Chamber and committees

Parliamentary procedures and practices inquiry

Background

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 agreed to 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. 

Consultation of MSPs

The Committee gathered the views of MSPs in four focus group discussions. A summary of the views expressed by MSPs at the focus group discussions is available.

Read the summary (78KB, pdf) posted 28 June 2022

The Committee also surveyed MSPs and 24 responses were received.

Read the responses

The Committee wrote to the following bodies within the Scottish Parliament to seek their views on the Committee’s inquiry and received the following responses:

• Written submission from the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

• Written submission from the Parliamentary Bureau 

• Written submission from the Conveners Group

The following political parties also provided written evidence:

• Written submission from the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party 

• Written submission from the Scottish Parliamentary Labour Party 

The Committee also received written evidence from Dr Alex Prior, Dr Mark Shephard and Sebastian Ludwicki Ziegler

Inquiry report

The Committee published its report on 7 July 2022.

Read the report.