Standards Committee, 18 Dec 2002
Meeting date: Wednesday, December 18, 2002
Official Report
109KB pdf
Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 2002
The next item on our agenda is consideration of changes to section 10 of the "Code of Conduct for Members of the Scottish Parliament". The changes are consequential to the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 2002.
The changes will set out the four-stage investigative process and explain the responsibilities of the commissioner in handling complaints. The Parliament's directorate of legal services has prepared some draft directions that we are empowered to make under the act—for example, on how anonymous complaints should be dealt with. If we agree to the changes today, they will be published before Christmas so that we can seek the Parliament's agreement to the amendments early in the new year. Do members want to comment on the proposed changes to the code, the draft directions or the committee report? I have been through the changes with a fine-toothed comb and regard them as appropriate.
Have we not considered the changes before?
Yes—I am bringing them before the committee formally for a decision.
Michael Russell has left the room. I ask other members not to leave—if they do, we will not be quorate.
Are members content with the changes?
Members indicated agreement.