Future Business
The final item on the agenda is future business. I do not want us to have a detailed discussion as we have dealt with some items of future business already today.
The forward programme, which was circulated to all committee members, comes with the qualification that, as with everything that the committee does at the moment, it is provisional. Our meetings on 16 and 22 February will deal with non-bill items. We have already agreed a further item—domestic violence—for 22 February.
At my instigation, freedom of information is on the agenda. While I have no expectation that we will be able to deal with that in a detailed fashion, the consultation process on the freedom of information white paper closes on 15 March. At the very least, it would be appropriate for the committee to have an input to that process in some way, shape or form, even if we submit only an agreed letter from me to the Executive. That is why freedom of information is on the agendas for both Wednesday 16 February and Monday 6 March. I hope that members are happy with that—I thought that it would be wrong to allow the consultation process to conclude without the committee considering that matter.
We must also come back to the Abolition of Poindings and Warrant Sales Bill, which is on the agenda. Members will greet with great enthusiasm the fact that we must also deal with some statutory instruments. We may revise the agendas before those meetings take place.
We will return to the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Bill on 29 February and 1 March, and we hope to complete part 5 during those two meetings. If that does not happen, the agendas—and time scales—for later meetings will change, although it is unlikely that we will discuss amendments to the bill on 6 March, when we will be in Stirling. We consider that it would be inappropriate to drag ministerial teams and so on to Stirling, and other members might want to attend, particularly for part 5 of the bill. Therefore, we will stick to the current proposal for 6 March.
Is the meeting on Monday 6 March in Stirling our only meeting that week, or is it additional?
It is our only meeting that week.
Is that the meeting that was planned for Glasgow?
Yes. Glasgow was not available as another committee was using the venue, so we agreed to go to Stirling.
What is the venue in Stirling?
I have not inquired in detail, but I assume that it will be at the council.
Assuming that we have finished with adults with incapacity, we will move on to stage 2 of the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc (Scotland) Bill, starting on 14 March. Members are now familiar with the stage 2 process; if we start on 14 March, we will have more than enough time to complete that work by the Easter recess. Again, we have slotted in twice-weekly meetings, but I do not think that we will need to use them, other than perhaps once. If our progress on adults with incapacity is anything to go by, I would guess that we will not require both slots each week, but members should have those slots as filled space in their diaries.
The Parliament has agreed business motions that require us to complete stage 2 consideration of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Bill by 1 March. If that date needs to be amended, it will be. The date for the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc (Scotland) Bill is 6 April. We do not think that there will be a problem with that.
The forward programme that is before members today is aimed at meeting the targets. It takes into account the fact that we have a slight hiatus in relation to part 5 of adults with incapacity. It also takes into account our starting stage 2 of the feudal tenure bill sufficiently early to offer the prospect of completing that bill by the target date without meeting twice a week.
I did not want to go into the details of future business today; I am merely giving members the opportunity to ask specific questions relating to the forward programme.
Out of curiosity, are other bills coming, or will we get a break?
As I understand it—although this is all very provisional—the land reform bill has been delayed and will not now be introduced until after the Easter recess. We will not deal with stage 1 of land reform until after the recess.
The complicating factor is the requirement to process an intrusive investigations bill; that has to be done contemporaneously with the bill that is going through the UK Parliament. That might cause us difficulties, but if we are in the midst of stage 2 of abolition of feudal tenure when the intrusive investigations bill has to be introduced, the Executive has indicated that it is prepared to use Executive time to help move that bill along. Quite what that would mean in practice, I do not know, but we can assume that some consideration will be given to the effect on our business.
The answer to Gordon's question is that another bill that is destined for the committee will be introduced before the Easter recess. Obviously, I will have to negotiate on how we handle that bill, but the Executive has indicated that it is prepared to come and go.
Is the land reform bill definitely coming to us?
As far as I am aware, yes. I have heard nothing to the contrary and it would be remarkable for that to change now.
Members ought also to be aware that I have been keeping an eye on petitions. Other petitions have been lodged that are undoubtedly destined for us, including one on the availability of legal aid for fatal accident inquiries. More statutory instruments might also come our way. All those items might have to be added to the programme. I know for certain that we will receive more petitions—I have seen them in the business bulletin.
Are there any further questions?
Members indicated disagreement.
In that case, I close the meeting. I will see members next Wednesday.
Meeting closed at 12:24.