On a point of order, Presiding Officer. You are aware that I have secured today's members' business debate. The motion featured on what I think is called the discussion board on the Parliament's website. I understand that, at some stage this morning, reference to the motion was removed from the website under instructions from officials of the Parliament, but has subsequently been reinstated. Will you give the Parliament the background to those decisions?
Forgive me, but I do not want to hold up question time. I undertake to have the matter reviewed by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. In the meantime, the motion has been reinstated on the website. That is the important point. I am concerned about the matter.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Will you tell us when it was reinstated? I know that it was on the website at 12 noon and that it was gone at 12.15 pm.
I decided a few minutes ago that it was to be reinstated.
A few minutes ago? On your instructions?
Yes.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. In today's business bulletin, question 2 is listed under the name of Mrs Dorothy-Grace Elder. You will be aware of recent publicity about Mrs Dorothy-Grace Elder's resignation from the Scottish National Party group in the Scottish Parliament and from membership of the Scottish National Party. Is it competent for a member in that position, who sits in the Parliament as the result of election under the party list system, to remain a member of the Scottish Parliament when she has intimated resignation from her party?
Yes. The Scotland Act 1998 is quite clear. Once a member is elected to the Scottish Parliament, he or she can be removed only by resignation, death or disqualification. In this case, none of those circumstances has occurred. Can we proceed with question time?
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I refer to the points that were made by my good friend Alasdair Morgan and by the leader of the Scottish Socialist Party. I inquire about the present situation with respect to rule 16.4 of the standing orders, which relates to the broadcasting of proceedings. Where are we in the development of a code of conduct that relates to the broadcasting of the Parliament's proceedings? Was the decision to suspend the bulletin board taken by the Parliament's chief executive under standing order 16.4.2 without reference to the members?
No. I do not want to hold up question time. The members' business debate tonight was always going to be broadcast and webcast. The only question related to an interactive forum. The corporate body has never discussed the matter. It will now do so.
I asked who took the decision. If it was not the corporate body and it was not the chamber, was it the Parliament's chief executive?
With respect, we are not going to name officials in the chamber. The corporate body will deal with the matter and I will report to the Parliament after that.
I am sorry, Mr Quinan, but you are holding up question time. If you want to pursue the matter, come and see me afterwards.
Previous
Business MotionsNext
Question Time