improvement of the passenger-vehicle Gourock-Dunoon town centre service, and considers that such a frequent passenger-vehicle service would have benefits in terms of competition, reduced burden on the taxpayer, community and user welfare and local economic development.

Supported by: Sarah Boyack, Rhoda Grant, Jackie Baillie, Mary Mulligan, Peter Peacock, Dr Richard Simpson, Hugh Henry, Ken Macintosh, Jamie McGrigor, Marilyn Livingstone, Cathy Peattie

Record of Members’ Business Taken by the Parliament from 6 June 2007

Date MSP Party Subject 06.06.07 Roseanna Cunningham SNP Rescue from Moving Water 07.06.07 Des McNulty LAB Alimta for Mesothelioma Sufferers 13.06.07 Karen Whitefield LAB Education is a Human Right 14.06.07 Rob Gibson SNP Scottish Norwegian Commercial Co- operation 20.06.07 Margaret Mitchell CON Motor Neurone Disease 21.06.07 Jim Hume LD Local Food 27.06.07 Andrew Welsh SNP Tartan Day Celebrations 28.06.07 David Stewart LAB National Diabetes Week 05.09.07 Sandra White SNP Asylum Seekers in Scotland 06.09.07 Trish Godman LAB Maintenance of Common Land on Scottish Housing Estates 12.09.07 Sarah Boyack LAB Save the Land Reform Act and Restore the Will of Parliament 13.09.07 Brian Adam SNP MacMillan Cancer Support’s Recovered but not Covered Campaign 19.09.07 Murdo Fraser CON Beauly Denny Public Inquiry 20.09.07 Patricia Ferguson LAB ICL Factory Explosion – Call For Public Inquiry 26.09.07 Mike Rumbles LD Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route 27.09.07 Kenneth Gibson SNP Warm Zones 03.10.07 LAB NDCS Change Your World Consultation 04.10.07 Bob Doris SNP Glasgow Milton and Chirnsyde Community Initiative 24.10.07 Christine Grahame SNP Can't Afford to Foster 25.10.07 Michael McMahon LAB Public-Social Partnership Pilot in North Lanarkshire 31.10.07 Elaine Murray LAB Further Job Losses at Young’s Seafood, Annan 01.11.07 LD Crown Estate Taxation on Harbour Developments 07.11.07 Stuart McMillan SNP Ruling on Pleural Plaques 08.11.07 Nanette Milne CON Autism Parliamentary Network 14.11.07 Paul Martin LAB Car Parking Charges at Stobhill Hospital 15.11.07 Bill Wilson SNP Perceived Norms of Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption - Pilot Studies in Scottish Educational Institutions 7 PB/S3/10/124

Date MSP Party Subject 21.11.07 Bill Kidd SNP Recycling Waste Wood 22.11.07 Mary Scanlon CON Bog Myrtle (Sweet Gale) Industry 28.11.07 Des McNulty LAB Science and the Parliament, Wednesday 28 November 2007 29.11.07 Cathy Jamieson LAB Coalfields Regeneration Trust in Scotland 5.12.07 Christine Grahame SNP Lancastria 6.12.07 Robert Brown LD 100 Years of Scouting 12.12.07 Liam McArthur LD Air Ambulance Service in Orkney 13.12.07 Bashir Ahmad SNP Standing United with Glasgow's Pakistani Community 19.12.07 John Lamont CON Support for Border News 20.12.07 Bill Butler LAB Support Project Scotland 9.01.08 Keith Brown SNP Government Powers to Ensure Terrestrial Broadcast of Sport 10.01.08 Des McNulty LAB The St Margaret of Scotland Hospice 16.01.08 Cathy Peattie LAB Young People in the Workplace 17.01.08 Roseanna Cunningham SNP Defence Aviation and Repair Agency Almondbank - No To Privatisation 23.01.08 Patrick Harvie GRN Scottish Campuses Can Go Greener 24.01.08 George Foulkes LAB Time for Fresh Debate on Organ Donation 30.01.08 Margo MacDonald IND Maximising Migrants' Opportunities 31.01.08 Elizabeth Smith CON Extra-curricular Outdoor Education for Every School Pupil 06.02.08 Rob Gibson SNP Congratulations to the Fifth Annual Scots Trad Music Awards 07.02.08 Margaret Smith LD Edinburgh Park Railway Station 20.02.08 Marilyn Livingstone LAB Supporters Direct in Scotland 21.02.08 Jamie Hepburn SNP Central Scotland Rail Improvements 27.02.08 John Scott CON Recreational Sea Angling 28.02.08 Cathy Jamieson LAB Proposed Closure of Rural Schools 05.03.08 Trish Godman LAB Scottish Wheelchair Users and their Human Rights 06.03.08 Kenneth Gibson SNP Anorexia and Bulimia 12.03.08 David Thompson SNP Make Scotland's Roads Safer - Reduce the Drinking Limits 13.03.08 Aileen Campbell SNP No End in Sight to the War in Iraq 19.03.08 Patricia Feruson LAB Celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight 20.03.08 Gil Paterson SNP Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings 26.03.08 Jeremy Purvis LD Choices for People Coming to the End of Terminal Illness 27.03.08 Mary Scanlon CON Elgin Bypass 16.04.08 Hugh O’Donnell LD A Call for Better Epilepsy Care 17.04.08 Bill Butler LAB Strathclyde Partnership for Transport Report on Glasgow Crossrail

