Plenary, 03 Mar 2005
Meeting date: Thursday, March 3, 2005
Official Report
722KB pdf
Points of Order
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. As you are aware, last week this Parliament agreed a motion on identity cards that called
"on the Executive to make a full statement on the intended use of the identity database by devolved institutions".
During First Minister's question time, the First Minister implied that his response to my Green colleague Shiona Baird's question was his "full statement" on the matter. As you are aware, rule 13.2.1 of the standing orders states:
"Where a member of the Scottish Executive or junior Scottish Minister wishes to make a statement to a meeting of the Parliament … notice shall be given to the Presiding Officer."
Was such notice given to you by the First Minister?
A number of members wish to make points of order, so I will take them all now.
First, in reply to Mr Ballard, I have to say that no such request has been received. With regard to a statement or something similar, that is of course entirely a matter for the Executive, not for me as Presiding Officer. However, I am sure that you have made your point on this occasion.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I think that a wee bit of banter in the chamber is necessary, even healthy. Indeed, I indulge in a wee bit of banter myself most days. For example, David McLetchie said today that the members of the Executive were ostriches and I pointed out that they were in fact chickens. I am no shrinking violet in this respect.
However, during my closing remarks in the G8 debate, what can be described only as a rammie was taking place on the right hand side of the chamber. If I behave in that way at the G8 summit, I am likely to be done for a breach of the peace. Such prolonged and cumulative noise during a member's closing remarks is disrespectful to the Parliament and the member in question—[Interruption.] They are doing it again. I am raising this point of order because a member of the public asked me to do so.
Presiding Officer, will you reiterate the need for members to keep their responses under control when they might have a cumulative effect? Moreover, will you ensure that measures are implemented to deal with the matter?
The degree of banter or heckling in the chamber is largely a matter for me. If members give out, they must expect to take back. [Applause.] Nevertheless, I should remind members that they have an obligation to be respectful and courteous to each other on all occasions.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. At First Minister's question time, the First Minister repeatedly asserted that the Conservative party voted against the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Bill. I have no doubt that he sincerely believes that assertion, but I wish in the interests of accuracy to point out that the Conservative party voted in favour of the bill at stage 1 and voted in favour of passing the bill at stage 3. I simply want the Presiding Officer to affirm that, even in the heat of political debate, accuracy is important.
By making that point of order, you have placed your point on the record. However, I have to say that this is a matter for the Scottish ministerial code, not for me, and if you wish to pursue it, you should take it up directly with the First Minister.
There are no more points of order.
Hooray!