Plenary, 09 Dec 1999

Meeting date: Thursday, December 9, 1999

Official Report 826KB pdf

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Devolution

Motion moved,

That the Parliament agrees that The Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) (No. 2) Order 1999 be approved.—[Iain Smith.]

The question is, that motion S1M-369 be agreed to.

Motion agreed to.

Question, That the meeting be now adjourned until 2.30 pm today, put and agreed to.—[Iain Smith.]

Meeting adjourned at 12:29.

On resuming—

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. At 12.20 this morning, the Deputy Minister for Parliament said that there would be no statement on the matter of John Rafferty. A press statement was issued at

12.52 announcing that Mr Rafferty would leave the Executive's employment. Have you had notice that the Executive will make a statement, and do you think that the Executive should make a statement on the matter? The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel): In fairness to the deputy minister, he said that there would be no statement to Parliament. Someone joining or leaving the employment of the Executive is not a major policy announcement of the kind that must be made to Parliament. In any case, on this day of all days, people have the chance to question the First Minister if they feel strongly about the matter.