AG/S5/17/13
PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU
AGENDA FOR MEETING ON TUESDAY 25 APRIL 2017 12noon: Room Q1.03
1. Minutes (a) Draft minutes of 18 April 2017
(b) Matters arising
2. Future business programme (PB/S5/17/59)
3. Procedural motions Approval of a Scottish Statutory Instrument (PB/S5/17/60)
4. Publication scheme – consideration of any exempt papers
Date of next meeting – Tuesday 2 May @ 12noon
PB/S5/17/59
PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU
MEETINGS OF THE PARLIAMENT: PROGRAMME OF BUSINESS
1. This paper sets out the programme of business for the week commencing 24 April 2017 and a proposed programme of business for the weeks commencing 1 and 8 May 2017.
2. The programme is proposed by the Minister for Parliamentary Business for discussion and agreement by the Parliamentary Bureau.
Parliamentary Business Team April 2017
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BUREAU - BUSINESS FOR WEEK COMMENCING 24 APRIL 2017
DAY MORNING AFTERNOON Monday 24 Constituency Constituency April Tuesday 25 0900-1300 Committees 1400 Time for Reflection
Followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motion (if required)
1405-1420 Topical Questions
1420-1620 Scottish Government Debate: Child Tax Credit Cuts
1620-1818 Stage 1 Debate: Air Departure Tax (Scotland) Bill
1818-1819 Financial Resolution: Air Departure Tax (Scotland) Bill
1819-1820 Legislative Consent Motion: Criminal Finances Bill
1820 Decision Time
Followed by Members’ Business Motion S5M- 04248 Maurice Golden: WWF Earth Hour 2017
Wednesday 26 0900-1300 Committees 1400 Parliamentary Bureau Motion (if required)
1400-1440 Portfolio Question Time: Justice and the Law Officers; Culture, Tourism and External Affairs
1440-1700 Green Party Business: Carers and Social Care
Followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motion (if required)
1700 Decision Time
Followed by Members’ Business Motion S5M- 04021 George Adam: MS Awareness Week
Thursday 27 0900-1100 Committees 1430 Parliamentary Bureau Motion (if required)
1430-1500 Ministerial Statement: Social Security Agency
1430-1659 Stage 1 Debate: Limitation Childhood Abuse (Scotland) Bill 1140-1200 General Questions 1659-1700 Financial Resolution: Limitation 1200-1245 First Minister’s Question Childhood Abuse (Scotland) Bill Time Followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motion (if Followed by Members’ Business required) Motion S5M-04708: Neil Findlay: Flawed Airport Consultation 1700 Decision Time
Friday 28 Constituency Constituency
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BUREAU - BUSINESS FOR WEEK COMMENCING 1 MAY 2017
DAY MORNING AFTERNOON Monday 01 Constituency Constituency May
Tuesday 02 0900-1300 Committees 1400 Time for Reflection
Followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motion (if required)
1405-1420 Topical Questions
1420-1540 Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee Debate: Deer Management
1540-1700 Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee Debate: Review of Priorities for Crofting Law Reform
1700 Decision Time
Followed by Members’ Business Motion S5M- 04581 John Finnie: Ship-to-ship Oil Transfers in the Cromarty and Moray Firths
Wednesday 03 0900-1300 Committees 1330 Parliamentary Bureau Motion (if required)
1330-1415 First Minister’s Question Time
1415-1435 General Questions
1435-1515 Portfolio Question Time: Education and Skills
Followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motion (if required)
1515 Decision Time (if required)
Thursday 04 No Business No Business
Friday 05 Constituency Constituency
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BUREAU - BUSINESS FOR WEEK COMMENCING 8 MAY 2017
DAY MORNING AFTERNOON Monday 08 Constituency Constituency May
Tuesday 09 0900-1300 Committees 1400 Time for Reflection
Followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motion (if required)
1405-1420 Topical Questions
1420-1700 Scottish Government Debate
1700 Decision Time
Followed by Members’ Business
Wednesday 10 0900-1300 Committees 1400 Parliamentary Bureau Motion (if required)
1400-1440 Portfolio Question Time: Health and Sport
1440-1700 Scottish Government Debate
Followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motion (if required)
1700 Decision Time
Followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 11 0900-1100 Committees 1430 Parliamentary Bureau Motion (if required)
1430-1700 Scottish Government Debate
Followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motion (if required)
1140-1200 General Questions 1700 Decision Time
1200-1245 First Minister’s Question Time
Followed by Members’ Business
Friday 12 Constituency Constituency
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PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU
FUTURE BUSINESS PROGRAMME: 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 at each meeting of the Parliament.
2. Motions submitted for Members’ Business are shown below.
S5M-03652 Linda Fabiani: Gold Award for East Kilbride Housing Association—That the Parliament commends the East Kilbride Housing Association on winning the gold award accreditation from Healthy Working Lives; notes that this is the result of a three-year strategy aimed at protecting the health and wellbeing of its staff through the promotion of physical activities, training and development and awareness-raising sessions; congratulates the Voluntary Management Committee, the housing association's director, Andy Young, and the entire team on their focus on improving mental health awareness of their employees, tenants and clients, and believes that the steps taken to achieve this award set a good example for other employers to follow.
S5M-03680 Alison Johnstone: Children and Young People's Health—That the Parliament acknowledges the State of Child Health Report 2017, which has been published by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH); notes its serious findings, which suggest that child health in Scotland is among the poorest in western Europe and that over 210,000 children live in poverty, increasing their likelihood of poor health; notes the college's clear recommendations for Scotland, including that the Scottish Government should adopt a "child health in all policies" approach to decision-making, set targets to reduce the proportion of children living in poverty, support parents and families through targeted programmes such as the family nurse partnership and financial inclusion services, ensure that universal early years public health services are well supported, introduce a statutory requirement for all schools to deliver comprehensive, evidence-based sex and relationships education and encourage physical activity and lifestyles for all children and families; further notes the RCPCH's recommendation that 20mph speed limits should be introduced in order to develop safe spaces for children to walk cycle and play, and notes the view that such measures are necessary to improve the health of children and young people in Lothian and across Scotland and that well- evidenced income maximisation schemes, such as Healthier Wealthier Children, which are targeted at children and families at risk of poverty should be rolled-out.