23.04.08 Mary Mulligan LAB Yes to Bathgate Business Improvement District 24.04.08 Tricia Marwick SNP Leven to Thornton Rail Link 30.04.08 Willie Coffey SNP Fenwick Weavers' Society and the Co-operative Model 01.05.08 Elaine Smith LAB Remember the Dead, Fight for the Living 07.05.08 Nanette Milne CON Alternative and Augmentative Communication

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Date MSP Party Subject 08.05.08 Alison McInnes LD RNIB Scotland's Right to Read Campaign 14.05.08 Christopher Harvie SNP Supermarket Dominance in Scottish Retailing 15.05.08 John Park LAB Upper Forth Crossing 21.05.08 David Stewart LAB Increasing Access to Insulin Pumps 22.05.08 Ian McKee SNP National Association of Youth Orchestras 28.05.08 Alasdair Allan SNP Fuel Costs 29.05.08 Angela Constance SNP No Recourse No Safety 04.06.08 Bill Butler LAB 60th Anniversary of the National Health Service 05.06.08 Jackson Carlaw CON Holocaust Education in Scotland 11.06.08 Jim Hume LD Tackling Excess Packaging 12.06.08 Lewis Macdonald LAB Best Value Audit of Aberdeen City Council 18.06.08 Claire Baker LAB A Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme for Scotland 19.06.08 Sandra White SNP Glasgow Passport Office 25.06.08 Karen Whitefield LAB Sweet 16?: The Age of Leaving Care in Scotland 26.06.08 John Park LAB Rosyth to Zeebrugge Ferry Service 03.09.08 Ted Brocklebank CON Upgrading of the A92 04.09.08 Iain Smith LD Enforcement of Planning Legislation 10.09.08 Brian Adam SNP Shortage of Indian Chefs in Aberdeen 11.09.08 Nigel Don SNP Family Law Disputes 17.09.08 Jack McConnell LAB 2014: A Year of Sport for Scotland 18.09.08 Michael Matheson SNP Cancer Poverty 24.09.08 Keith Brown SNP Support for Veterans in Scotland 25.09.08 Murdo Fraser CON Action to Protect the Red Squirrel 01.10.08 Trish Godman LAB Action on Thrombosis 02.10.08 Jim Tolson LD Alloa to Fife and Edinburgh Rail Link 08.10.08 Christopher Harvie SNP The Kingdom of Fife and Fife in the World - A Platform of Partnership 09.10.08 Michael McMahon LAB Living and Dying with Advanced Heart Failure 29.10.08 Elaine Murray LAB Success of First Year of Co-Operative Development Scotland 30.10.08 Kenneth Gibson SNP Become Lupus Aware 5.11.08 Jeremy Purvis LD Digital Switchover 6.11.08 Nanette Milne CON Community Service Volunteers (CSV) 12.11.08 Dave Thompson SNP Welcoming the Launch of Community Energy Scotland 13.11.08 Wendy Alexander LAB Paisley Festival Company/Voices in Paisley 2008 19.11.08 James Kelly LAB Parkinson's Disease Society - Get it on Time Campaign 20.11.08 Alasdair Allan SNP Gaelic Language Development 26.11.08 Stuart McMillan SNP Sailing and Boating Continues to Expand and Contribute to the Scottish Economy 27.11.08 Marlyn Glen LAB World AIDS Day 2008 03.12.08 Gavin Brown CON South Edinburgh Suburban Railway 04.12.08 Alison McInnes LD Safe Drivers are Made, No Born 10.12.08 Jamie Hepburn SNP 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 11.12.08 Patrick Harvie GRN Communities Leading on Climate Change

