Meeting of the Parliament [Draft]

Meeting date: Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Official Report 1179KB pdf

Point of Order

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Rule 12 of the Parliament’s standing orders is on conveners of committees. Rule 12.1.12 states:

“Where the convener is not available for any meeting of the committee, or leaves the chair for part of any meeting, that meeting, or that part of the meeting, shall be chaired by the deputy convener.”

Rule 12.3 is on committee meetings. Under rule 12.3.2,

“A committee shall meet ... in Scotland at such place as it may decide, with the approval of the Parliamentary Bureau and the Conveners Group”.

Will the Presiding Officer clarify whether it is proper practice for a convener to chair a committee remotely online, or if that duty should be passed to the deputy convener in their place? Further, articles in the news last week highlighted that Douglas Ross will be in the Turks and Caicos Islands tomorrow, where it will be 3 am when he is due to convene the Education, Children and Young People Committee. Will she confirm whether that is acceptable?

Thank you, Mr MacDonald. The Parliament’s standing orders make no distinction between virtual attendance and in-person attendance at committee meetings, as is the case in relation to the chamber. It is the convener’s role to chair the committee meeting if they are present, whether in person or virtually.