Our next item of business—
On a point of order. Would it be in order to have a majority vote of members of the chamber to instruct the corporate body to make available to all members, at the same time, the Spencely report, on its publication?
The answer is that it would not be in order.
On a point of order.
Another point of order?
It is really a point of clarification. [Laughter.] Earlier, I had a question ruled out of order when I attempted to establish the Executive's priority with respect to day care for the elderly and for children. Given that I wanted a priority comparison—it was a fair point—I feel slightly aggrieved.
I am sorry if you feel aggrieved at being ruled out of order—I am sure that it is not a new experience for members. However, you were asking about day care facilities for the elderly, whereas question 9 in the business bulletin was, quite explicitly, about day care facilities such as crèches and playgroups. That is why I would not take the question.
On a point of order.
Another point of order? An embarrassment of riches today.
I am sorry to annoy you at this time in the afternoon with another point of order. Further to the point of order that Margo MacDonald just raised, would you be prepared to entertain a motion without notice to the effect that the chamber should instruct the corporate body to publish the Spencely report when it receives it? If not, why not?
I would not. Normally, I would not give reasons. The report has been commissioned by the corporate body, which will receive it on Monday afternoon. The corporate body will meet on Tuesday morning to consider the report and will, I am sure, take note of the request. However, the decision that has been made so far is to publish that report with our report. We may reconsider that, but you cannot expect the chamber to have a mini-debate on an issue that is already under consideration. This will be considered at the earliest moment by the corporate body; we have noted the request.
In that case, presumably it would be in order for members to raise points of order on the matter on Wednesday, if they have not received the report by then.
It is always in order to raise points of order, Mr Russell.
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First Minister's Question Time