S5M-03735 Claudia Beamish: Joint Statement on Just Transition—That the Parliament welcomes the Joint Statement on Just Transition, which has been supported by Friends of the Earth Scotland, the STUC, Unite Scotland, UNISON Scotland, Public and Commercial Services Union Scotland, Communication Workers Union Scotland, University and College Union Scotland and WWF Scotland; notes the view that close co-operation between the environmental and trade union movements is essential to securing social, economic and environmental justice; further notes the views expressed, which agree with the signatories that Scotland requires a just transition, which is a planned shift to a modern low-carbon economy that "protects workers’ livelihoods, creates a new industrial base and delivers a fairer Scotland"; recognises the "future-proof" curriculum opportunities in colleges across South Scotland and beyond, such as the UK Green Gown Award-winning South Lanarkshire College, and notes calls on the Scottish Government to maximise what it sees as the opportunities afforded by the development of Scotland’s energy strategy and the climate change plan and bill to deliver a just transition.
S5M-03760 Brian Whittle: New Recruits at WG13—That the Parliament recognises the latest group of recruits to begin their training at WG13 in Kilmarnock; understands that WG13 is a social enterprise café/restaurant operated by CVO East Ayrshire (CVOEA), and is designed to address the lack of employment and training opportunities for young people by giving them experience of working in a commercial environment and the opportunity to gain accredited qualifications provided by Ayrshire College, with the aim of moving these young people into permanent employment in the hospitality and leisure sector; believes that the co-operation between CVOEA and Ayrshire College to provide training and support to young people, who might have struggled in traditional education, can drastically improve life prospects, and highlights the value of public and private organisations working in 5
PB/S5/17/59 partnership with the third sector; thanks the staff of WG13 and CVOEA for their efforts to support these young people; commends the latest group of recruits for signing up to the training course, and wishes them every success for their futures.
S5M-03801 Christina McKelvie: #scotswummin—That the Parliament welcomes the launch of the national campaign, #scotswummin, which is supported by YouthLink Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund; notes that it aims to uncover the many forgotten women who have shaped Scotland throughout history, including in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency; understands that it is part of a youth-led, youth work-based research project involving 40 young people who will be investigating the contribution of women past and present; believes that #scotswummin aims to encourage as many people as possible to get involved and for them to highlight the achievements of women in their communities and nationwide and to sign a pledge for equality; notes that Youthlink Scotland will complement this work by producing a report on youth work’s contribution to the women’s movement since 1850; understands that the final report will be launched at an exhibition at Glasgow Women’s Library on 4 August 2017; notes that further details of the campaign can be found at scotswummin.org, and further notes the call for members across the Parliament to pledge their support for the project and to work constructively towards complete gender equality.
S5M-03808 Bruce Crawford: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail—That the Parliament welcomes the news that a Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail has been launched, which will highlight key locations of the famous Jacobite across Scotland; notes that tourist interest in the Young Pretender has increased thanks to the TV programme, Outlander; congratulates Doune Castle, near Stirling, on its selection as a principal filming location for Outlander and for its place on the new Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail; acknowledges that, to mark the 229th anniversary of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s death, VisitScotland is spending £40,000 on a campaign to support tourist interest; considers that, through online videos, social media promotions and blogging, VisitScotland’s campaign to increase interest in the Young Pretender and reach a wider digital audience will contribute to the success of 2017 as the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, and wishes Outlander and all of the selected locations the best of luck in showcasing Scotland’s history.
S5M-03832 Finlay Carson: The Establishment of New National Parks—That the Parliament recognises the value of Scotland’s outstanding natural beauty, which creates jobs, contributes to the economy and attracts millions of tourists from Galloway and West Dumfries, the rest of Scotland and the world; notes what it sees as the success of the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs national parks in conserving and enhancing the natural heritage of these areas, and notes the calls on the Scottish Government to conduct a review of national parks and consider the establishment of new ones.
S5M-03899 Brian Whittle: No Smoking Day 2017— That the Parliament supports No Smoking Day on 8 March 2017; considers this day an excellent opportunity for smokers to “feel like a winner” and kick the habit; notes with concern recent survey data, which shows that more than two thirds of Scottish smokers want to quit; understands that tobacco can cost the average smoker more than £1,500 per year; recognises what it sees as the excellent work being done by smoking cessation advisers and pharmacists in the South of Scotland and around the country providing free help and support to quitters; acknowledges the significant reduction in the number of smokers in Scotland in recent years but considers that there is still much work to be done; looks forward to reaching Scotland’s goal of being tobacco-free by 2034, and wishes all those quitting smoking every success.
S5M-03927 Colin Smyth: Celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight from 27 February to 12 March 2017— That the Parliament notes that Fairtrade Fortnight 2017 will take place from 27 February to 12 March and will have the theme, It’s time to put Fairtrade in your break; understands that Fairtrade Fortnight will be celebrated in the South Scotland region and across the country with events being held to illustrate how millions of farmers and workers in developing countries are not paid what they deserve and to encourage people to learn more about fair trade; commends everyone in Scotland who has expressed their commitment to fair trade and who will be holding events, and congratulates the Scottish Fair Trade Forum on its leadership in supporting the continued status of Scotland as a Fair Trade Nation.
S5M-04021 George Adam: MS Awareness Week—That the Parliament notes that MS Awareness Week 2017 will run from 23 April to 1 May; welcomes this opportunity to put multiple sclerosis (MS) on the agenda and raise awareness and understanding of the neurological condition that affects more than 11,000 people in Scotland, including in Paisley; celebrates the significant role that health 6
PB/S5/17/59 professionals play in helping people with MS manage their condition, in particular the MS-specialist nurses who often provide frontline support; understands that, due to factors such as improved diagnosis, consensus around early treatment, and increased monitoring requirements, the role of the nurse has changed significantly over the years; believes that the provision of these nurses is vital to ensuring that there is appropriate support for people across the country; is concerned that some areas however might not have adequate provision; commends charities such as the MS Society Scotland and the MS Trust for championing the cause of people living with the condition, and notes the calls for members of all parties to get loud for tackling MS during the awareness week.
