The next item of business is the consideration of two business motions. The first is motion S1M-3057, in the name of Patricia Ferguson, which is a timetabling motion for stage 3 of the Scottish Qualifications Authority Bill, which is to be taken this afternoon. Any member who wishes to speak against the motion should press their request-to-speak button now.
Motion moved,
That the Parliament agrees that, at Stage 3 of the Scottish Qualifications Authority Bill, debate on each part of the proceedings shall be brought to a conclusion by the time-limits indicated (each time-limit being calculated from when Stage 3 begins and excluding any periods when the meeting is suspended)—
Groups 1 and 2 no later than 1 hour
Motion to pass the Bill—no later than 1 hour 30 minutes.—[Euan Robson.]
Motion agreed to.
Motion S1M-3055, in the name of Patricia Ferguson on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, sets out the business programme. Again I ask any member who wishes to speak against the motion to press their request-to-speak button now.
Motion moved,
That the Parliament agrees—
(a) the following programme of business—
Wednesday 8 May 2002
2.30 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Executive Debate on Sustainable Development—Meeting the Needs
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business—debate on the subject of S1M-2966 Margaret Smith: World Asthma Day, 7 May 2002
Thursday 9 May 2002
9.30 am Social Justice Committee Debate on the Voluntary Sector
followed by Business Motion
followed by Ministerial Statement on New National Qualifications
2.30 pm Question Time
3.10 pm First Minister's Question Time
3.30 pm Executive Debate on Action to Recruit, Retain and Value Nurses
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Wednesday 15 May 2002
2.30 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Executive Business
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Thursday 16 May 2002
9.30 am Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Business
followed by Business Motion
2.30 pm Question Time
3.10 pm First Minister's Question Time
3.30 pm Executive Business
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
and (b) that Stage 1 of the University of St. Andrews (Postgraduate Medical Degrees) Bill be completed by 27 June 2002.—[Euan Robson.]
I had not intended to speak against the motion, but I notice that members' business for 15 May is not itemised. It was discussed at last week's meeting of the Parliamentary Bureau, and again at this week's meeting, that the debate would be a motion by Michael Russell of the SNP on the case of Shirley McKie. I understand that it may be because of a printing oversight that that has not appeared in the business bulletin.
I think that I am correct in saying that business motions merely state "Members' Business" but never actually specify what that business is.
The business is usually specified.
The clerks advise me that the business is sometimes specified, but not always. There is a perfectly good reason for that. We are not always aware of what members' business will be when the business motion is accepted. Often, the Parliamentary Bureau will decide that a particular day will be an SNP day or a Labour day, but the actual motion for debate will not follow until later. However, I advise the chamber that there may be a legal difficulty with Mr Russell's proposed motion.
Not particularly, Presiding Officer, except to point out that we have not specified members' business on Thursday 9 May either, according to my reading of the business motion.
The ruling is clear: it is not necessary, when moving a business motion, to specify the topic of members' business, nor the member who has secured it.
Motion agreed to.
Meeting suspended until 14:30.
On resuming—
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