The first item of business is consideration of business motion S1M-3344, in the name of Patricia Ferguson, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme. I ask Euan Robson to move the motion, which is printed in the business bulletin.
Motion moved,
That the Parliament agrees—
(a) as a revision to the Business Programme agreed on Wednesday 26 June 2002:
Wednesday 4 September 2002
after first Parliamentary Bureau Motions, delete all and insert
followed by Executive Debate on Scottish Water Supplies and Public Health
followed by Ministerial Statement on the World Summit on Sustainable Development
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business—debate on the subject of S1M-3327 Karen Gillon: Attacks on Emergency Service Staff
(b) the following programme of business—
Thursday 5 September 2002
9.30 am Ministerial Statement on Prison Estates
followed by Executive Debate on The Scottish Fuel Poverty Statement
followed by Business Motion
2.30 pm Question Time
3.10 pm First Minister's Question Time
3.30 pm Executive Debate on Throughcare and Aftercare of Looked After Children
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business—debate on the subject of S1M-3309 Mrs Margaret Ewing: NHS Dental Services in Moray
and (c) that Stage 1 of the Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Bill be completed by 1 November 2002.—[Euan Robson.]
I have received one request to speak against the motion. I call Andrew Wilson.
I rise to speak against the business motion because I think it important that the Parliament recognises that, during the summer recess, the Scottish economy entered recession for the first time in 20 years. We are back to the bad old days of Mrs Thatcher and the Conservatives. Although our request for a recall of Parliament was rejected by the Presiding Officer, whose point of view we must respect—the referee's decision is final—we believe that the Executive is required to bring a matter of such central importance to Scotland's future as a subject for debate in the Parliament as soon as possible.
The Parliamentary Bureau discussed the matter in some detail, but the SNP proposal was not pressed. In view of Mr Wilson's comments, that is perhaps surprising. I understand that the SNP will choose the Scottish economy as the subject for its debate next Thursday. I do not propose to change the motion.
Motion agreed to.
The second business motion is S1M-3332, in the name of Patricia Ferguson, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out the date for completion of stage 1 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill.
Motion moved,
That the Parliament agrees that the date for completion of Stage 1 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill be extended to 18 September 2002.—[Euan Robson.]
Motion agreed to.
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Time for Reflection