Audit Committee
Members considered the Scottish Prison Service's response to its 2004/05 audit and the Scottish Executive's response to the Committee's report on bowel cancer services.  No further action is to be taken on either of these issues.  The meeting also heard from the Executive's Permanent Secretary and colleagues for the inquiry into the Auditor General for Scotland's reports entitled Scottish Executive: supporting new initiatives and Leadership Development.

Communities Committee
Evidence on the Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill continued last week, with contributions from Environmental Link, the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit (SEIRU) and a representative from the Office of the Solicitor to the Scottish Executive.

The Committee also considered a petition raised by Environmental Link on public involvement and third party right of appeal.  The concerns raised specifically related to planning laws currently in place and did not take into consideration any changes which may be included in the new legislation.  The Committee will consider this issue during its evidence sessions on the planning Bill.

Enterprise & Culture Committee
Evidence the Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Bill continues.  Last week, the Committee heard from insolvency lawyers, the Law Society and the Committee of Scottish Clearing Banks.  While there has been a vast amount of evidence to date, only one part of the Bill has been covered so far.  Following this evidence session, the Committee considered its approach to the Bill at Stage 1 and the issues emerging from the evidence already received.  The Committee is particularly keen to test how beneficial the Bill will be to entrepreneurs in its current form.  It also remains concerned about the easy availability of consumer credit to those who are experiencing difficulties in managing their finances.

Environment and Rural Development Committee
After dealing with petitions on the Scottish Agricultural College; the spreading of sewage sludge on agricultural land; and control over the Scottish fishing industry, the Committee heard from the Environment Minister and Deputy Enterprise Minister for the food chain supply inquiry.

Equal Opportunities Committee
The Committee continued taking evidence on its disability inquiry, last week from organisations interested in access to education for disabled people.  The main issues raised surrounded support for disabled people (which includes all aspects of support: physical, educational or care).  The inquiry continues.

Finance Committee
The Committee took evidence on the Financial Memorandum for the Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Bill from Scottish Executive officials.  Particular concerns related to the methodology used in the Financial Memorandum and information on the alternative options considered in relation to the setting up of a new Non-Departmental Public Body.

The Committee also considered the Scottish Executive’s response to its report on Stage 2 of the Budget Process 2006-07 and agreed to write to the Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform to clarify points raised by Members.

Following consideration of submissions to its deprivation inquiry, the Committee agreed to consider a draft report by the end of February.

Health Committee
Last week's meeting featured a roundtable discussion with various interested parties on the inquiry into free personal care for the elderly. Various issues were raised, including extending the scheme to those under 65 with certain illnesses.  Professor David Bell of Stirling University fed in some interesting information in support of the existing scheme, highlighting that flaws existed, but that evidence suggests they are by no means widespread.  

Justice 1 Committee
The Committee again considered its draft Stage 1 report on the Scottish Commissioner for Human Rights Bill.  Members agreed to continue consideration of the report at its next meeting.  Members also agreed their preferred candidate to be their adviser on the forthcoming Criminal Proceedings etc. (Reform) (Scotland) Bill.

Local Government and Transport Committee
Stage 1 evidence on the Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Bill continued.  Last week, the panels of witnesses included the Electoral Commissioner, UNISON Scotland, the Association of Registrars of Scotland and the Scottish Association of Family History Societies.  The evidence being taken continues to go over the same concerns surrounding the increase in staff workload.

Procedures Committee
The Committee took more evidence for its review of parliamentary time from a selection of MSPs.  There were some concerns raised about the time given to Stage 3 proceedings, the general feeling being that not enough time was allowed for proper debate, and the amount of time between Stage 1 and 2.

The Committee also took evidence from John Scott (CON) on behalf of the SPCB on the issue of the Crown reappointments process.  Concerns were raised over the use of independent advisors and the Committee and the SPCB could not agree on this matter.  The Committee agreed it was not in a position to finalise its report on the issue at this stage.

Public Petitions Committee
Two interesting petitions last week.  The first was asking for a review of the policy on skin cancer - concentrating on prevention; public education; and legislating on sun-beds.  Members agreed to write to various health organisations and the Scottish Executive on the issue.

The second petition was asking the Executive to consider adopting a something called a "Play Strategy" which, apparently, recognises the rights of all children to a safe, accessible and challenging play environment.  The petitioners specifically raised concerns about the availability of lottery funding for such strategies.  They believe that such funding is rarely spent on this type of work, despite the Big Lottery Fund making it a priority.  Members agreed to write to the Big Lottery Fund and the Scottish Executive on the issue.

Subordinate Legislation Committee
The Committee considered the delegated powers in the Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Bill, discussing a legal brief concerning the aspects of the Bill which relate to setting performance standards; access to election documents; the code of practice on attendance of observers at elections; and the meaning of election expenses.  In general terms, the legal advisors were content with the responses received from the Executive on these matters and the Committee was generally content with the powers in the Bill.

Other Committee Homepages:

Education Committee
European and External Relations Committee
Justice 2 Committee
Standards Committee