Plenary, 06 Jul 2000

Meeting date: Thursday, July 6, 2000

Official Report 762KB pdf

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Witness Expenses and Allowances

The next item is consideration of motion S1M-1086, in the name of Robert Brown, on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, on witness expenses and allowances, and amendment S1M-1086.1, in the name of Dr Richard Simpson.

The allowances were based on the court rates. The corporate body is quite happy to accept the amendment in Dr Simpson's name, which presents a sensible point.

I move,

That the Parliament determines that:

(a) allowances and expenses in respect of the matters set out in column (1) below be paid or payable, as the case may be, in accordance with Rule 2.6.2 or 12.4.3 of the Standing Orders, as the case may be, to a person who attends proceedings of the Parliament for the purpose of giving evidence or who produces documents in his or her custody or under his or her control;

(b) said allowances and expenses be at the rates set out in column (2) opposite the respective entries in column (1);

(c) the rates set out in column (2) be uprated in accordance with column (3);

(d) the SPCB be directed to issue guidance and provide claim forms in connection with the payment of such allowances and expenses; and

(e) that the qualifying date for such expenses and allowances be 1 July 1999.

[The table appears as annexe 1 after column 1306.]

I am delighted that the amendment to increase child care rates to a more appropriate level—above the minimum wage—will be accepted.

I move amendment S1M-1086.1, in the line beginning "childcare costs, specially incurred", in column (2), leave out "£2.50 per hour" and insert:

"up to £5 per hour".