Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Meeting date: Thursday, December 15, 2016

Official Report 427KB pdf

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Cross-party Groups (Approval)

Our final agenda item in public is consideration of the cross-party group proposals that have been presented to the committee today. I first ask members for comments on the proposed Scottish horse racing and bloodstock industries CPG.

My only comment is about the external membership of the group. I heard what Miles Briggs said about the intention to bring in a wider range of members, and I hope that that happens, but it feels a bit odd to have a group with only one external member—and that member representing an industry interest. Some of what Miles Briggs said seems to imply that he wants the CPG itself to provide a voice for an industry that he feels is not represented in other CPGs, and that is not the role of a cross-party group.

A number of other CPGs could end up expressing the commercial interests of an industry, whether that is independent convenience stores, aviation, oil and gas or food, but most of them have a pretty broad range of external members. Most of them involve not just commercial members but trade unions, academics with an interest in the subject, other organisations and community organisations. I hope that the CPG moves in that direction instead of only representing the commercial interests in its external membership.

I declare an interest as someone who wants to become involved in the proposed CPG. However, I agree with what Patrick Harvie says—I think that he is absolutely right. It is a point well made. I was a little surprised to see that the group has only one external member.

It is something that I have wanted to set up for years, to be honest, but I never quite managed it. There is an opportunity to bring in people from every aspect of horse racing, including the welfare side. World Horse Welfare exists—members may remember receptions that we had in Parliament 10 years ago, when such issues were discussed. Notwithstanding that, there is an opportunity for parliamentarians to be made aware of the joys of horse racing and its benefits to communities. It is certainly a benefit to my community in a naked commercial sense, but there are wider issues, too. I am happy to support the group.

I have a mild concern about the way in which the group’s aims have been drawn up. They are very focused on the commercial aspects, which I do not disregard at all—within those premises, the points are well made. However, it is important for CPGs to acknowledge the wider impacts and external issues. For example, if we were considering a proposed CPG on the motor industry, I would hope that it would acknowledge climate change even if that were not its primary focus and although other groups might focus on that. Given the nature of the group, I think that it would be advisable—if I can put it that way—for there to be some note on animal welfare.

I echo Patrick Harvie’s points. I would like to see representation from the Jockey Club—I have no idea whether I am getting my terms right—as well as workers’ representatives from the wider industry. Indeed, even tourism bodies may have an interest. I do not believe that there is any particular interest involved, but there is a danger that, if we allow CPGs to pursue narrow commercial interests, they might become something that they are not intended to be.

I seek some advice from the clerks regarding similar cases. I am thinking particularly of the cross-party group on Scotch whisky. Is its remit broadly defined or is it simply to promote the whisky industry in Scotland?

CPGs take many forms and some have broader memberships than others. It is perfectly legitimate for this committee, having assessed the application from the proposed CPG, to feed back to it—and to other proposed CPGs—your desire to see broader membership to reflect the issues that the group might consider. Ultimately, it will be up to individual organisations to determine whether they wish to be members of the group.

Obviously, the comments that members have made today are on the record. The convener could write to the proposed CPG indicating the committee’s desire.

I note for comparison that the majority of external members of the cross-party group on Scotch whisky have commercial interests, but it also includes the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Enterprise, so there is at least some breadth. Similarly, most members of the cross-party group on aviation have a commercial interest, but at least there is a range of members.

In general terms, it is about breadth. It is not about excluding anyone; it is about bringing in a wider range of views than just one.

I was going to make the same point. I am a member of the cross-party group on aviation. The airports are very much represented, as are the airlines, so there are certainly commercial interests. In the cross-party group on food, some of the major players are represented. As long as there is breadth and there are a variety of topics on the agendas of cross-party groups, they can cover all the issues over a period of time.

As I said, I am not against the proposed group. I take on board some of the views that have been expressed. I was surprised to learn that horse racing is the second largest spectator sport. To me, that says many things, but if that is the case, we have to engage and find out about the economic development, the gambling and the VisitScotland enterprises that come from it. All those things have a part to play in managing that situation. Televised horse racing is now seen across the world rather than just across the country, and it creates an image of Scotland and of the sector. However, the group also needs to consider welfare and other issues or it will not be representative. Its remit should say that it covers not only the sector but all its spin-offs, so that it covers the whole process.

If we are minded to accept that the group should go ahead, we can probably do one of two things. We could not agree to it today but go back to Miles Briggs and ask him to show some recruitment of outside agencies and consider changing the remit slightly. I do not think that he would have to come back to the committee; it would just be a case of us looking at that information. Alternatively, we could approve the group and note that its annual report must show that our comments have been taken on board and there is a diverse membership. Are members minded one way or the other?

I am happy to support the creation of the group but I suggest that we pencil into our work programme, perhaps towards the end of the first year of the session—just before the summer recess next year—a session where we take an overview of how CPGs are working in general and how broad their external memberships are.

That is a good suggestion.

That is a good suggestion.

I agree that that is reasonable.

Is everybody happy with that?

Members indicated agreement.

That is fine. We approve the CPG and the member will be informed in due course.

Secondly, we heard from Emma Harper on the proposed CPG on lung health. I invite members to comment.

I am happy to support the group.

Emma Harper made a very valid point when she talked about all the different sectors and the diseases that are involved. To bring them all together under one umbrella is exactly what should be done, and health inequalities fall into that as well. That is without question the way to take the matter forward.

I agree with Mr Stewart’s comments. Is the committee minded to approve the group?

Members indicated agreement.

Thank you. We will move into private session.

10:45 Meeting continued in private until 10:58.