The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-10709, in the name of Gillian Martin, on a legislative consent motion on the Energy Bill, United Kingdom legislation.

I would be grateful if members who wish to speak in the debate were to press their request-to-speak buttons.

I call Gillian Martin to speak to and move the motion, for up to seven minutes.

The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-10729, in the name of George Adam, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme.

Motion moved,

That the Parliament agrees—

(a) the following programme of business—

Tuesday 24 October 2023

2.00 pm Time for Reflection

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

followed by Topical Questions (if selected)

followed by Ministerial Statement: Planning for Winter 2023-24 and Ongoing Resilience Across Health and Social Care

followed by Scottish Government Debate: Transvaginal Mesh

followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill - UK Legislation

followed by Committee Announcements

followed by Business Motions

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

5.30 pm Decision Time

followed by Members’ Business

Wednesday 25 October 2023

2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions

2.00 pm Portfolio Questions:
Constitution, External Affairs and Culture;
Justice and Home Affairs

followed by Scottish Labour Party Business

followed by Business Motions

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

followed by Approval of SSIs (if required)

5.10 pm Decision Time

followed by Members’ Business

Thursday 26 October 2023

11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions

11.40 am General Questions

12.00 pm First Minister's Questions

followed by Members’ Business

2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions

2.30 pm Portfolio Questions:
Education and Skills

followed by Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee Debate: Public Participation Inquiry

followed by Business Motions

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

5.00 pm Decision Time

Tuesday 31 October 2023

2.00 pm Time for Reflection

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

followed by Topical Questions (if selected)

followed by Scottish Government Business

followed by Committee Announcements

followed by Business Motions

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

5.00 pm Decision Time

followed by Members’ Business

Wednesday 1 November 2023

2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions

2.00 pm Portfolio Questions:
Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy;
Finance and Parliamentary Business

followed by Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Business

followed by Business Motions

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

followed by Approval of SSIs (if required)

5.10 pm Decision Time

followed by Members’ Business

Thursday 2 November 2023

11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions

11.40 am General Questions

12.00 pm First Minister's Questions

followed by Members’ Business

2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions

2.30 pm Portfolio Questions:
Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition

followed by Scottish Government Business

followed by Business Motions

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

5.00 pm Decision Time

(b) that, for the purposes of Portfolio Questions in the week beginning 23 October 2023, in rule 13.7.3, after the word “except” the words “to the extent to which the Presiding Officer considers that the questions are on the same or similar subject matter or” are inserted.—[George Adam]

Motion agreed to.

There are five questions to be put as a result of today’s business.

The first question is, that amendment S6M-10716.2, in the name of Miles Briggs, which seeks to amend motion S6M-10716, in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville, on reversal of the United Kingdom Government’s two-child benefit cap, be agreed to. Are we agreed?

Members: No.

The next item of business is consideration of two Parliamentary Bureau motions. I ask George Adam, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move motions S6M-10732, on committee meeting times, and S6M-10733, on designation of a lead committee.

Motions moved,

That the Parliament agrees that, under Rule 12.3.3B of Standing Orders, the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, the Criminal Justice Committee and the Social Justice and Social Security Committee can meet jointly, if necessary, at the same time as a meeting of the Parliament between 1.00 pm and 2.15 pm on 2 November 2023.

That the Parliament agrees that the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee be designated as the lead committee in consideration of the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill at stage 1.—[George Adam]

The next question is, that amendment S6M-10716.1, in the name of Paul O’Kane, which seeks to amend motion S6M-10716, in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville, on reversal of the UK Government’s two-child benefit cap, be agreed to. Are we agreed?

Members: No.

There will be a division.

The vote is closed.

I am minded to accept a motion without notice, under rule 11.2.4 of standing orders, that decision time be brought forward to now. I invite the Minister for Parliamentary Business to move such a motion.

Motion moved,

That, under Rule 11.2.4, Decision Time be brought forward to 5:22 pm.—[George Adam]

Motion agreed to.

There will be a division.

The vote is closed.

That concludes decision time.

The next question is, that motion S6M-10716, in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville, on reversal of the UK Government’s two-child benefit cap, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed?

Members: No.