There are four questions to be put as a result of today’s business. The first question is, that motion S4M-15904, in the name of Jim Eadie, on “Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the closure of the Forth Road Bridge”, be agreed to.
Motion agreed to,
That the Parliament notes the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee’s 4th Report 2016 (Session 4), Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the closure of the Forth Road Bridge (SP Paper 950).
The next question is, that motion S4M-15868, in the name of Stewart Stevenson, on “Standing Order Rule Changes—Legislation”, be agreed to.
Motion agreed to,
That the Parliament notes the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 4th Report 2016 (Session 4), Standing Order Rule Changes - Legislation (SP Paper 927), and agrees that the changes to Standing Orders set out in Annexes A and C of the report be made with effect from 22 April 2016.
The next question is, that motion S4M-15867, in the name of Stewart Stevenson, on “Standing Order Rule Changes—Admissibility of Petitions and Minor Rule Changes”, be agreed to.
Motion agreed to,
That the Parliament notes the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 3rd Report 2016 (Session 4), Standing Order Rule Changes - Admissibility of Petitions and Minor Rule Changes (SP Paper 904), and agrees that the changes to Standing Orders set out in Annexe A of the report be made with effect from 22 April 2016.
The next question is, that motion S4M-15911, in the name of Liam McArthur, on the reimbursement of members’ expenses scheme, be agreed to.
Motion agreed to,
That the Parliament, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 81(2) and (5)(b) and 83(5) of the Scotland Act 1998, determines that, with effect from 6 May 2016, the Reimbursement of Members’ Expenses Scheme, which was agreed to by resolution of the Parliament on 12 June 2008 and last amended by resolution of the Parliament on 10 November 2015, be amended as follows:
(a) adding the words “and 2.1.8” after “2.1.6” in paragraph 2.1.1;
(b) substituting the words “, 2.1.6 and 2.1.8” for the words “and 2.1.6” in paragraph 2.1.7;
(c) adding new paragraph 2.1.8 as follows:
“2.1.8 A Presiding Officer whose main residence is in a constituency listed in Group Two of Annex A will be treated as if that residence were in Group Three of Annex A and is entitled to reimbursement of Edinburgh accommodation costs in accordance with paragraphs 2.1.2 to 2.1.7.”;
(d) adding the words “or a Presiding Officer to whom paragraph 2.1.8 applies” after “Annex A” in paragraph 2.3.1; and
(e) adding after the definition of “pool” in paragraph 9.1.1 the words "“Presiding Officer” means the member who is elected as the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament;”.