Plenary,
Meeting date: Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Official Report
719KB pdf
Point of Order
I have considered the point of order that Mrs MacDonald raised earlier this afternoon. I have made inquiries and I understand that tomorrow's visit to Holyrood was organised over the past month by the builders, Bovis Lend Lease, and the architects, RMJM, and that it was merely facilitated by the Parliament's media office. I am also informed that Building Design magazine did not respond by the closing date of 7 May and that Mr Wilson did not contact the Parliament until shortly before Mrs MacDonald's point of order this afternoon.
I do not believe that Mrs MacDonald has made a point of order, nor do I believe it to be appropriate to name individuals in the way that she has done. The right course of action in future is to approach my private office, where the door is always open to members.
Further to that point of order, Presiding Officer. I draw your attention to the motion on the consultative steering group's key principles, which was moved by Mr Henry McLeish. It stated that
"the spirit of the CSG key principles"
should be incorporated into the understanding and standing orders of this Parliament. The principles are sharing power, accountability, accessibility and equal opportunities.
The person who was asked to report for the leading building magazine in this country is an accredited journalist by any other name, in that he has written serious articles for serious journals. He was denied and censured—
You have made your point—conclude quickly, please.
He was denied and censured by architects employed by this Parliament. Who is the master in this house: the architect or the Parliament?
Sit down, please.
Accredited journalists would usually contact the people who are facilitating tours earlier than 1.30 this afternoon—Mr Wilson had a month so to do. I have given the grounds for my decision and I say to Mrs MacDonald that I believe that such matters are far better handled discreetly through my private office, where matters can be discussed, rather than raised suddenly and obliquely in the chamber.
Further to—
No. You have finished, Mrs MacDonald—you have had your cut.