We have first to deal with a manuscript amendment, which I will read out to the chamber. In principle, manuscript amendments are undesirable—in fact, there is nothing about them in our standing orders. On this occasion I will accept it, in the interests of general sweetness and light. However, when I saw this amendment yesterday I started to redraft it, as I realised that it was technically incorrect. I was advised by the clerk to save my pen and ink, because the clerks had already discussed it. The moral is that advice from the clerks or from my office should be listened to a little more carefully, as we would then not have to deal with manuscript amendments. I am not looking at anyone in particular, as I do not know who was responsible.
The question is, that the amendment, as amended, be agreed to.
Amendment, as amended, agreed to.
The question is, that motion S1M-481, as amended, be agreed to.
Motion, as amended, agreed to.
Resolved,
That the Parliament welcomes the establishment and recent inaugural meeting of the British-Irish Council; believes it has an important role to play in the promotion and development of harmonious and mutually beneficial relationships among the peoples of these islands, in promoting co-operation between the participating administrations within their competencies and in working together on issues of importance to the peoples they serve; welcomes the fact that the Scottish Executive has lead responsibility, with the National Assembly for Wales, for co-ordinating the Council's consideration of social justice issues, and intends to develop corresponding links with the Parliaments concerned, recognising that this Council as envisaged in Strand 3 of the Belfast Agreement should also have effective Parliamentary representation.
The question is, that motion S1M-490, in the name of Tom McCabe, on the designation of lead committees, be agreed to.
Motion agreed to.
That the Parliament agrees the following designations of Lead Committees—
The Health and Community Care Committee to consider The Food (Animal Products from Belgium) (Emergency Control) (Scotland) Order 2000 (SSI 2000/15)
The Health and Community Care Committee to consider The Animal Feedingstuffs from Belgium (Control) (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (SSI 2000/16)
That is the shortest ever decision time.
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A9 (Improvements)