Education, Culture and Sport Committee, 06 Mar 2001

Meeting date: Tuesday, March 6, 2001

Official Report 182KB pdf

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Subordinate Legislation

Item 4 on the agenda is to consider, under negative procedure, the General Teaching Council (Scotland) Election Scheme 2001 Approval Order 2001 (SSI 2001/18). Members will have received the paper from the clerks. It sets out the purpose of the order, which details the rules for elections for members of the General Teaching Council for Scotland. The issue was subject to considerable debate by this committee during its consideration of the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Bill. Does anybody want to comment?

The SNP opposes the changes that were made, as indeed does the GTC on some details. However, as the bill has been passed, it would be churlish or foolish—possibly both—to oppose the instrument, because what it proposes is going to happen anyway. I will put on record our belief that what is proposed are not the best changes to help the GTC or democracy and openness in Scottish education.

I draw the committee's attention to article eight (16), which could be the best thing in the instrument and should perhaps be extended to all elections. It states:

"The Returning Officer shall have the right to edit any election statement if it exceeds the permitted number of words or because it contains statements which are intended to deceive or are of a defamatory or offensive nature."

That would keep returning officers very busy.

Thank you, Michael. Are there any comments? Do members support the instrument?

Members indicated agreement.