Plenary, 07 Feb 2002

Meeting date: Thursday, February 7, 2002

Official Report 792KB pdf

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Point of Order

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Today, a written answer was published for a parliamentary question that Des McNulty lodged. The written answer states that copies of the second consultation paper on the water environment and water services bill will be placed

"in the Parliament's Reference Centre".

Allan Wilson, who is the minister with responsibility for water, has issued a press release that mentions the second consultation paper. I should say that the press release makes no mention of opening up the water industry to competition. My point of order is that there are no copies of the consultation paper in the Scottish Parliament information centre this afternoon. The minister is hiding the truth.

The issue has been looked into. The documents in question do not appear to be where they are said to be. It is clear that further clarification and reporting back will be required. I am not in a position to say any more at this stage.