The next item of business is consideration of business motion S2M-3581, in the name of Margaret Curran, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move decision time today to 5.30 pm. I invite anyone who wishes to oppose the motion to press their request-to-speak button.
Motion moved,
That the Parliament agrees under Rule 11.2.4 of the Standing Orders that Decision Time on Wednesday 16 November 2005 shall begin at 5.30 pm.—[Ms Margaret Curran.]
It appears from my screen that Donald Gorrie has asked to speak, but I am informed that it is a mistake—thank goodness for that.
I was trying to speak.
I beg your pardon—your name came on to the screen and then went off.
There seems to be a lot of interest in the amendments to the Licensing (Scotland) Bill that are in group 5. I wonder whether the Parliament might agree to extend the time for that group by half an hour to enable adequate discussion of what I understand to be various amendments.
It would not be appropriate to do that at this stage, but there is the potential for a motion to be moved at the relevant point in proceedings. The occupant of the chair will be alert to the pressure to speak and, if necessary, the power that you describe might be invoked.
Motion agreed to.
That the Parliament agrees under Rule 11.2.4 of the Standing Orders that Decision Time on Wednesday 16 November 2005 shall begin at 5.30 pm.
The next item of business is consideration of business motion S2M-3580, in the name of Margaret Curran, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a revised programme of business for this afternoon.
Motion moved,
That the Parliament agrees the following revision to the programme of business for Wednesday 16 November 2005—
Wednesday 16 November 2005
delete,
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business – Debate on the subject of S2M-3507 Colin Fox: Scotland's Social Housing Provision
and insert,
5.30 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business – Debate on the subject of S2M-3507 Colin Fox: Scotland's Social Housing Provision.—[Ms Margaret Curran.]
Motion agreed to.
The next item of business is consideration of business motion S2M-3583, in the name of Margaret Curran, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a timetable for stage 3 consideration of the Licensing (Scotland) Bill.
Would this be a more appropriate moment to propose that 30 minutes be added to the time for group 5 amendments?
No. The guidance that I gave earlier was that we must wait until we are at that stage in proceedings. A motion without notice should be put to the occupant of the chair at that point. We would indicate at that stage whether such a proposal was necessary and what time period might be appropriate.
Motion moved,
That the Parliament agrees that, during Stage 3 of the Licensing (Scotland) Bill, debate on groups of amendments shall, subject to Rule 9.8.4A, be brought to a conclusion by the time limits indicated (each time limit being calculated from when the Stage begins and excluding any periods when other business is under consideration or when the meeting of the Parliament is suspended, other than a suspension following the first division in the Stage being called, or otherwise not in progress):
Groups 1 to 4 - 25 minutes
Groups 5 to 8 - 55 minutes
Groups 9 to 11 - 1 hour and 15 minutes
Groups 12 to 15 - 2 hours
Groups 16 to 19 - 2 hours and 25 minutes
Groups 20 to 22 - 2 hours and 40 minutes.—[Ms Margaret Curran.]
Motion agreed to.
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Time for Reflection