IOG: Parliament News, issue 8/may 2001

Scottish Affairs web site

Events

On 8 May, Prime Minister Tony Blair announced that the General Election would take place on 7 June. This will be the first General Election since devolution and parliamentary business at Holyrood will continue throughout the election period. Wendy Alexander, Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning is liaising with Helen Liddell, Secretary of State for Scotland, in running Labour's Scottish election campaign.

Three of the five party leaders are giving up their Westminster seats: Henry McLeish (Labour), Jim Wallace (Liberal Democrats) and John Swinney (SNP). David McLetchie, the Scottish Tory leader and Tommy Sheridan, the Scottish Socialists leader do not hold Westminster seats.

On 28 May the First Minister, Henry McLeish, signed a political declaration in Brussels with counterparts in other European countries with devolved governments (Bavaria, Catalonia, North-Rhine Westphalia, Salzburg, Wallonia and Flanders). The declaration included the following five key viewpoints:

participation directly in the preparatory work for the Inter-governmental Conference of 2004;
a broader discussion than the themes listed by the last IGC in Nice and role of the regions to be developed further;
the principle of subsidiarity - a debate needed because of current failures on the regional and national levels;
the European Union's missions to be redefined in keeping with the principle of subsidiarity, redefined by a clearer allocation of powers between member states and their regions;
stronger regions as a buttress to growing EU power.

Two MSPs Alex Salmond, SNP (Banff and Buchan) and Phil Gallie, Conservative (Ayr) are standing for the Westminster election on 7 June.

By-elections are also to be held on 7 June in the constituencies of Banff and Buchan (Alex Salmond's seat) and Strathkelvin and Bearsden (Sam Galbraith's seat).

Bills

The Scottish Local Authorities (Tendering) Bill: Stage 1 was passed by Parliament on 17 May.

The Convention Rights (Compliance) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 was passed by Parliament on 30 May.

The Regulation of Care (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 was passed by Parliament on 31 May.

Committee Reports

On 8 May the Justice 2 Committee announced an inquiry into the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. The inquiry will investigate whether resources available to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service are sufficient to meet its stated aim of thorough investigation, preparation and presentation of cases, while having sensitivity to the needs of victims and witnesses.

On 10 May the Northern Ireland Assembly's Education Committee held an official meeting at the Scottish Parliament. It was the first time a parliamentary committee from outwith Scotland convened in the Scottish Parliament.

On 17 May the European Committee published a report on reform of EU's Common Fisheries Policy stating that it is failing to preserve fish stocks and protect the fishing industry and that a radical overhaul is required. The report sets out recommendations including a new decision making process that will directly involve fishermen, scientists and conservationists.

Research opportunities

The Scottish Parliament has a budget for commissioning research for Parliamentary committees and holds a database for researchers interested in tendering for committee research. Anyone wishing to be included in the database should complete the on-line form on the Parliament website at

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/whats_happening/news-00/pa00-039.htm

Publications

Scottish Executive publications can be accessed on the Scottish Executive website at www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/recent.asp

Some of those published in the last month include:

Elections to the UK Parliament - Guidance on conduct for Scottish Executive civil servants: stating that civil servants should not undertake any activity which could call into question their political impartiality and that they should ensure that public resources are not used for party political purposes. 8.5.01.

Rebuilding our National Health Service: Guidance to NHS Chairs and Chief Executives for Implementing Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change. 9.5.01

A Strategic Framework for the Scottish Sea Fisheries Industry: document focusing on how the Executive can promote a sustainable fishing industry. 11.5.01

New Deal for Young People in Scotland: Phase 1: paper reporting on the main findings of the first phase of a representative survey. 21.5.01

Sustainability Indicators for Waste, Energy and Travel for Scotland: report considering the ways in which indicators could be used to help measure and manage some important aspects of sustainable development. 23.5.01

2001 Examinations Hotline: a recording line for registering any concerns about this summer's examinations. 29.5.01

Links to other issues of Parliament News

Contact

Should you have any comments or enquiries please do not hesitate to contact Margaret MacPherson at the Institute of Governance.

Institute of Governance > Parliament News, issue 8 / may 2001	Enter keyword(s) to search the site