Business Motions
The next item of business is consideration of business motion S2M-5515, in the name of Margaret Curran, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme.
Motion moved,
That the Parliament agrees the following programme of business—
Wednesday 7 February 2007
2.30 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Executive Debate: Promotion of Tartan and Scotland's Tartan Industry
followed by Debate on the Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2007
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Thursday 8 February 2007
9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish National Party Business
11.40 am General Question Time
12 noon First Minister's Question Time
2.15 pm Themed Question Time—
Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning;
Justice and Law Officers
2.55 pm Stage 3 Debate: Transport and Works (Scotland) Bill
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Wednesday 14 February 2007
2.30 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Stage 3 Debate: Budget (Scotland) (No.4) Bill
followed by Executive Business
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Thursday 15 February 2007
9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Executive Business
11.40 am General Question Time
12 noon First Minister's Question Time
2.15 pm Themed Question Time—
Education, Tourism, Culture and Sport;
Finance and Public Services and Communities
2.55 pm Stage 3 Debate: Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Bill
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business—[Ms Margaret Curran.]
Motion agreed to.
The next item of business is consideration of business motions S2M-5514 and S2M-5516, in the name of Margaret Curran, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on timetabling of legislation.
Motions moved,
That the Parliament agrees that consideration of the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Bill at Stage 2 be completed by 23 February 2007.
That the Parliament agrees that consideration of the Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Bill at Stage 2 be completed by 16 February 2007.—[Ms Margaret Curran.]
I shall speak against the business motions as I wish to challenge what has become the automatic timetabling practice of this Parliament for stage 2 proceedings.
Standing orders make it clear that the Parliament may timetable any bill, but they do not say that it must timetable a bill. I understand and accept the case for establishing a timetable for stage 1, subject to there being sufficient flexibility if more time is required, so that committees and stakeholders have a clear indication of how long they have to consider the general principles of a bill, but I do not see that that applies at stage 2.
I also accept that there is a need to timetable stage 3 proceedings to allow proper management of that process, but at stage 2 a bill and all its provisions can be fully and properly scrutinised and there should be as much time as is needed to consider stage 2 amendments.
I do not think that there is evidence that any committees are deliberately delaying the progress of bills at stage 2. Committee clerks and the Executive generally discuss the matter and agree how many meetings are likely to be needed to deal with stage 2 amendments. I believe that that is what informs the timetabling motions that come before the Parliament. In those circumstances, I cannot see why a timetabling motion for stage 2 is needed.
I accept that there has to be a backstop position to allow a timetable to be imposed if a committee or some members of it are deliberately obstructing the progress of a bill at stage 2, but a timetabling motion should not be used in each and every case. I ask the minister and the bureau to reconsider the practice of timetabling all stage 2s and seek an assurance that timetabling will not be used to restrict the proper scrutiny of amendments to bills at stage 2 during the current session, in the rush to complete the legislative programme before this session of Parliament comes to a conclusion.
I thank Iain Smith for giving prior warning that he would raise this point, although if I had had a wee bit longer, we might have had more time to consider it.
I do not dismiss the issue: I am well aware of the concern across the Parliament about parliamentary time, particularly the concern that members on committees should be given sufficient time to discharge their duties. I will of course consider the issue, but I ask members not to vote against the business motion.
Members will appreciate that I have a difficult job trying to ensure that we get through our business. I am sure that I would be criticised for not managing the available time properly if we did not get through our business. Many factors must be balanced.
I reassure members that timetables are considered and recommended to the bureau in consultation with committees, committee conveners and bill teams to ensure that we maximise opportunities for members to discharge their duties. Such an approach is required to ensure that we get through bill timetables. We do not restrict the proper scrutiny of bills.
I appreciate the points that Iain Smith has made, but if a committee convener tells me that they need more time for stage 2 consideration of a bill, we will go to inordinate lengths—within reason—to ensure that we make that time available. I hope that I have addressed the points that have been made.
The Presiding Officer and all the business managers know that I have set up a group to consider the many issues that members have raised and to ensure that those issues have been addressed for the next session. I do not know what I can do for this session, but I will do my best to address any points that have been raised.
The question is, that motions S2M-5514 and S2M-5516, in the name of Margaret Curran, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, be agreed to.
Motions agreed to.