Plenary, 22 Nov 2007
Meeting date: Thursday, November 22, 2007
Official Report
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Points of Order
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. First, I welcome your announcement in today's business bulletin setting out clearly the way in which alleged misconduct in the chamber will be dealt with in terms of the standing orders, the "Code of Conduct for Members of the Scottish Parliament" and the "Scottish Ministerial Code". That clarity is welcome.
Secondly, I am aware that the Scottish Government is conducting an internal review of the "Scottish Ministerial Code". I invite the First Minister to follow the example of Prime Minister Gordon Brown by establishing, as part of that review, the post of an independent adviser who can investigate alleged breaches of the ministerial code of conduct. That would provide the openness and transparency that are the hallmark of this Parliament and which should equally be the hallmark of the Scottish Government, as I am sure the First Minister would agree.
I note, Presiding Officer, that I am not alone in holding that view. In a comment to The Scotsman on 21 September, Patrick Harvie called for changes to the ministerial code of conduct and suggested that part of the solution is for an independent body, rather than the First Minister, to control the ministerial code.
Come to your point of order please, Ms Baillie.
I realise that the "Scottish Ministerial Code" is not a matter for you, Presiding Officer. I hope, however, that the First Minister will take this opportunity to set a gold standard for the ministerial code of conduct. It would be unthinkable for him to agree to a lesser standard of accountability for his ministers in Scotland than exists in the United Kingdom Parliament. Through you, Presiding Officer, I therefore urge the First Minister to seize the opportunity to put in place independent oversight of the Scottish ministerial code of conduct.
As the member is aware, and as I have made plain before, the ministerial code is not a matter for me. However, I am sure that Jackie Baillie will wish to put her suggestion in writing to the First Minister.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I seek guidance on the announcement that you made today in relation to the "Scottish Ministerial Code", and particularly in relation to paragraph 1.1(c), which states that ministers should correct
"any inadvertent error at the earliest opportunity."
At question time today, the First Minister advised Parliament that university funding was increasing in real terms "throughout the spending review" period, when the reality is that there will be a real-terms revenue cut for universities next year.
I am sure that no one in the chamber needs reminding of the definition of "throughout", but, for the avoidance of doubt, the "Oxford English Dictionary" defines it thus:
"Through or during the whole of (a period of time or course of action)",
and the "Collins English Dictionary" defines it as "through the whole of".
Scottish Executive officials confirmed to the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee yesterday that there will be a real-terms cut for universities next year, and that there will therefore not be an increase "throughout the spending review" period. Given that it is a matter involving the First Minister himself, would it be appropriate respectfully to ask him, on behalf of Parliament, to take an early opportunity to clarify his comments to Parliament in line with your ruling, Presiding Officer?
I realise that the Business Bulletin was delivered late this morning, so Mr Baker may not have had a chance to read it. I refer him to the announcement that I made in today's bulletin on that very matter.