Standards and Public Appointments Committee, 01 Nov 2005

Meeting date: Tuesday, November 1, 2005

Official Report 131KB pdf

---

Cross-party Groups

Agenda item 2 is a proposal for a cross-party group on dyslexia. As usual, we have the appropriate paperwork. The proposed group would comply with the rules and regulations. Rosemary Byrne, who would be one of three joint conveners, submitted the application. We hoped that she would be present to answer questions, but she is not. Do members have any questions or concerns?

The proposed group seems to conform to the cross-party group rules. On that basis, I have no outstanding concerns. I do not know about other members.

There are no further comments so, as the committee is content and the group complies with the rules, we will approve the application. I will write to the group on the committee's behalf.

Agenda item 3 is a request for recognition of a proposed cross-party group on Malawi. Karen Gillon submitted the application. Unfortunately, she is unwell and her co-convener, Michael Matheson, cannot attend the meeting. Do members have any comments or questions?

Members will see that my name—although spelled wrongly—is attached to the proposed group. I was not aware that nobody would be able to speak on the application's behalf. Given the focus that we have placed on Malawi, the Scottish connection with the country and the fact that the group accords with all the regulations that govern cross-party groups, I feel that the committee should see fit to approve the group.

Is that the committee's general feeling?

Members indicated agreement.

As with the cross-party group on dyslexia, the cross-party group on Malawi has been approved and I will write to it accordingly on the committee's behalf.

That puts the number of cross-party groups at more than 60. I suspect that some of them may be struggling a little, but I hope that we will have the opportunity to discuss in the foreseeable future how we deal with the viability of such groups.