Thursday, 22 January 2004
Scottish Parliament Thursday 22 January 2004 [THE PRESIDING OFFICER opened the meeting at 09:30]
Good morning. The first item of business is a debate on motion S2M-803, in the name of Fiona Hyslop, on the impact of top-up fees on higher education in Scotland, and two amendments to that motion.
The next item of business is a debate on motion S2M-798, in the name of Richard Lochhead, on the fisheries council in December 2003, and two amendments to that motion.
To ask the First Minister when he next plans to meet the Prime Minister and what issues he intends to raise. (S2F-544)
To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Scottish Executive's Cabinet. (S2F-549)
To ask the First Minister what issues the Scottish Executive's Cabinet will prioritise for discussion and action over the next month. (S2F-558)
To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Executive has had with the Home Secretary regarding the possibility of a Scottish visa to encourage overseas students to stay in Scotland...
To ask the First Minister what impact Her Majesty's Government's proposed changes to the regulation of the rail industry will have on rail services in Scotland. (S2F-546)
To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Executive will support a system of organ donation that requires individuals to opt out. (S2F-561)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will write off all outstanding poll tax debts in line with practice in England. (S2O-1141)
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the reported proposals in England and Wales to fine parents who take their children on holiday during term time. (S2O-1137)
To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of introducing a minimum 80 per cent relief from business rates for community amateur sports clubs. (S2O-1111)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Burns night will be used to promote Scotland abroad. (S2O-1120)
To ask the Scottish Executive how, and to what extent, it monitors the actions of registered social landlords, in particular those who have received former council housing under stock transfer....
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been an up-to-date estimate of the cost of the dispersal of jobs of Scottish Natural Heritage to Inverness and whether value-for-money...
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Natural Heritage has conducted an analysis concerning the impact of damage caused by deer on biodiversity and, if not, what plans it has to...
To ask the Scottish Executive why it has not set up an inquiry into local government finance. (S2O-1142)
To ask the Scottish Executive what concerns it has regarding delay in the publication of the social work services inspectorate's report into the Miss X case in light of the Deputy Minister for...
To ask the Scottish Executive whether national health service boards operate adequate minimum staffing levels in maternity services that take account of annual leave, sickness, training and...
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people will benefit from the planned hepatitis C ex gratia payment scheme. (S2O-1123)
To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education's follow-up inspection report on Inverclyde Council. (S2O-1102)
The next item of business is a debate on motion S2M-806, in the name of Peter Peacock, on the comprehensive programme of education reforms. There are two amendments to the motion.
There are nine questions to be put as a result of today's business. I give the usual warning about pre-emptions. If the amendment in the name of Jim Wallace from the top-up fees debate is agreed...
The final item of business is a members' business debate on motion S2M-792, in the name of John Swinburne, on recognition of kinship care. The debate will be concluded without any question being...
The Scottish Parliament is the national legislature of Scotland, located in Edinburgh. The Parliament consists of 129 members known as MSPs, elected for four-year terms; 73 represent individual geographical constituencies, and 56 are regional representatives.