The next item of business is consideration of motion S6M-21052, also in the name of Martin Whitfield, on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s fourth report of 2026.
19:00
There is a phrase about a bad penny, but I will try to recall that later on.
Our fourth report of 2026 sets out the committee’s proposals for standing order rule changes relating to the Parliament’s gender-sensitive audit recommendations for Parliamentary Bureau membership, elections of the Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officers and membership of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. In making these proposals for standing order rule changes, we are keen to ensure that progress is made towards a gender-sensitive Parliament in which equality truly exists between men and women in relation not only to representation but to participation in the Parliament.
The committee’s role has been to consider the audit recommendations within the context of potential rule changes and how they would operate on practical levels, as well as whether there are any potential unforeseen circumstances.
The first rule change relates to the Parliamentary Bureau membership. We recommend strengthening the wording in standing orders to increase the prospect of gender balance on the bureau from the start of a session and when nominating a new member if a current member ceases to hold office.
The second change relates to the election of Presiding Officers and Deputy Presiding Officers. We recommend that the rules be changed so that those who are elected cannot all be of the same gender. That change formalises an existing Scottish parliamentary norm and we consider that that will protect and embed that norm for the future.
The third change relates to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. We gave serious consideration to the proposals for introducing an acting SPCB member but, as we detail more fully in our report, we understand that that is likely to require a change to the Scotland Act 1998. Therefore, we decided that we did not wish to pursue that recommendation at present. However, we have recommended changes to the wording of standing orders to strengthen gender balance as an issue for consideration at the nomination stage for corporate body membership.
As the only man on a corporate body dominated by women, I ask Mr Whitfield whether he is confirming that no man would find himself in such a happy position in a future Parliament.
I am grateful for the member’s careful wording as to how he feels that his time on the corporate body has gone. He is correct, because the recommendations strengthen the requirement for gender balance to be considered at the nomination stage. That is important.
We believe that making those changes will enhance the consideration of, and the process for, appointment or election to those four key roles within the Parliament and make an important contribution to delivering a truly gender-sensitive Parliament.
I move,
That the Parliament notes the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 4th Report, 2026 (Session 6), Standing Order Rule changes - Related to Gender Sensitive Audit recommendations on Parliamentary Bureau Membership, Election of Presiding Officer/Deputy Presiding Officers and SPCB Membership (SP Paper 978), and agrees that the changes to Standing Orders set out in Annex A of the report be made with effect from 11 May 2026.
The question on the motion will also be put at decision time.