Cross-party Group
Agenda item 3 is consideration of an application for a cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on a culture of peace in Scotland. The application was submitted by Chris Ballance, who I am delighted to welcome to the meeting. I think that Chris was present, if not at our last meeting, then at the one before that for a similar reason. Do you have any remarks to add to the detailed application that is before us?
I should start by giving an on-the-record absolute promise that I will not attempt to start any more cross-party groups during this session of Parliament—assuming that today's application is successful. There are 58 cross-party groups and I am aware that a monitoring mechanism might be needed to ensure that all cross-party groups operate in accordance with standing orders and have properly attended meetings. That argument is completely separate—it is not a case for rejecting the establishment of a new cross-party group that is properly constituted and, I hope, in good order.
The objective of the group incorporates the phrase "creating a culture of peace", which is one of the central themes—if not the central theme—of the United Nations over this decade. That phrase has been chosen deliberately to coincide with a key theme of the United Nations.
The proposal stems from my members' business debate on peace education, which took place about 18 months ago. The subject of that debate attracted more than 100 messages to the Parliament's bulletin board, which meant that it was among the topics that attracted most public interest in the bulletin board's lifetime. Messages of support were received from a range of Scottish people, including the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and from further afield—for example, from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. We also obtained the Executive's support for such programmes of activity. During the debate in question, the Deputy Minister for Education and Young People said:
"We will certainly encourage projects such as that throughout Scotland."—[Official Report, 24 June 2004; c 9643.]
The proposal has wide support. I point out that the group would not be a pacifist group, but would promote peaceful ways of working, whenever that is possible. No other cross-party group operates in the same area. What could be more important than supporting and raising the profile of people and organisations in Scotland that work towards creating a culture of peace in schools and civic society?
Our role is to ensure that cross-party groups comply with the current regulations. It appears that no members have any questions.
I am grateful for Chris Ballance's commitment that he will not attempt to start any more cross-party groups this session. I remind the committee that we have agreed that we will consider how we can manage the number of CPGs. As far as I can see, Chris Ballance's proposal complies with the regulations. Are members content that we accept the application?
Members indicated agreement.
I thank Chris Ballance for his time; I will write to him in due course.