S5M-04043 Brian Whittle: Scottish Athletic Achievements—Since 1 January 2017 That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the remarkable number of major achievements by Scottish athletes since 1 January 2017; notes that these achievements include four Gold medals and four additional medals at the British Senior Indoor Championship, which represents the most gold medals secured in over 20 years; further notes that this has coincided with a dramatic increase in participation at championship level events, including a 51% increase in numbers competing in the Masters (veterans) National Cross Country, a 24% increase in participation at the Track and Field Indoor Championships for the under-13, under-15, under-17 and under-20 age groups, and a 26.5% increase in participation at the Seniors Track and Field Indoor Championship; understands that this is in addition to a number of spectacular performances by individual athletes including Andy Butchart, Laura Muir, Lynsey Sharp, Callum Hawkins, Heather Paton, Eilish McColgan, Eilidh Doyle, Guy Learmonth and Allan Smith who have, between them, put in six record performances and claimed victories across a range of athletic disciplines; congratulates these individuals for their respective achievements, and wishes them, and all other Scottish athletes, including those from across the south of Scotland, every success at the forthcoming European Indoor Championships, competing as part of Team GB, and beyond.
S5M-04061 Maurice Corry: Combat Stress Finds Veterans in Scotland Face Higher Levels of Deprivation Than Those in Rest of UK—That the Parliament notes the research paper, Multiple deprivation in help-seeking UK veterans, published by Combat Stress, which found that ex-servicemen and women receiving help from the charity in Scotland, including those in West Scotland, face higher levels of deprivation than those living in the rest of the UK; understands that the report surveyed of over 3,000 veterans registered with Combat Stress from across the UK and found that veterans in Scotland face greatest risk of deprivation, in both levels of income and employment; notes that the report also found that half of veterans in Scotland who are registered with Combat Stress live in the most deprived three areas of Scotland, and thanks Combat Stress for collecting the information which it considers illustrates the work that still needs to be done to support the veterans community in Scotland.
S5M-04124 Brian Whittle: Killie Heartmates and Other Rehabilitation Services— That the Parliament congratulates the group, Killie Heartmates, as it celebrates 21 years of operation; understands that it is a cardiac exercise group that meets once a week in Kilmarnock and provides keep-fit classes that are open to anyone who has experienced a cardiac event, such as a heart attack or by-pass surgery; recognises that the kind of long-term rehabilitative exercise offered by Killie Heartmates can both significantly improve an individual’s recovery and dramatically reduce the risk of future cardiac issues; notes that, in addition to the physical benefits of the classes, which are run by British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation-qualified instructors, the social aspects of the group can have mental health benefits for those who are recovering from the trauma of a cardiac event; acknowledges the support that the group receives from the cardiac and physiotherapy departments at the University Hospital Crosshouse and from Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland; notes the ongoing #backingrehab campaign by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy; considers that Killie Heartmates and other rehabilitation services in Scotland play a key role in improving the health of patients following an illness or injury; commends the work of all those involved in such services; thanks them for their efforts, and wishes them continued success.
S5M-04137 Ash Denham: Neurofibromatosis Awareness Day—That the Parliament appreciates that 17 May 2017 is Neurofibromatosis Awareness Day; notes that neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic disorder that causes tumours to grow on the nerves and that tumours can develop anywhere in the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and nerves; further notes that there is no known cure for the condition, which people are born with due to a genetic mutation; recognises that, while 1 in 3,000 people are currently diagnosed with the condition, many go undiagnosed due to a lack of awareness; considers that, despite NF being one of the most common genetic disorders, people, including many parents, often find themselves telling GPs what their condition or that of their children 7
PB/S5/17/59 is; notes that NF is a progressive condition and can cause a variety of problems, including physical and learning difficulties and mental health issues, and is also linked to autism; appreciates that people have concerns that, due to lack of awareness, those affected may not receive the correct treatment in time, and notes hopes that across all UK NHS boards, including NHS Lothian, NF patients will receive regular routine monitoring by specialists, in memory of the incredibly determined, Beth Beattie, who sadly passed away on 4 November 2016, aged four-years-old.
S5M-04183 Christina McKelvie: Remove the Domestic Abuse Victim Tax—That the Parliament condemns the UK Government’s policy to charge victims of domestic abuse for using the Child Maintenance Service; understands that for victims of domestic abuse, the Collect and Pay service is the only safe way for them to exercise their right to child maintenance; notes that using this service incurs a charge of 4% for the collecting parent; believes that the alternative, free scheme, Direct Pay, does not offer the same protections as Collect and Pay and has no powers of enforcement should the paying parent fail to meet their obligation to pay; understands that, in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, millions of pounds of child maintenance goes unpaid and leads to children missing out on money intended to support them; further understands that the UK Government exempts victims of domestic abuse from the £20 Collect and Pay application charge, but do not remove the ongoing monthly charges, and notes the calls on the UK Government to remove the 4% collection charge on child maintenance payments for victims of domestic abuse.
S5M-04248 Maurice Golden: WWF Earth Hour 2017—That the Parliament welcomes the World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) Earth Hour 2017, which will start at 8.30 pm on 25 March; recognises that Earth Hour is a global effort and that Scotland and the rest of the UK will join more than 175 countries taking part; further welcomes the continued cross-party support for tackling climate change; notes that all of the country's local authorities will participate, including those in the West Scotland region; welcomes the action that is being planned nationwide by people and groups across a diverse range of communities, faiths and organisations; notes the view that everyone should take part to help raise awareness of climate change and the need to tackle it and the hope that as many landmarks as possible join in by switching off their lights for the hour, and wishes everyone participating in it every success.
S5M-04283 Maurice Corry: Deposit Return for Drinks Containers—That the Parliament notes what it sees as the substantially increased interest in the issue of deposit return for drinks containers and the renewed campaigns to reduce litter in Scotland's seas, towns and countryside, including in the West Scotland region; welcomes the decision by the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee to establish a subgroup to investigate this important issue; acknowledges the view that any such system would need to be well designed in order to best meet the needs of the public, SMEs and local authorities; notes the substantial and ongoing work on deposit return being conducted by the Scottish Government, and further notes the calls for it to make a prompt decision on this issue once the committee subgroup reports in summer 2017.
