Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, 28 Oct 2008

Meeting date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Official Report 95KB pdf

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Cross-party Groups

The committee's agreement to the establishment of two cross-party groups is sought. Neither group has previously been active. Members are aware that in considering whether to approve a proposed CPG we must take account of a range of matters, such as the group's purpose and whether it is being formed on the basis of public interest.

First, we will consider the proposed CPG on co-operatives. No member of the group is present, but officials asked a couple of questions and received a response from Willie Coffey's assistant, which addressed their queries.

I should say that I am a member of the group.

I put my name down for the group, too.

Okay. The registration form lists some non-MSPs from organisations that are listed as organisational members. Under the code of conduct for MSPs, an organisation can have only one vote, although it can be represented by different individuals at CPG meetings. Likewise, each non-MSP individual member has one vote. Mr Coffey's assistant said:

"The affiliations of the individuals are given for the purposes of transparency only; there is no suggestion that any organisation will have more than one representative to the CPG … Organisations will be represented at meetings by a named individual. Anyone who is an individual member of the group but is representing an organisation at a group meeting will participate in the meeting in that capacity only and will not have two votes."

The response clears up the issue and makes clear the basis on which people can come to meetings and be entitled to vote. However, if we agree to the group's establishment, we must make it clear that registration is on the basis that members should join either as representatives of an organisation or in an individual capacity.

Our officials also asked how much money or equivalent support the group would receive. Mr Coffey's assistant replied:

"If approved, the CPG will establish a programme of meetings and activities. When that is done, and the input required from the Secretary is clear, the value of that input will be calculated, and, if greater than £250, will be declared."

The group is certainly aware of the rules, although the rules might change shortly, depending on what decision is made, and the threshold for declaring benefits might be increased to £500. I suggest that if we agree to the group's registration we make it clear in our letter that we do so on the basis of the rules. Are members content to recognise the group?

Members indicated agreement.

The second proposed cross-party group is on coronary heart disease and stroke. None of the proposed office bearers is able to attend this meeting. If members have questions about the group, I will write to its proposed convener, Roseanna Cunningham, to seek clarification.

I am a member of the group and I will be happy to try to answer the committee's questions.

No questions were raised by our officials.

I have no objection to the group's establishment, but I am conscious of the sheer number of cross-party groups that are formed, particularly to consider illnesses of various kinds. The appropriate staffing of cross-party groups is a major issue in a Parliament of 129 members—perhaps 100 members take part in such groups, if we eliminate ministers and members who do not take part. I am a member of one or two groups and have been a member of many others, and I think that members will find that it is possible to do a proper job on only two or three groups. Is attention given to the number of cross-party groups?

There are restrictions only in relation to how groups are established; there is no limit on the number of groups, although there is the practical issue of servicing groups with enough MSPs, as you said. For my part, I have restricted my involvement to two groups, I think. I do not think that there has been a proposal to restrict the number of groups.

It would not be practical to do that and I am not saying that we should do so. However, there is an issue. There has been a cross-party group on almost every ailment known to man or woman. I accept that the proposed group that we are talking about is on an important matter.

You will know this better than I do, but whether a group is set up often reflects the vehemence of the interest group for the particular niche.

Yes, absolutely.

Are members happy to approve the establishment of the cross-party group on coronary heart disease and stroke?

Members indicated agreement.