Plenary, 29 Nov 2001

Meeting date: Thursday, November 29, 2001

Official Report 773KB pdf

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Motion Without Notice

I am minded to accept a motion without notice from Patricia Ferguson on the membership of committees. The terms of the motion are the same as those of motion S1M-2495, which was set out in the Business Bulletin. Is it agreed that a motion without notice be moved?

Members indicated agreement.

Motion moved,

That S1M-2499 be taken at this meeting of Parliament.—[Patricia Ferguson.]

Motion agreed to.

Motion moved,

That the Parliament agrees that the following Members be appointed to Committees—

Tom McCabe and Des McNulty to replace Dr Richard Simpson and Mike Watson on the Finance Committee;

Sarah Boyack to replace Hugh Henry on the European Committee;

Susan Deacon to replace Patricia Ferguson on the Procedures Committee and on the Standards Committee;

Jackie Baillie to replace Cathy Peattie on the Education Committee;

Angus MacKay to replace Andy Kerr on the Transport and the Environment Committee;

Alasdair Morrison to replace Mary Mulligan on the Justice 2 Committee;

Alasdair Morrison and Irene Oldfather to replace Cathy Jamieson and Dr Elaine Murray on the Rural Development Committee; and

Tommy Sheridan to be appointed to the Equal Opportunities Committee.—[Patricia Ferguson.]

I have a request from Michael Russell to speak to the motion.

Political parties have an absolute right to allocate members to committees—I have taken part in that process myself. However, there is one change in the list in the motion that is contrary to the best interests of a committee. I have the permission of the person involved to say what I am going to say, although she may be embarrassed.

I did not vote for Cathy Peattie in this morning's election of the Deputy Presiding Officer, but she has been a distinguished vice-convener of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee and has contributed an enormous amount, particularly in the cultural areas.

I know that the die is cast as far as this motion is concerned, but I point out to Patricia Ferguson that, if a contrary view were expressed by the time that the Education, Culture and Sport Committee meets next week and Cathy Peattie were to be allowed to remain in her position, the other members of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee—for whom I think I can speak on this matter—would be happy. Cathy has contributed greatly to what we do. For instance, she contributed some important information to our Scottish Ballet report, which we published today and in which she played an important part. In saying that, I am saying nothing against Jackie Baillie, whom I would be happy to see in the committee.

I make this statement in the spirit of cross-party co-operation and I hope that it is accepted in that spirit. I will not move against the motion, but I think that my point had to be made.

It is heartwarming to see Mr Russell's concern for a Labour member and I am sure that Cathy Peattie will treat his words with due regard. Obviously, this is an internal matter for the Labour party and is something that we will discuss with Cathy Peattie. It is not a matter for this chamber.