9 PB/S3/10/124

Date MSP Party Subject 17.12.08 Des McNulty LAB Eco-Congregation Scotland Programme 18.12.08 Pauline McNeill LAB Dignity for Palestinians 07.01.09 Sandra White SNP Devastating Cuts At The Herald and Evening Times 08.01.09 Lewis Macdonald LAB Aberdeen Forensic Science Laboratory 14.01.09 Jim Hume LD Post Office Closures 15.01.09 Jamie McGrigor CON Future of the Bull Hire Scheme 21.01.09 Mary Mulligan LAB Shelter Scotland 40 Years On 22.01.09 Christine Grahame SNP Cuiken Primary and its School Playing Field 28.01.09 Bill Kidd SNP Knightswood Youth Theatre Announced as a Winner of Philip Lawrence Awards 29.01.09 Karen Whitefield LAB Diabetes UK 75th Anniversary 04.02.09 Murdo Fraser CON Combating Human Trafficking 05.02.09 LD Investment in Schools in North Highland 11.02.09 Irene Oldfather LAB People with Dementia in Accident and Emergency – Recognising Their Needs 12.02.09 Alasdair Morgan SNP Scottish Coastal Path 25.02.09 Nanette Milne CON Seabirds 26.02.09 Bill Kidd SNP Action Mesothelioma Day 04.03.09 Robert Brown LD Bicentenary of Louis Braille 05.03.09 Cathy Peattie LAB International Women’s Day 11.03.09 Karen Gillon LAB The Commonwealth @60 12.03.09 John Wilson SNP Pressurised Area Status in North Lanarkshire 18.03.09 Joe FitzPatrick SNP Support for Computer Games Development 19.03.09 James Kelly LAB Loss of Jobs at Vion, Cambuslang 25.03.09 Bill Butler LAB Drumchapel is Top of the Table 26.03.09 Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP Earth Hour 2009 01.04.09 Rob Gibson SNP Supporting Conventional Plant Breeding 02.04.09 Hugh Henry LAB Huntington’s Disease 22.04.09 Margaret Mitchell CON Congratulating Project Linus UK 23.04.09 Kenneth Gibson SNP The Future of the Sunday Mail and Daily Record 29.04.09 Richard Simpson LAB Developing Telehealth in Scotland 30.04.09 Jeremy Purvis LD Private Residential Care Home Accountability 06/05/09 Mary Scanlon CON International Midwives’ Day, 5 May 2009 07/05/09 Jamie Hepburn SNP Proposed Part-privatisation of Royal Mail 13/05/09 Margo MacDonald IND HBOS, Lloyds TSB Merger 14/05/09 Cathy Jamieson LAB RNID Hearing Matters Campaign 20/05/09 Peter Peacock LAB Declining Bee Numbers 21/05/09 John Wilson SNP Strathclyde Police Prolific Offender Programme 27/05/09 Liam McArthur LD Electronic Identification of Sheep 28/05/09 Helen Eadie LAB Inadequate Infertility Treatment in Scotland 03/06/09 Sarah Boyack LAB Support for Unpaid Carers 10/06/09 Aileen Campbell SNP Supporting Town Centres