S5M-04291 Colin Smyth: Youth Stop AIDS Campaign, It Ain't Over—That the Parliament notes the concerns of people in the South Scotland region and across Scotland regarding HIV and AIDS; further notes the Youth Stop AIDS campaign, It Ain't Over; understands that 2.1 million people acquired HIV in 2015 and that AIDS remains the second largest killer of adolescents globally; acknowledges that UNAIDS estimates that, to reach the sustainable development goal target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, an annual funding gap of six billion dollars must be filled each year, and notes the calls on all stakeholders to increase political, programmatic and financial resources invested in the global HIV and AIDS response. S5M-04358 Clare Haughey: International Workers Memorial Day 2017—That the Parliament recognises International Workers Memorial Day on 28 April 2017, and every year, as a day to remember those who have lost their lives as a result of incidents at work, occupational disease or ill health, and as a day for the STUC, affiliated trade unions, Scottish Hazards, employers and enforcement agencies to reaffirm their commitment to making workplaces safer for workers today and in the future; notes that this year’s theme is tackling inequalities in occupational health, a theme designed to raise awareness of poor health and safety in precarious employment and the so-called gig economy; considers that there is a need for workers in these areas to enjoy the trade union-effect where evidence shows that workers protected by trade unions are less likely to suffer injury; notes the benefits for employers and organisations already working with trade unions to strive for improved workplace health, safety and occupational health, and considers that effective and meaningful enforcement is vital in improving health and safety across Scottish workplaces.
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S5M-04385 Brian Whittle: Hansel Foundation—That the Parliament recognises the work of the Hansel Foundation, which is a social care organisation based in Symington providing a range of support to over 600 people with learning disabilities in Ayrshire and beyond; understands that the support on offer includes residential and "at home" care, support with housing, and respite care and short breaks; notes that Hansel delivers support in a number of specialist areas including dementia support, working with younger people with autism and helping those with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD); further notes that the organisation employs approximately 500 staff throughout its business and operates a number of social enterprises that provide meaningful employment to individuals with learning disabilities; acknowledges Hansel’s commitment to delivering high quality, affordable services through an “efficient, effective and purposeful collaboration of people”; considers that social care charities such as Hansel provide a vital service to disabled people and their families; believes that Hansel represents a prime example of what such organisations can achieve, and hopes that it will continue to build on its current achievements in the years to come.
S5M-04531 Brian Whittle: Kilmarnock Dementia Resource Centre—That the Parliament recognises the excellent work undertaken to support people with dementia and their carers at the Kilmarnock Dementia Resource Centre, which is run by Alzheimer Scotland; understands that the centre, which is based in College Wynd, runs a range of groups and activities, including information and support drop-in sessions, a football memories group, where visitors can relive their memories of the great games in years gone, and art and knitting groups; is impressed by its use of state-of-the-art design techniques that create a dementia-friendly environment; understands that there are around 20 such centres across the country, which provide support for people living with dementia, their families and carers; considers these centres to be invaluable in addressing social isolation, and welcomes what it sees as the work of such crucial community-based support in helping people with dementia remain active and live well with the condition.
S5M-04581 John Finnie: Ship-to-ship Oil Transfers in the Cromarty and Moray Firths—That the Parliament notes the lodging of Public Petition PE01637 regarding at-sea ship-to-ship oil transfers in areas such as the Cromarty and Moray firths; considers the Cromarty and Moray firths to be areas of environmental significance, which are completely unsuitable for operations such as at-sea ship-to-ship oil transfers; further considers that even a minimal spillage would have catastrophic effects for marine life, including the iconic pod of bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth, and for coastal communities, threatening the tourism industry, which it believes is the most important employer in the Highlands and Islands; congratulates Cromarty Rising on reaching over 100,000 signatures from people across the region and the world for its petition to the UK Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling; notes the calls for the devolution of powers over licences for at-sea ship-to-ship oil transfers, and further notes the view that any oil transfers that are considered necessary should continue to take place in the relative safety of the Cromarty Port.
S5M-04585 Patrick Harvie: Govan Graving Docks—That the Parliament recognises the Govan Graving Docks in Glasgow as an important part of Scotland’s maritime heritage; understands that these were the deepest dry docks in Britain when they opened in the 19th century and could accommodate the largest ships in the world at the time; notes Historic Environment Scotland’s description of the site as “an outstanding graving dock complex without parallel in Scotland” and of “major significance in terms of the history of world shipbuilding”; notes that the site has lain derelict for 28 years and that a number of development proposals have been considered but not progressed, and notes the view that that any development that does progress should benefit the local community and make good use of the site’s industrial heritage.
S5M-04614 Gordon Lindhurst: Holy Trinity Church Installs Fresh Water Wells in West Africa— That the Parliament congratulates members of the Holy Trinity Church in Wester Hailes in Edinburgh on raising over £20,000 to fund the installation of water wells in Burkino Faso villages; understands that this will allow more than 1,000 children access to clean drinking water in the fifth poorest country in the world; further understands that the work to install six wells was undertaken by seven volunteers from Wester Hailes, led by Ian Stirrat from South Queensferry who has been a lifelong member of the church, with the group teaming up with relief workers from the charity, Friends in Action, to undertake the work; recognises that the team worked for two weeks, sometimes in extreme heat, to install the wells; understands the impact that the water wells will have for the local population, which previously had to walk for many miles before finding fresh water, and congratulates everyone involved, including members of the church and the volunteers, on what it sees as this tremendous effort.
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S5M-04643 Ben Macpherson: UK Government Restrictions for 18 to 21-year-olds Accessing Financial Support for Housing—That the Parliament expresses concern at its understanding that 18 to 21-year-olds in Edinburgh and across Scotland will face restrictions in accessing financial support for housing from 1 April 2017; notes the calls on the UK Government to reconsider what it believes is its ill-conceived and harmful plans that will increase the likelihood of young people being made homeless and undermine the preventative approach to homelessness taken by local and national government in Scotland; believes that these changes are being imposed while discussions continue between the UK and Scottish governments on how the policy can be fully mitigated within existing powers; notes its disappointment with the UK Government’s short timescale for change despite assurances that options for Scotland would be considered further, which it believes makes it impossible for full mitigation arrangements to be put in place before this change comes into force; acknowledges the report, The withdrawal of support for housing costs under Universal Credit for young people: more pain for little gain?, from the homelessness charity Crisis, and Sheffield Hallam University, which suggests that many of those affected are “likely to be made more vulnerable, less secure and less able to rebuild their relationship with their parents or to keep or find a job than they were before”; notes the research of Heriot-Watt University, which estimates that, if more than 140 young people are made homeless, the policy will cost the UK Government more than the estimated and supposed savings, and believes that not all young people have the option of living with their parents and, for those who may be in a desperate or difficult situation and facing homelessness, housing support can provide stability, security and enable them to lead independent and fulfilling lives.
