Procedures Committee, 15 Feb 2000
Meeting date: Tuesday, February 15, 2000
Official Report
113KB pdf
Correspondence
We are quorate, although we have apologies from Andy Kerr, Michael Russell and Donald Gorrie.
The first item was raised some months ago but it was agreed that it was not a priority issue. There was concern about the possible conflict of interests that might arise from members operating as conveners of the subject committees that cover the brief for which they are their parties' spokespeople. The issue was raised by George Lyon in a letter and the report before us today includes correspondence from him, John Swinney and the Presiding Officer, and an extract from the Official Report of 15 September. The report also contains research work that has been done to find out what the situation is in other Parliaments and an analysis of issues that have arisen or might arise.
I have been talking for several minutes to allow time for Gordon Jackson to gather his papers together and for someone to find his name-plate. Now that he is official, we will begin discussion of the paper.
I do not know if members have any views on the matter, but I believe that, while it seemed that it might become a problem early in the life of the Parliament, it has not done so. It might be reasonable to advise the Parliamentary Bureau that we have discussed this issue and to invite the bureau to let us know if it thinks that there are any difficulties in the way that the Parliament has been operating.
I am confused that we are discussing this issue again. I thought that we had discussed it fully before and had taken the view that you have just expressed. I believe that we decided to come back to the issue once the Parliament had been in existence for about a year.
I agree with that. Any member could have a conflict of interest as, to a greater or lesser extent, we are all party spokespersons, as we demonstrate in the chamber. I have heard you being very passionate at times, convener.
I do not think that you should be saying that, Gil.
I will leave it on record.
If you happen to be passed the black spot and become a spokesperson for your party, convener, I do not think that you will face any conflict of interest. I think that the paper suggests that Labour and Liberal members might be more likely to face a conflict of interests due to the pressure to keep the pack together. Having said that, I see no reason why anyone should not be a convener. I will hold that view even in a year's time.
I am the deputy convener of a committee whose convener is a party spokesperson. I can see that there might be a problem with that in theory, but it has not been a problem in practice. To revisit it before a problem arises would be pointless.
From our discussion, it is clear that we do not have to be as proactive as I suggested at the outset. It might be appropriate to advise Mr Lyon that we have discussed the matter and that we will review the situation if a difficulty arises in the future. We feel that the situation can take care of itself. Are we agreed?
Members indicated agreement.