As Presiding Officer, I expect Government announcements on important policy issues to be made to the Parliament in the first instance. I was concerned to discover this morning that the First Minister was making a statement to the media on Scotland’s place in Europe. Members of the media, therefore, had the opportunity to question the First Minister on the document before members of the Parliament did so.
The Parliamentary Bureau considered the matter at its meeting today and has agreed to consider the broader issues of announcements to Parliament in the new year. However, the Minister for Parliamentary Business wishes to update the Parliament on this afternoon’s statement.
Although this is not a change of business, it is appropriate to take this opportunity to inform the chamber that the First Minister will give the statement on Scotland’s place in Europe.
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Motion of Condolence