S5M-04648 Brian Whittle: Scouts Scotland Youth Advocacy Award—That the Parliament congratulates Scouts Scotland on the launch of its Youth Advocacy Award; understands that, like Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, MSPs will have to complete a number of actions in order to complete the award; notes that the award was designed in partnership with young people on the Scouts Scotland National Youth Advisory Group; considers that the Scouts offers life-changing adventure to nearly 40,000 young people in Scotland, including in the South Scotland region, helping girls, boys, young women and men to develop the skills they need to succeed in life; commends MSPs who are raising issues regarding young people, and hopes that many of them will soon be wearing their Youth Advocate badge.
S5M-04688 Mark Griffin: Split Payments of Universal Credit for Gender Equality— That the Parliament welcomes what it considers the overwhelming support for universal credit payments to be split between the members of a household from 99% of organisations and 78% of individuals who responded to a consultation on social security; recognises the responses of key stakeholders, including Engender, Scottish Women’s Aid, JRF, Inclusion Scotland, SCVO and SFHA, which it considers advocate automatic use of this flexibility; further considers the automatic splitting of universal credit payments to be a step towards gender equality in the Scottish social security system, which will promote financial autonomy and which is particularly critical to protect women and children from domestic abuse; understands from evidence from women’s organisations that 9 in 10 domestic abuse cases include financial abuse, that women receive 20% of their incomes from social security payments and 86% of UK Government cuts to social security and tax credits will come from women’s incomes; recognises that East Lothian, Inverness, Inverclyde and East Dunbartonshire are now universal credit full service areas, but considers that this split payment flexibility is both under- publicised and under-used, and notes the view that the will to deliver split payments should not be hindered by the technical limitations of the Department for Work and Pensions.
S5M-04708 Neil Findlay: Flawed Airport Consultation—That the Parliament notes what it sees as the growing concerns about Edinburgh Airport’s plan to introduce new flight paths; understands that around 120 people attended the latest in a series of public meetings in Livingston to voice their opposition; believes that a number of flaws within the consultation have been identified, including the lack of inclusion of a health impact assessment of the proposed changes to airspace use since 2014, despite a number of residents reporting mental and physical health effects due to increased noise over their homes, the lack of evidence for the assertion that 25,000 fewer properties will be overflown as a result of the changes, that Winchburgh and East Calder residents were informed through the first consultation that they would not be affected by any proposed changes but have since found that they will be affected by new plans, and the use of outdated census data from 2011 as the basis for the consultation, and notes calls for the Scottish Government to urge the Civil Aviation Authority to demand that Edinburgh Airport scraps what is considered this flawed consultation and begins the process again with up-to-date information and a more robust and credible consultation process.
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S5M-04825 Alexander Burnett: Lyme Disease, The Need To Do More—That the Parliament recognises that Lyme disease is affecting many people across Scotland, including in Aberdeenshire; considers that there is a lack of awareness and education to prevent further infections in 2017; notes calls for the issues surrounding diagnosis and treatment to be explored further; further notes calls for public education on the dangers of tick bites and for doctors to become better informed so that patients are not left undiagnosed, and notes the support for Lyme Disease UK’s campaign to help increase awareness of this disease.
S5M-04886 Brian Whittle: Royal Bank of Scotland Branch Closures in South Scotland—That the Parliament expresses its concern at the reported decision by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to close a further 30 branches in Scotland, including those in Cumnock, Mauchline and Girvan; understands that the bank’s justification for these closures is statistics that indicate an increase in the number of customers using digital banking services; believes that RBS’s IT infrastructure is widely recognised to have been the cause of a number of significant issues in recent years; considers that RBS has a duty to provide equality of service for all its customers, regardless of how they choose to interact with the bank; further considers that closing these branches would be potentially discriminatory against people who, for whatever reason, do not use digital banking; believes that this group of customers is likely to include large numbers of older people and others for whom travel to a more distant branch represents a barrier to access, and notes the calls on RBS to immediately halt these proposed closures and reflect on whether they are justifiable from a company whose motto is "We are the Royal Bank for Scotland".
S5M-05008 Brian Whittle: Heritage and Environmental Conservation Charities Support for Outdoor Learning—That the Parliament acknowledges the work of various national conservation charities, including RSPB Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland, in the provision and promotion of outdoor education; believes that outdoor education should be seen as an important component of the curriculum, with meaningful benefits to both pupils' learning and their health; considers that sites such as Culzean Castle in South Ayrshire, which is run by the National Trust for Scotland, the RSPB’s Mersehead Reserve in Dumfries and Galloway, and the Dumfries House Estate in East Ayrshire endeavour to work with local schools to arrange visits to their sites, along with various educational activities; understands that many organisations have seen a marked decline in the number of pupils participating in recent years; believes that, while visits are often provided at little or no direct cost to schools, the cost of transport has become prohibitive as school budgets have been squeezed; notes the calls on schools across Scotland to consider making use of schools attainment funding to support greater use of outdoor education, and thanks RSPB Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland and other similar organisations for their commitment to supporting outdoor learning.
S5M-05012 Colin Smyth: Snaring—That the Parliament acknowledges the recent Scottish National Heritage report, Review of Snaring for the Scottish Government, which offers what it sees as only a limited number of recommendations to strengthen the legislation on snaring; understands that the League Against Cruel Sports considers the review to be a “wasted opportunity” given its limited scope and that OneKind has said that the report was “destined to fail’ as it excluded consideration of whether snares should be used at all; notes that the October 2016 report, Cruel and Indiscriminate: Why Scotland must become snare-free, which was commissioned jointly by the League Against Cruel Sports and OneKind, suggested that, regardless of any future tweaks to the legislation, snares would continue to be cruel and indiscriminate; further notes that this paper cited instances of evisceration, strangulation and agonising deaths experienced by the animals, including non-target animals such as Scottish wildcats, mountain hares, badgers, hedgehogs, deer, otters, and even family pets, and notes the calls for the Scottish Government to consult on an outright ban on snaring in the South Scotland region and across the country.
