Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Official Report 939KB pdf

Decision Time

The first question is, that motion S5M-21263, in the name of John Swinney, on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development review of curriculum for excellence, be agreed to.

Motion agreed to,

That the Parliament confirms its support for the establishment of an independently-led review of curriculum for excellence; notes the publication of the remit for the OECD-led review; further notes that the remit covers curriculum design, the depth and breadth of learning in the Senior Phase, local flexibility versus increased prescription, the transition from the Broad General Education into the Senior Phase, vocational and academic learning and awards, and roles and responsibilities in relation to the curriculum; recognises that this remit has been informed by the work of the Education and Skills Committee, including its report, Subject choices in schools; agrees that this review must form part of a wider drive to tackle key weaknesses in aspects of Scotland’s school education and the qualifications structure, and further agrees that benefits that can be derived from all participants in the education system working together as part of a shared national endeavour to ensure Scotland’s curriculum helps support Scotland’s young people achieving the best possible outcomes.

The next question is, that motion S5M-21260, in the name of Humza Yousaf, on the Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Bill (UK Legislation), be agreed to.

Motion agreed to,

That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Sentencing (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Bill, introduced in the House of Lords on 21 January 2020, relating to the transfer of community orders and suspended sentence orders imposed by courts in England and Wales to Scotland, so far as these matters fall within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament, should be considered by the UK Parliament.

As no member objects, I propose to ask a single question on the four Parliamentary Bureau motions.

Motions agreed to,

That the Parliament agrees that Rules 5.6(a), (b) and (c) of the Standing Orders be suspended for the duration of the public response to the Novel coronavirus COVID-19.

That the Parliament agrees that, for the purposes of electing an additional deputy Presiding Officer for the duration of the public response to the Novel coronavirus COVID-19, Rules 11.9.4, 11.9.5, 11.9.13 and 11.9.16 of the Standing Orders be suspended.

That the Parliament agrees that, for the purposes of committee meetings for the duration of the public response to the Novel coronavirus COVID-19—

(a) in Rule 6.3A.1 after “member” the words “or members” be inserted

(b) Rule 6.3A.2 be suspended

(c) in Rule 6.3A.4 the first sentence be suspended

(d) after Rule 6.3A.5(d) be inserted “(e) a political party withdraws in writing to the Bureau that nomination of the member or members nominated for the purposes of the duration of the public response to the Novel coronavirus COVID-19.”

(e) in Rule 12.1.15 the words “(other than a committee substitute)” be omitted in both instances where they occur.

That the Parliament agrees that Rule 15.2.1 of the Standing Orders be suspended for the duration of the public response to the Novel coronavirus COVID-19.

That concludes decision time.