Plenary, 15 Dec 2004

Meeting date: Wednesday, December 15, 2004

Official Report 459KB pdf

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Point of Order

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. An hour ago, the SNP group leader was handed a document entitled "Fair to All, Personal to Each: The next steps for NHSScotland". On inquiring at the Scottish Parliament information centre, I was informed that the document is embargoed until after the minister sits down at the end of his speech in the debate that follows. The document is therefore not available to members or to inform the debate.

Presiding Officer, you will be aware that at yesterday's meeting of the Parliamentary Bureau I raised concerns about the late delivery of material for debates and that the Minister for Parliamentary Business agreed to consider the matter. However, this is not the late delivery of material, but the deliberate withholding of material by the Executive. That is unacceptable and undemocratic.

I recognise that the Presiding Officers are not responsible for the distribution of material for debates, but will you join me in expressing your anger on behalf of the Parliament at the Executive's behaviour today?

I have a deal of sympathy with what the member says. It is a matter of good practice that all material relevant to debates in this Parliament should be made available to members in sufficient time for the debate. However, the issue of such material is not a matter for me and I can only hope that the Executive will take cognisance of what has been said. Minister, would you like to say a few words?

I understand that the document is available now in the Scottish Parliament information centre and not only when I sit down. [Interruption.] Tricia Marwick raised a point—perhaps I could respond to it. My understanding of this situation is that I was going further than has been the practice previously because there is no absolute obligation on the Executive to issue any such documents. However, I issued copies of the document to leaders of the parties more than an hour ago.