S5M-05014 Brian Whittle: Girvan Youth Trust—That the Parliament recognises the work of the Girvan Youth Trust, which is a not-for-profit charitable organisation based in Girvan, South Ayrshire, whose primary objective is to support young people in Girvan and the surrounding area to make positive, healthy life choices; understands that the trust owns and operates the Z1 Youth Bar, which is a multi-functional youth centre with a non-alcoholic bar, arts and crafts room, stage area, outdoor area and IT facilities, which enables it to operate a range of weekly activities aimed at encouraging young people to be more physically active and develop a range of practical and social skills that will benefit them for life; considers the trust has a strong commitment to supporting young people into apprenticeships and employment; notes its ambition to participate in Project Search, which is an initiative that aims to bring more people with learning disabilities into employment; commends William Grant & Sons distillery for the significant support that it has provided to Girvan Youth Trust over a 11
PB/S5/17/59 number of years; thanks everyone involved in the trust for their efforts and the significant contribution that the organisation makes to the area, and wishes them continued success.
S5M-05038 Gail Ross: 12 May, International ME Day—That the Parliament acknowledges that 12 May 2017 marks the international awareness day for myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), which is commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome; understands that ME is often labelled as a "silent" illness but can bring great mental and physical exhaustion to those living with it; believes that over 20,000 adults and children in Scotland have the condition and that the effects include cognitive impairment, poor short-term memory, muscle and joint pain, gastrointestinal problems and food intolerance; commends the work of the various charities across Scotland and beyond in highlighting the circumstances faced by people with ME, and commends them on the support that they offer.
S5M-05050 Bruce Crawford: Stirling University's 50th Anniversary—That the Parliament congratulates the University of Stirling on its 50th anniversary in 2017; understands that, on 18 September 1967, 164 undergraduate students and 31 postgraduates began their courses at the new Pathfoot Building and, since then, the university's alumni has grown to include over 80,000 people in 170 countries; acknowledges that many notable alumni, such as the BBC documentaries, Planet Earth and Blue Planet, cinematographer, Doug Allan, and the biotech innovator, Sunil Kadri, who founded the AKVA Group, which is understood to be the world’s largest aquaculture technology supplier, have attended the university over the years; considers that the university particularly excels in the fields of research, the environment and sport as Scotland's University of Sporting Excellence, with Scottish sporting stars, such as the Commonwealth gold-winning swimmer, Ross Murdoch, and tennis superstars, Andy and Jamie Murray, using the university’s facilities to train; notes that the university was the first genuinely new university in Scotland for over 400 years and considers that it has established itself as a desired place of study for students from Scotland and across the world; welcomes the fact that thousands of students continue to apply for and attend the university each year and believes that this is testament to the fantastic campus, facilities, courses and staff, and wishes everyone linked to the university the very best for the future.
S5M-05080 Sandra White: Tax Credit Rape Clause—That the Parliament condemns the introduction of new measures for entitlement to child tax credits by the Department for Work and Pensions, which limits tax credits and the child element of universal credit to two children, unless a third or subsequent child was the result of rape; understands that concerns have been raised by national women’s organisations including Engender, Rape Crisis Scotland and Scottish Women's Aid on the impact of limiting social security to only two children, which it considers will deepen women and children’s poverty, including those in Glasgow Kelvin; believes that the so-called "rape clause" will have a traumatic impact, forcing women to disclose sexual violence to the state with the threat of deeper impoverishment if they refuse, and notes calls on the UK Government to withdraw what it considers this draconian legislation with immediate effect.
S5M-05106 Liam Kerr: Cycle Capacity on Scotland's Railways—That the Parliament notes the calls on Transport Scotland and ScotRail to reverse reported plans to reduce available cycle space on trains serving intermediate stations on the Edinburgh/Glasgow - Inverness and East Coast main lines; understands that, on 25 February 2015, the ScotRail Franchise Delivery Team informed a meeting at the Parliament that there would be improvements in 2018-19, with the introduction of four and five coach InterCity 125 High Speed Trains and an expectation that these would carry at least 20 cycles; further understands that the cycling campaign group, Spokes, has discovered that the increase in bike space has been gradually reduced, which means that, for the stations on these lines, there will be fewer spaces for cycles than at present; believes that almost all ScotRail trains are Class 170 Turbostars with four official bike spaces and that, although the new plans include a total of eight bike spaces, six can only be used at the termini, with only two spaces available for stations other than the departure and arrival points; notes the calls on Transport Scotland and the ScotRail Alliance to recognise the immense contribution that it considers cyclists bring to local economies, especially in the Highlands and the north east, and further notes the calls on the Scottish Government to bring pressure on Transport Scotland and ScotRail to reverse this decision and increase cycle space on Scotland’s railways, as it understands was promised in 2015.
S5M-05136 Maree Todd: May 2017, World Hypertension Month—That the Parliament notes that May 2017 marks World Hypertension Month; understands that this awareness month will highlight this silent condition, which is a preventable cause of stroke and heart disease, and provide information regarding its prevention, detection and treatment; notes that it is estimated to cause around nine million deaths globally each year; understands that 30% of adults in Scotland have high blood 12
PB/S5/17/59 pressure, half of whom are not receiving treatment, and that 70,860 people in the Highlands and Islands region are living with the condition, and acknowledges and welcomes the work of Professor Rhian Touyz, of the British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence at the University of Glasgow, which aims to understand the causes of hypertension.
