Chamber and committees

The Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee has agreed the following areas of work for the rest of 2021 and 2022.

This work programme might change but will be updated if any changes have been made.

For further details or questions, please contact the clerks to the Committee.

Code of Conduct

The Committee agreed to review the Code of Conduct for MSPs to propose changes to make some of the rules in the Code clearer. This work will take place over the course of the current parliamentary session, with the Committee focusing on individual sections or parts of the Code in turn.

Parliamentary Procedures

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Scottish Parliament has met in virtual or hybrid formats with either all or some MSPs participating by means of a virtual platform.

The Committee will look at how the procedures in virtual and hybrid meetings of the Parliament and committees can be improved to retain the key features of debate and allow greater participation by MSPs. As part of this work, the Committee will consider the introduction of proxy voting and other ways to support MSPs’ participation in parliamentary business. Proxy voting is where an MSP can vote on behalf of another MSP who is absent for a specific reason.

The Committee will also consider how the speed and quality of responses to parliamentary questions can be improved.

Freedom of Information

The Committee will monitor information on responses to Freedom of Information requests by the Scottish Government and any developments in relation to Freedom of Information legislation.

Regulated Lobbying

The Committee will consider the implementation of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act and any further changes to the legislation.

Elections

The Committee will conduct work relating to Scottish elections, including inquiry work on voter turnout and voting patterns in disadvantaged communities.

Cross-Party Groups

The Committee will monitor the number of Cross-Party Groups established in the current parliamentary session. 

Committee correspondence

See all of this committee's correspondence

Official Reports

See all of this committee's Official Reports

Committee reports

See all of this committee's reports

To consider and report on the following (and any additional matter added under Rule 6.1.5A)—

(a) the practice and procedures of the Parliament in relation to its business;

(b) whether a member’s conduct is in accordance with these Rules and any Code of Conduct for members, matters relating to members interests, and any other matters relating to the conduct of members in carrying out their Parliamentary duties;

(c) the adoption, amendment and application of any Code of Conduct for members;

(d) matters relating to public appointments in Scotland;

(e) matters relating to the regulation of lobbying; and

(f) matters falling within the responsibility of the Minister for Parliamentary Business.

2. Where the Committee considers it appropriate, it may by motion recommend that a member’s rights and privileges be withdrawn to such extent and for such period as are specified in the motion.