Official Report 173KB pdf
On the ethical standards bill, it is a sort of white paper—I do not know what it is called in this Parliament. A draft will come to us, which we will examine and comment on. Our comments will go back to the Executive. The Executive may take on board all of what we say, some of what we say, or none of it. The second stage, is when we can amend it if, for example, the Executive has taken cognisance of some of what we have said but we are not happy with other aspects.
I will clarify that slightly. When the draft is published, that is not one of the formal stages. The draft stage is for consultation with anyone who is interested and for pre-legislative scrutiny by this committee. It is then formally introduced in the chamber. That is stage 1, when there will be a debate. The second formal stage is the committee stage, stage 2, when the committee has the opportunity to scrutinise it line by line and accept amendments to it.
My understanding is that the pre-legislative scrutiny will take place before Christmas.
The plan is that the draft will be published within the next few weeks and that the bill will be formally introduced in the chamber early in the new year.
I confess total ignorance about how those matters work. At the stage when we examine the bill with an opportunity to amend it, will this committee have a formal discussion in which we have to give notice of amendments beforehand and work our way through them, or is it more flexible than that? To what extent is it formally laid down that if a member wants to move an amendment, they must give notice so that everybody is aware of what will be discussed at the meeting?
My understanding is that it is fairly formal and that amendments must be put down in writing.
A conference was held on Monday on the remaking of Scotland's local democracy. I understand that Donald spoke at it. Can I suggest that we get the papers from that, that we put it on to the agenda for next time and that Donald says a few words then about how he felt about the conference?
In my arrogant and busy way, I only attended my own session.
You can tell us about your own session.
I gave a highly entertaining address, but Morag Brown attended it all.
You and Morag can do a double act.
Wendy Alexander spoke in the morning.
We can have some comments because we will get the papers. That is all the business that we have for today, except for one thing that I want to be recorded. Several members have told me that they think that the papers that we get for this committee are very good. I want to rubber-stamp that and thank the clerks and everybody else who produces those papers for us. I find them easy to read, and if I find them understandable and helpful, they must be. We thank the clerks for that.
Meeting closed at 11:31.
Previous
Work Programme