European and External Relations Committee, 25 Oct 2005
Meeting date: Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Official Report
160KB pdf
Convener's Report
There are a range of items in the convener's report. The first three concern correspondence that we have sent to the Executive on items from previous meetings.
I wrote to Ross Finnie with the committee's points about his letter of 2 September on the Ferguson Shipbuilders bid for the fisheries protection vessels contract. I am still waiting for a response. Does anyone have any comments on the letter that went out?
It was an excellent letter.
I thought so too.
The second letter arose from a point that Jim Wallace made on the agenda for the transport council meeting on 6 October about public service requirements and the award of public service contracts for passenger transport by rail and road. Jim Wallace pointed out that the agenda did not cover air transport. Tavish Scott has replied and members have a copy of his letter, which mentions an existing regulation that appears to cover air transport. Are members happy to note the information and thank Tavish Scott for his response?
Members indicated agreement.
The third item was a request to the Executive for feedback on the better regulation conference that was held in Edinburgh on 22 and 23 September. We are still waiting for a response on that.
The next item is a letter and enclosures from Mr Finnie—we are keeping Mr Finnie very busy—on the transposition of the high-activity sealed sources and orphan sources directive, or HASS directive. The letter that was sent to the Environment and Rural Development Committee says that the intention is to implement the directive by means of UK-wide regulations and, additionally in Scotland, by directions to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Unless members have views, all we have to do is to thank the minister for copying the European and External Relations Committee into the correspondence.
We have received correspondence from my colleague Alyn Smith on the possibility of establishing a European institute of technology in Scotland. Do members have any comments? It is an interesting proposition. I have asked the Executive whether it has discussed it or done anything about it but I have not had anything back yet.
It is a good idea, and I am not saying that in a party-political way. We should think carefully about the fact that Scotland does not host a major institution of the European Union and should do so because it might enhance the image of Europe.
I know that Alyn Smith is very keen that the issue should not be seen as party political and that he has approached people from all political walks of life. There seems to be a general view that it would be a good idea. I am really anxious to hear whether the Executive has considered the possibility, so I will try to chase up the response. I am aware that consultation responses are required by 15 November, which does not leave an awful lot of time. Would it be acceptable if I continue to chase up the issue with the Executive and e-mail members about the responses?
Members indicated agreement.
It is an exciting idea and it would be a great pity if any one political party tried to take possession of it. I welcome the fact that you and Margaret Ewing have emphasised that point. It might be worth talking to ministers privately about it and seeing what can be done to improve the prospects of getting this institute for Scotland. It would be very valuable and relevant.
We can do that.
The next item concerns the agenda for the next meeting of the network of regional parliamentary European committees—NORPEC—which will be held in Magdeburg next week. I will attend the meeting with Dennis Canavan and Derek Brownlee, who will substitute for Phil Gallie. I know that Jim Wallace is unable to attend but I understand that Irene Oldfather will be the Labour party member.
I will certainly try my best to get there next week. I will be in touch with the clerks but I will have to find flights that fit in with the commitments that I already have. That will not be easy but Nick Hawthorne and I are going to look into it.
If that cannot be managed would another Labour member be able to attend?
No.
That would be a shame. We will try to get that sorted out as soon as possible.
Finally, we have learned than Josep Borrell, the president of the European Parliament, will visit the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 10 November. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is dealing with the visit. I now have some details of how the committee might be involved. There will be a meeting in one of the committee rooms between 1.00 and 1.30 on Thursday 10 November. It will be addressed by Mr Borrell and all MSPs will be invited. Members should put that in their diaries. The committee room is not confirmed but it should be committee room 2.
I thank members of the public for attending today. The next meeting of the committee will be on 8 November.
Meeting continued in private until 16:24.