Plenary, 09 Jun 2004

Meeting date: Wednesday, June 9, 2004

Official Report 396KB pdf

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Parliamentary Bureau Motions

The next item of business is consideration of five Parliamentary Bureau motions. If any member wants to speak against any of the motions, they should press their request-to-speak button after the motion is moved.

Motions moved,

That the Parliament agrees that the Justice 1 Committee be designated as lead committee in consideration of the Victim Statements (Prescribed Offences) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2004 (SSI 2004/246).

That the Parliament agrees that the Justice 1 Committee be designated as lead committee in consideration of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code: Proposed Code (SE/2004/101).

That the Parliament agrees that the Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning) (Orkney) (Scotland) Order 2004 (SSI 2004/221) be approved.—[Patricia Ferguson.]

On several occasions in the chamber, we have made it clear that the Executive's proposed method of control of amnesic shellfish poisoning is overkill. It is clear, and we have given the evidence, that the European Union is satisfied with end-product testing. Why then does the Executive continue with this illogical system? The safety margins in end-product testing are identical to the safety margins in the system for which the minister is arguing. We will move against the Executive on this again and hope that it might pay attention one day.

I will explain to the chamber exactly what was in the mind of the Parliamentary Bureau when it arrived at the formulation in motions S2M-1437 and S2M-1439, but first I will refer to Mr Davidson's contribution. Having heard my colleague Mr McCabe expound the arguments so many times before, I would have thought that Mr Davidson would now understand that the orders on amnesic shellfish poisoning are necessary. It is the fact that we have the regime that we do that has prevented difficulties from arising.

Motions S2M-1437 and S2M-1439 are procedural motions that will allow additional time for consideration of amendments at stage 3 of the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Bill next week. The proposed timescale is in line with information that we have received from the clerks about what might be required. Motion S2M-1437 seeks to move next Thursday's decision time to 5.30 pm. As a result, proceedings next Thursday might extend into the evening. The bureau therefore agreed to recommend that members' business on that day be dispensed with, and that is what motion S2M-1439 seeks to do.

During the debate that the bill be passed, the Executive will request that that debate be extended if required. In addition to the two procedural motions before members, that will allow a maximum of an extra one and a half hours to deal with amendments and the debate to pass the bill. I hope that that is helpful to the chamber.

I move,

That the Parliament agrees under Rule 11.2.4 of the Standing Orders that Decision Time on Thursday 17 June 2004 shall begin at 5.30pm.

That the Parliament agrees that Rule 5.6.1(c) of the Standing Orders be suspended for the duration of the Meeting of the Parliament on Thursday 17 June 2004.

The questions on all five motions will be put at decision time.