Plenary, 27 Sep 2007

Meeting date: Thursday, September 27, 2007

Official Report 768KB pdf

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Points of Order

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I refer to the Parliament's decision a few moments ago on motion S3M-545, on waiting times. Members will recall that it was agreed that the Parliament

"calls on the Scottish Government to make an early statement on how it intends to implement its maximum waiting time guarantee"

and to clarify certain further information that is specified in the motion. Would it be appropriate to lay aside time for a ministerial statement to be made on those matters in early course and would the Government party's business manager be prepared to consider that?

I hear what Mr Brown says, but that is a matter for the Government in the first order and for the Parliamentary Bureau in the second.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I do not want to delay us any longer than necessary, but some of us who are no longer represented on the Parliamentary Bureau are beginning to forget what it was for. Would you remind the Parliament?

That is not a point of order, but I find it helpful.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I refer to the same motion as Robert Brown. Is it not the case that, under standing orders, a majority vote determines the matter that is under debate?

With the greatest respect to Ms MacDonald, I would like to reflect on that issue. I apologise for not coming back with an immediate answer, but the answer needs to be got right. I will reflect on the point and come back to the Parliament next week.