10 PB/S3/10/124

Date MSP Party Subject 11/06/09 Michael Matheson SNP Larbert Rail Damage 11/06/09 John Park LAB Anne Frank Day 17/06/09 John Lamont CON Dispensing GP Practices in Rural Communities 18/06/09 Jim Tolson LD Rights of Former Gurkha Soldiers 24/06/09 Christina McKelvie SNP Supporting Social Work 25/06/09 Margaret Curran LAB St Bridget’s Chapel and Mary’s Meals Backpack Project 02/09/09 Willie Coffey SNP Campaign Against Diageo Closures 03/09/09 David Stewart LAB Insulin Pump Therapy 09/09/09 Jamie McGrigor CON Songbird Survival 10/09/09 Jeremy Purvis LD Girlguiding Scotland 100th Anniversary 16/09/09 Alasdair Morgan SNP Whithorn as Cradle of Christianity and Place of Modern Pilgrimage 17/09/09 Frank McAveety LAB Supporting the Living Wage for Scotland 23/09/09 Dave Thompson SNP Bicentenary of the Scottish Bible Society 24/09/09 Rhoda Grant LAB Giving Blood, Giving the Gift of Life 30/09/09 Rhona Brankin LAB Breast Cancer Awareness Month 01/10/09 Stuart McMillan SNP World Pipe Band Championships 07/10/09 Mike Rumbles LD Kintore Station and Aberdeen Crossrail 08/10/09 Irene Oldfather LAB Charter of Rights for People with Dementia in Scotland 28/10/09 Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP Celebrating the Scottish-Polish Connection 29/10/09 Ted Brocklebank CON New Secondary School for North East Fife 04/11/09 Bill Butler LAB Don’t Derail GARL 05/11/09 Willie Coffey SNP Conduct of Inquiries into Fatalities at Level Crossings 11/11/09 Linda Fabiani SNP Sconestone 12/11/09 Jackie Baillie LAB Citizens Advice Scotland Debt Findings 18/11/09 Jamie Stone LD Increasing Opportunities for Rural Athletes 19/11/09 Margaret Mitchell CON Deafblind Scotland 25/11/09 Jack McConnell LAB World Aids Day and Annie Lennox 26/11/09 Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP Votes for Women 02/12/09 Sandra White SNP Detention of Children at Dungavel 03/12/09 George Foulkes LAB Barred Campaign Goes Nationwide 09/12/09 Murdo Fraser CON Broadband for Rural Scotland 10/12/09 Bill Kidd SNP World March for Peace and Nonviolence 16/12/09 Claire Baker LAB 40 Years of the Open University 17/12/09 Jim Tolson LD Allotments, Community Gardens and Grow-your-own Projects 06/01/10 Angela Constance SNP Bausch & Lomb 07/01/10 John Park LAB Scotland’s Role in National Research into Asbestos-related Diseases 13/01/10 David Whitton LAB Scotland’s Investment Management Industry 14/01/10 Aileen Campbell SNP Save Lesmahagow’s Jubilee Hall 20/01/10 Jim Hume LD Community Hospitals in Dumfries and Galloway 21/01/10 Nanette Milne CON Childhood Cancer – More Than My