S5M-05147 Christina McKelvie: Scottish Conservative Support for the "Rape Clause"—That the Parliament is shocked by comments made by the Scottish Conservative Party leader, Ruth Davidson, via a spokesperson, which it believes appear to support the so-called rape clause in the UK Government’s welfare reforms to child tax credits, which require victims of rape seeking to claim child tax credits to prove to the Department for Work and Pensions that their third child was born as a result of non-consensual sex; considers it barbaric that rape victims from throughout the UK, including the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency, should be compelled to recount their abuse via an eight-page claimant form in order to claim welfare; notes calls for Ruth Davidson to address these concerns publicly and directly and not indirectly via a spokesperson; strongly commends Alison Thewliss MP for leading the Scrap the Rape Clause campaign; further commends what it sees as cross-party support from Scottish Labour, the Scottish Green Party and the Scottish Liberal Democrats for the campaign, which it considers shows the strength of feeling within the Scottish Parliament, and further notes calls for Ruth Davidson to engage in immediate dialogue with the Prime Minister to protect victims of rape and sexual abuse from untold distress and trauma arising from what it considers the cruel and callous welfare reforms of the Conservative Government
S5M-05165 Emma Harper: Celebrating International Nurses Day on 12 May 2017—That the Parliament recognises International Nurses Day 2017, which is celebrated around the world every year on 12 May; acknowledges that this date is the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth; considers that Mary Seacole also contributed immensely to furthering the caring for ill and recuperating patients; understands that nurses are the single largest group of healthcare professionals in the UK; acknowledges that nursing encompasses the autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families and communities in all settings, and includes the promotion of health, prevention of illness and care of people who are ill, disabled and who are dying; considers that advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, research, participation in shaping health policy and education are also key roles in nursing, and notes calls for everyone to mark International Nurses Day in some way, whether it be by sharing messages of support on social media, learning more about the hard work nurses do, or fundraising for a charity that supports nursing staff.
S5M-05239 James Dornan: When the Lisbon Lions Roared, 50th Anniversary of Celtic's European Cup Win—That the Parliament congratulates Celtic FC on the 50th anniversary of its historic win over Inter Milan in the European Cup final on 25 May 1967; considers that this was a magnificent achievement for a football club with all of its players living within a 30-mile radius of its home ground, Parkhead; notes that it was the first British team to win this trophy, and believes that, for Scottish and British football, the Lisbon Lions set a standard that is unlikely to be matched by a solely home-grown club again.
S5M-05240 Stuart McMillan: Scouting in Scotland—That the Parliament welcomes the news that Scouts Scotland has grown for the 11th year-in-a-row, with total membership exceeding 50,000 for the first time this century; acknowledges that youth membership in Greenock and Inverclyde and across Scotland has grown faster than the rest of the UK, with a total of 38,636 young members; commends the dedication of the adult volunteers and notes what it sees the vital role they play in providing young members with amazing experiences and opportunities and teaching new skills; recognises that, with growing popularity comes growing waiting lists; notes the view for more adults to volunteer with the movement; sends it best wishes to Scouts Scotland, and hopes that it enjoys continued success.
Record of Members’ Business taken by the Parliament from 6 June 2016
Date MSP Party Subject 07/06/16 James Dornan SNP Celebrating Glasgow’s Third Sector 08/06/16 Clare Adamson SNP Child Safety Week 2016 09/06/16 Murdo Fraser CON 750th Anniversary of the Treaty of Perth 14/06/16 Iain Gray LAB Closure of RBS Prestonpans Branch 15/06/16 Clare Haughey SNP Increase in Trade Union Membership in Scotland 13
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Date MSP Party Subject 16/06/16 Kate Forbes SNP Rural Communities and the Post-study Work Visa 28/06/16 Douglas Ross CON Scottish Team at Euro 2016 29/06/16 Michael Russell SNP Commemorating the 21st Anniversary of the Srebenica Genocide 30/06/16 Neil Findlay LAB Scotland, Pitchford and Undercover Policing 06/09/16 Fulton MacGregor SNP Stand Up to Bullying 07/09/16 Miles Briggs CON Opposition to Centralisation of Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery 08/09/16 James Dornan SNP Living Wage in Scottish Football 13/09/16 Jackie Baillie LAB Save our Services 14/09/16 Ivan McKee SNP Reusable Nappies and the Scottish Baby Box 15/09/16 Jeremy Balfour CON Glow Gold September 20/09/16 Stuart McMillan SNP Eye Health Week 21/09/16 Graeme Dey SNP Promoting Good Food from Angus 22/09/16 Margaret Mitchell CON The Standing Safe Campaign 27/09/16 Monica Lennon LAB Feminine Hygiene Products 28/09/16 Mark Ruskell GRN Action on Residential Road Safety 29/09/16 Jenny Gilruth SNP Mental Health Education 04/10/16 Kenneth Gibson SNP Hate Crimes Against Polish Migrants 05/10/16 Neil Findlay LAB Retain Tax Jobs in Bathgate 06/10/16 Liam McArthur LD Island Heath Boards 25/10/16 Christine Grahame SNP Adopt a Station 26/10/16 David Stewart LAB Support for Campeltown Airport as SpacePort 27/10/16 Richard Lochhead SNP Standard of Mortuaries 01/11/16 Jeremy Balfour CON 100th Anniversary of the Cub Scouts 02/11/16 Sandra White SNP Welfare Conditionality Study 03/11/16 Alex Rowley LAB The Cost of Saying Goodbye, Burial and Cremation Charges in Scotland 08/11/16 Graeme Dey SNP Species Champions Re-launch 09/11/16 Ruth Maguire SNP Celebrating International Credit Union Day 2016 10/11/16 Liz Smith CON Accessible Hospital Transport in Scotland 15/11/16 Jackie Baillie LAB Supporting Women-led Business in Global Entrepreneurship Week 16/11/16 Angus MacDonald SNP State of Nature 2016 Report 17/11/16 Gillian Martin SNP Celebrating Flexible Working Practices 22/11/16 Maurice Corry CON 100th Anniversary of Erskine 23/11/16 Bob Doris SNP The Year of the Dad 24/11/16 Miles Briggs CON Edinburgh Waverley Station Access Arrangements 29//11/16 Rona Mackay SNP Men who have Sex with Men, Blood Donations 30/11/16 Kezia Dugdale LAB World AIDS Day 2016 01/12/16 Ash Denham SNP Small Business Saturday 06/12/16 Johann Lamont LAB Care Tax in Scotland 07/12/16 George Adam SNP Paisley for City of Culture 2021 08/12/16 Brian Whittle CON Doon Valley Boxing Club 13/12/16 Fulton MacGregor SNP Walk This Way at Dunbeth Park 14/12/16 Maree Todd SNP Scotland’s Climate Targets 15/12/16 Gordon Lindhurst CON The Future of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site 20/12/16 Kezia Dugdale LAB Tackling Mesothelioma in Scotland 21/12/16 Alison Johnstone GRN Extending Maternity and Paternity Leave for Parents of Premature Babies 21/12/16 Emma Harper SNP Ending the Illegal Puppy Trade 10/01/17 Clare Adamson SNP Type 1 Diabetes in Scotland 11/01/17 Liz Smith CON STEP Physical Literacy Programme 12/01/17 Colin Smyth LAB Marie Curie Report on Challenging Inequities in Palliative Care
