Education Committee
The Committee continued its evidence taking on the Joint Inspection of the Children’s Services and Inspection of Social Work Services (Scotland) Bill and should be finalising its report at its next meeting.  It also continued its consideration of the regulations relating to the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004.

Enterprise & Culture Committee
Members took evidence from the Enterprise Minister for the business growth inquiry.  In their questioning, they raised a variety of issues including the prioritisation of transport and other infrastructure and the role of Scottish Enterprise in this process. The Committee also sought assurances that peripheral areas and areas of greatest need are not left out in the development of city regions and high growth businesses.

The rest of the meeting concentrated on arrangements for the Business in Parliament Conference 2006, the football inquiry and consideration of candidates to be the advisor on the Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Bill.

European and External Relations Committee
The European Commission gave evidence on its work programme for 2006 and it was agreed that Committee should look at securing some time in the Chamber to debate the issue.

The Committee also heard from the Elizabeth Holt of the European Commission in Scotland on the intricate "Plan D" (for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate) and, as a result, the Committee agreed that they would aim to produce a paper to examine how it should reach its target audiences and consider drafting a questionnaire to collate comments.

The Committee also agreed the remit for Jim Wallace's (LD) inquiry into better regulation which will look at European Legislation in other member states and examine how, and if, it is being followed.

A large part of the meeting concerned the Committee’s consideration of the Budget Process 2006-07.  Kathleen Marshall, Commissioner for Children and Young People and her officials presented evidence on the Commissioner’s budget.  The Commissioner is seeking a total budget of £1,382,400 on 2006-07, although the SPCB has suggested reducing it to £1,278,400.

The Committee had previously raised concerns over the increasing budgets for the various Commissioners and the Ombudsman and believes that budgets cannot continue to increase without evidence that more efficient ways of working are being sought.  However, the Commissioner took the approach that she is independent of the Parliament and therefore the SPCB is duty bound to provide whatever funds are required to enable her to fulfill her statutory duties.  Committee Convener Des McNulty said, "It is not up to you to decide what your budget is.  Ultimately it is for parliament to decide that.  In that context, there is to me a worrying tone ... that, in a sense, you decide what the parameters are, rather than parliament."

The Committee agreed its report on the Financial Memorandum of the Abolition of NHS Prescription Charges (Scotland) Bill.  The Financial Memorandum estimates that the total cost to the Scottish administration to fund free prescriptions will be £45.4 million.  However the Committee was not convinced that the figures contained in the Financial Memorandum present the complete picture and the Member in Charge of the Bill, Colin Fox (SSP), was unable to present additional information to persuade the Committee otherwise.  In particular, the Committee was unconvinced about the claim that more people receiving free prescriptions would lead to fewer hospitals stays, resulting in savings which could entirely offset the costs of this Bill.  Given this, the Committee was concerned that the costs of the Bill will result in a sizeable shortfall in the NHS Budget and that it remains unclear as to how this shortfall will be addressed.

Marlyn Glen (LAB) tabled an amendment on the issue of lesbian couples who wish to have children with the aid of artificial insemination.  Where a child is conceived in this way, the law states that the child only has one parent.  Ms Glen's amendment called for a change in the law to allow shared or equal parental responsibility.  Deputy Justice Minister, Hugh Henry, rejected this argument on the grounds that any change to the legislation would need to be made at Westminster under regulations covering the Human Fertility and Embryology Bill.  Ms Glen's amendment fell by 4 votes to 3.

Justice 2 Committee
More evidence on the Police, Public order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill last week, with contributions from a number of organisations including: the Scottish Human Rights Centre; Strathclyde Police; and Victim Support Scotland.  Evidence centred on issues such as knife crime and the consideration of local byelaws.

Subordinate Legislation Committee
Last week's meeting considered the delegated powers in the Housing (Scotland) Bill. During its Stage 2 passage through the Parliament, the Executive made a number of changes to those powers.  These changes altered the procedure to which Regulations and Orders under the Bill were to be subject from negative resolution to affirmative resolution.  These changes were recommended by the Subordinate Legislation Committee or the Communities Committee.  The Communities Committee in its Stage 1 report recommended that Regulations on information on the sale of a house should be subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.  This is necessary so that the regulations establishing the new scheme would be subject to thorough parliamentary scrutiny.  The Executive agreed with the recommendations of both Committees. 

The Committee went on to consider the Education (Graduate Endowment, Student Fee and Support) (Scotland) Amendment (No2) Regulations 2005.  The Committee asked the Executive what plans there are for consolidation of the Regulations amended by this Instrument.  The Executive explained that it is its intention to consolidate the Regulations in question before the beginning of the academic year 2006/2007.