11 PB/S3/10/124

Date MSP Party Subject Illness 27/01/10 Christine Grahame SNP Post Office Development and Diversification 28/01/10 Richard Baker LAB Supporting Scotland’s Supported Workplaces 03/02/10 Peter Peacock LAB Improved Availability of Broadband 04/02/10 Christopher Harvie SNP Bo’ness Scottish Railway Museum 10/02/10 Ian McKee SNP The Bike Station Makes Climate Change a Local Challenge 11/02/10 Richard Simpson LAB Celebrating Scotland’s First Ever General Practice Week in Scotland 24/02/10 Liam McArthur LD Car Parking Charges at HIAL Airports 25/02/10 Murdo Fraser CON Perth 800 03/03/10 Bill Butler LAB Fairtrade Fortnight 2010 04/03/10 Linda Fabiani SNP South Lanarkshire College Unveils Aurora House, a First in Scotland 10/03/10 Sandra White SNP Commonwealth Day 2010, Science, Technology and Society 11/03/10 Des McNulty LAB St Margaret of Scotland Hospice 17/03/10 Cathy Jamieson LAB Industrial Communities Alliance, the Real Impact of the Recession Report 18/03/10 Jamie Hepburn SNP 175 Years of the Airdrie Savings Bank 24/03/10 Elizabeth Smith CON 150 Years of Armed Forces’ Cadet Movement 25/03/10 Mike Pringle LD Gilmerton Core Store 14/04/10 Hugh Henry LAB Usdaw Freedom from Fear Campaign 15/04/10 Nigel Don SNP 450th Anniversary of the Reformation 21/04/10 Charlie Gordon LAB Celebrating the Scottish Football Museum 22/04/10 Angela Constance SNP Veterans in the Criminal Justice System 28/04/10 Joe FitzPatrick SNP The Need for Nuclear Power 29/04/10 Nanette Milne CON Grampian Cardiac Rehabilitation Association 05/05/10 Elaine Smith LAB First ScotRail Industrial Relations 12/05/10 Stewart Maxwell SNP 65th Anniversary of VE Day 13/05/10 Jim Tolson LD Bluelight Initiative 13/05/10 Jackie Baillie LAB Pushed off the EDGE 19/05/10 Malcolm Chisholm LAB Lymphoedema Services in Scotland 20/05/10 Ian McKee SNP Family Nurse Partnership Programme in Lothian 26/05/10 Mary Scanlon CON Pentland Ferries 27/05/10 Hugh O’Donnell LD Employment and Support Allowance, Unfit for Purpose 02/06/10 Stuart McMillan SNP World Oceans Day 03/06/10 Bill Butler LAB Bank on Owen 09/06/10 Peter Peacock LAB Hill Tracks in the Scottish Uplands 10/06/10 Christina McKelvie SNP My Hero, My Soldier Laddie, Commemorating Scotland’s VC Recipients 16/06/10 Margaret Mitchell CON SAVI East Kilbride 17/06/10 Pauline McNeill LAB Securing the Future of Glasgow’s Subway 23/06/10 Liam McArthur LD Penalties on Farmers 24/06/10 Bill Kidd SNP Deaf Awareness Week 2010 30/06/10 Aileen Campbell SNP Perspectives of Children and Young People with a Parent in Prison 01/07/10 Sarah Boyack LAB Broadcasting Black Hole for Scottish

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Date MSP Party Subject Rugby

Record of Members’ Business Taken by the Parliament in Session 3

Party SNP LAB CON LD GRN IND TOTAL

Frequency (no.) 80 82 30 30 2 2 226 Frequency % 35.40 36.28 13.27 13.27 0.88 0.88 100

13 PB/S3/10/124

BUREAU - BUSINESS FOR WEEK COMMENCING 06 SEPTEMBER 2010

DAY MORNING AFTERNOON Monday 06 Constituency Constituency

Tuesday 07 0930-1230 Committees 1430-1700 Committees

1300 Time for Reflection Wednesday 08 Followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions (if required) 1305-1335 First Minister’s Statement on Scottish Governments Programme 1335-1700 Scottish Government Debate (without motion) on the Scottish Government’s Programme Followed by Business Motion Followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions (if required) 1700 Decision Time followed by Members’ Business S3M-6542 Gil Paterson: 25th Anniversary of the Scottish Cot Death Trust

0915 Parliamentary 1415-1455 Themed Question Time Thursday 09 Bureau Motions (if [Finance and Sustainable Growth] required) 1455-1700 Continued: Scottish 0915-1140 Scottish Government Debate: (without motion) Government Debate: Independent Budget Review (without motion) Independent Budget Followed by Parliamentary Bureau Review Motions (if required) 1140 – 1200 General 1700 Decision Time followed by Question Time Members’ Business S3M-6881 Gavin Brown: Drop off Charges at Edinburgh 1200 - 1230 First Airport Minister’s Question Time Friday 10 Constituency Constituency

14 PB/S3/10/124

BUREAU - BUSINESS FOR WEEK COMMENCING 13 SEPTEMBER 2010

DAY MORNING AFTERNOON Monday 13 Constituency Constituency

Tuesday 14 0930-1230 Committees 1430-1700 Committees

1430 Time for Reflection Wednesday 15 Followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions (if required) 1435-1700 Scottish Government Business Followed by Business Motion Followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions (if required) 1700 Decision Time followed by Members’ Business