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Date MSP Party Subject 17/01/17 Stewart Stevenson SNP A Sea of Opportunity 18/01/17 Richard Leonard LAB 30th Anniversary of Workers’ Occupation of Caterpillar Plant in Tannochside 19/01/17 Bob Doris SNP Closure of Glasgow Jobcentres 24/01/17 Donald Cameron CON World Cancer Day, an Opportunity to Tackle Obesity 25/01/17 Emma Harper SNP Celebrating Burns and the Scots Language 26/01/17 Jackson Carlaw CON Holocaust Memorial Day 2017 31/01/17 Graeme Dey SNP Scotland’s Veterans 01/02/17 Sandra White SNP WASPI Campaign 02/02/17 Liam Kerr CON The Awards for Valour (Protection) Bill 07/02/17 Mike Rumbles LD Blackhillock to Kintore Transmission Line 08/02/17 Bill Kidd SNP The Jimmy Reid Foundation Report, Trident and its Successor Programme 09/02/17 Stuart McMillan SNP Barnardo's Scotland, Nurture Week 21/02/17 Annie Wells CON LGBT History Month Scotland 2017 22/02/17 Colin Beattie SNP Industrial Strategy for a More Prosperous, Fairer Britain 23/02/17 Lewis Macdonald LAB Co-investment in the UK Oil and Gas Sector 28/02/17 Kenneth Gibson SNP It’s OK to Talk. Period. 01/03/17 Alexander Stewart CON Safe Drive, Stay Alive Project 02/03/17 Fulton MacGregor SNP Apprenticeship Week 07/03/17 Alex Rowley LAB Local Government Finance and the State of the Debt 08/03/17 Linda Fabiani SNP Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal 09/03/17 Adam Tomkins CON Community Jobs Scotland 14/03/17 Ruth Maguire SNP Welcoming Play Scotland's Play Charter 15/03/17 Stuart McMillan SNP Commonwealth Day 2017 16/03/17 Ross Thomson CON Impact on North East Businesses of the Hike in Non-domestic Rates 21/03/17 Rhoda Grant LAB Triggers for Loneliness 22/03/17 John Finnie GRN Ship-to-ship Oil Transfers in the Cromarty and Moray Firths [business suspended] 23/03/17 Ben Macpherson SNP Justice for Yazidi People 28/03/17 Graeme Dey SNP Included in the Main?! 29/03/17 John Lamont CON Congratulations to Rotary District 1020 and Other Champions of Change Winners 30/03/17 Willie Rennie LD The Future of Elmwood Campus 18/04/17 Christine Grahame SNP Addaction 19/04/17 Monica Lennon LAB Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) Campaign 20/04/17 Clare Haughey SNP International Workers Memorial Day 2017
Record of Members’ Business taken by the Parliament in Session 5
Party SNP CONLAB GRN LD TOTAL
Frequency (no) 44 20 17 2 3 86
Frequency % 51.16 23.25 19.77 2.33 3.49 100
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BUSINESS MOTION
Date of Lodging: 25 April 2017 Short Title: Business Motion Joe FitzPatrick on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau: That the Parliament agrees the following programme of business—
Tuesday 2 May 2017
2.00 pm Time for Reflection followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Topical Questions (if selected) followed by Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee Debate: Deer Management in Scotland followed by Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee Debate: Review of Priorities for Crofting Law Reform followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business
Wednesday 3 May 2017
1.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
1.30 pm First Minister’s Questions
2.15 pm General Questions
2.35 pm Portfolio Questions Education and Skills followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
3.15 pm Decision Time
Tuesday 9 May 2017
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
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PB/S5/17/59 followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Topical Questions (if selected) followed by Scottish Government Business followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business
Wednesday 10 May 2017
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions Health and Sport followed by Scottish Government Business followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 11 May 2017
11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
11.40 am General Questions
12.00 pm First Minister's Questions followed by Members’ Business
2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.30 pm Scottish Government Business followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
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PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU
APPROVAL OF A SCOTTISH STATUTORY INSTRUMENT
1. The relevant lead committee has recommended that the following instrument be approved by the Parliament. Under Rule 10.6.5, the Bureau is required to lodge the following motion—
Joe FitzPatrick on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau: That the Parliament agrees that the International Organisations (Immunities and Privileges) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2017 [draft] be approved.
2. Business Managers should advise the Bureau if their party intends to speak against or oppose the motion when it is taken in the Chamber.
International Organisations (Immunities and Privileges) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2017 [draft]
Purpose 3. The purpose of the instrument is to amend the legal privileges and immunities on the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere which is also known as the European southern observatory (“ESO”) and on persons associated with that organisation, so far as this is within devolved competence of the Scottish Parliament.
4. The ESO is an intergovernmental organisation that is supported by 16 member states, including the United Kingdom and the host state of Chile. The ESO is developing a giant telescope, which is at an advanced stage of design, with astronomers and industry across Europe. The UK astronomy technology centre at the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, is leading the partners in the UK that are part of the international project. To enable the organisation to fulfil its purposes and carry out its functions, privileges and immunities apply by virtue of a practical protocol to a convention that was signed in 1974. The conferral of immunities and privileges on officers of the organisation is effectively a condition of membership.
5. The Order’s purpose is to correct an error made to the principal order—the International Organisations (Immunities and Privileges) (Scotland) Order 2009—by an amending Order in 2010. The error in the UK Order related to failure to confer certain immunities and privileges on officers of the organisation who are British nationals. When the Foreign and Commonwealth Office alerted the Scottish Government to the discrepancy in the UK order relating to reserved tax, officials reviewed the Scottish Order and discovered a different mistake that was unrelated to taxation. The Scottish Order had conferred too many immunities and privileges to the director general of the ESO or a person acting in their stead, in the event of their being a British national. The
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discrepancies in the Scottish Order have given rise to no practical issues (since 2007 the director general of the ESO has been a Dutch person).
Consideration by committee 6. The instrument was considered by the Justice Committee at its meeting on 18 April 2017. After debate, the motion to approve the instrument was agreed to (by division: For 10, Against 1, Abstentions 0). The Committee expects to publish its report on 21 April 2017.
Parliamentary Business Team April 2017
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