0915 Parliamentary 1415-1455 Themed Question Time Thursday 16 Bureau Motions (if [Education and Lifelong Learning; required) Europe, External Affairs and Culture] 0915-1140 Scottish 1455-1700 Scottish Government Government Business Business 1140 – 1200 General Followed by Parliamentary Bureau Question Time Motions (if required) 1200 - 1230 First 1700 Decision Time followed by Minister’s Question Time Members’ Business

Friday 17 Constituency Constituency

15 PB/S3/10/124

BUREAU - BUSINESS FOR WEEK COMMENCING 20 SEPTEMBER 2010

DAY MORNING AFTERNOON Monday 20 Constituency Constituency

Tuesday 21 0930-1230 Committees 1430-1700 Committees

1430 Time for Reflection Wednesday 22 Followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions (if required) 1435-1700 Scottish Government Business Followed by Business Motion Followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions (if required) 1700 Decision Time followed by Members’ Business

0915 Parliamentary 1415-1455 Themed Question Time Thursday 23 Bureau Motions (if [Health and Wellbeing] required) 1455-1700 Scottish Government 0915-1140 Scottish Business Government Business Followed by Parliamentary Bureau 1140 – 1200 General Motions (if required) Question Time 1700 Decision Time followed by 1200 - 1230 First Members’ Business Minister’s Question Time

Friday 24 Constituency Constituency

16 PB/S3/10/124

BUSINESS MOTION Date of Lodging: 31 August 2010 Short Title: Business Motion Bruce Crawford (Stirling) (SNP) on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau: That the Parliament agrees the following programme of business—

Wednesday 8 September 2010

1.00 pm Time for Reflection

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

followed by First Minister’s Statement: Scottish Government’s Programme followed by Scottish Government Debate: Scottish Government’s Programme followed by Business Motion followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

5.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business

Thursday 9 September 2010

9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Scottish Government Debate: Independent Budget Review

11.40 am General Question Time

12 noon First Minister’s Question Time

2.15 pm Themed Question Time Finance and Sustainable Growth

2.55 pm Continuation of Scottish Government Debate: Independent Budget Review followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

5.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business

Wednesday 15 September 2010

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 17 PB/S3/10/124 followed by Members' Business

Thursday 16 September 2010

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 Education and Lifelong Learning; Europe, External Affairs and Culture

2.55 pm Scottish Government Business

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

5.00 pm Decision Time

followed by Members' Business

Wednesday 22 September 2010

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 23 September 2010

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 Health and Wellbeing

2.55 pm Scottish Government Business

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

5.00 pm Decision Time

followed by Members' Business

18 PB/S3/10/125

PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU

BSL BILL: REFERRAL OF DRAFT PROPOSAL

1. A draft proposal for a BSL Bill was lodged on 9 July. The proposal falls within the remit of the Equal Opportunities Committee for the reasons outlined below.

2. The proposal aims to achieve a better awareness of information needs and services for BSL users; to protect the linguistic integrity of the language and to promote the cultural aspects of BSL and the deaf community as part of Scottish heritage.

3. The draft proposal is accompanied by a consultation document which runs for 12 weeks.

4. Under Rule 9.14.5, the Bureau is invited to refer this proposal to the Equal Opportunities Committee.

Non-Executive Bills Unit August 2010

PB/S3/10/126

PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU

ECONOMY, ENERGY AND TOURISM COMMITTEE: REQUEST TO APPOINT AN ADVISER

Background

1. At its meeting on 29 June, the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee agreed to request approval for the appointment of an adviser to assist with its inquiry into the enterprise network.

2. The inquiry aims to review the purpose of an enterprise agency and examine the success of reforms put in place by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth in 2007.

Appointment of Adviser

3. It is proposed that the adviser be appointed at the standard day rate for a period not exceeding 15 days in total.

Adviser Specification

Adviser duties 4. It is anticipated that the adviser would assist the committee in all aspects of the inquiry and in particular provide expert advice on the selection of witnesses, lines of inquiry and findings and support the preparation of draft and final reports as required. The adviser will be expected to attend evidence-taking sessions where possible and especially those meetings at which draft reports are discussed. The adviser would report to the committee through the clerk and may be asked to submit papers to the committee.

Person specification 5. The individual should be a recognised expert in the field of economic development policy. Experience in at least one of the following areas is also necessary, and experience in more than one would be an advantage:

• knowledge and experience of business and economic development needs in Scotland; • knowledge of different approaches and models used to deliver economic development and encourage economic growth; • experience working with, or extensive knowledge of economic development agencies; • a thorough understanding of the economic development landscape in Scotland; • credibility in the economic development subject area, with evidence of recent work/publications; • experience in evaluating the success or otherwise of public sector reform.

The individual should also have the following skills and abilities:

• proven analytical and interpretative skills; • ability to deal with evidence from a wide range of sources; PB/S3/10/126

• good written and oral communication skills and the ability to present and disseminate data in an accessible style; • ability to deal accurately with follow-up queries and offer clarification and explanation; • ability to maintain absolute confidentiality about the matters under consideration; • ability to work to tight deadlines.

Time Commitment 6. It is envisaged that the adviser will spend up to 15 days supporting the committee. An indicative division of the time is below.

Assistance in setting evidence frameworks 1 day Overview of relevant documentation 2 days Preparation of briefings/lines of questioning 4 days Attending meetings/informal briefing sessions 5 days Analysing evidence/report-writing 3 days

Request for approval

7. In accordance with Rule 12.7, the Parliamentary Bureau is asked to give approval to the appointment of an adviser to assist the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee with its inquiry into the enterprise network.

Clerk to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee August 2010 PB/S3/10/127

PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE: REQUEST TO VISIT BRUSSELS

Nature of the request

1. The Local Government and Communities Committee seeks the Parliamentary Bureau’s approval to visit the European Institutions in Brussels on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 November (returning on the Tuesday evening).

Number of participants

2. The majority of the costs of the visit will be met by the European Commission Office (EC Office). The EC Office usually organises such visits for delegations of fifteen; however, it is content to proceed on the basis of all eight members of the committee taking part, together with two staff.

3. The only costs to be met from the committee’s budget are for travel to and from airports and within Brussels. It is estimated this will amount to £200.

Justification/Benefit

4. The European and External Relations Committee invited subject committees to consider the European Commission’s work programme for 2010-14 and to identify EU policy or legislative initiatives within devolved areas they may wish to engage with during 2010 and which are priorities through to the end of the current European Commission’s mandate in 2014.

5. The Local Government and Communities Committee has undertaken a considerable amount of work on poverty, housing and social inclusion. For example, it undertook a major inquiry into child poverty in Scotland and it continues to have follow-up evidence sessions on the issues. Similarly, it has undertaken a number of initiatives in relation to affordable housing. The committee is therefore interested in engaging with the European Institutions on the Social Inclusion Process.

6. The Social Inclusion Process was initiated in 2000 as a framework for co-ordinating national strategies and policies relating to poverty and social inclusion. The following key challenges have been identified for the Social Inclusion Process:

• to eradicate child poverty by breaking the vicious circle of intergenerational inheritance • to promote the active inclusion in the society and the labour market of the most vulnerable groups • to ensure decent housing for everyone • to overcome discrimination and increase the integration of people with disabilities, ethnic minorities and immigrants and other vulnerable groups • to tackle financial exclusion and overindebtedness. PB/S3/10/127

7. The committee agreed that it would be beneficial to its ongoing scrutiny work to take up an invitation from the European Commission Office in Edinburgh to visit Brussels, to examine the general elements of the European institutions and in particular to arrange a number of meetings to focus on the ongoing work being carried out at the inter-governmental level on the social inclusion process and the European Employment Strategy.

Conveners Group

8. The Conveners Group agreed this request by correspondence. The costs associated with this visit are below.

Travel Public transport to/from £200 airports and within Brussels

Request for approval

9. In accordance with Rule 12.10, the Parliamentary Bureau is asked to approve the Local Government and Communities Committee’s request to visit the European Institutions in Brussels on 8 and 9 November.

Clerk, Local Government and Communities Committee August 2010