I will now put the question on the three motions and the amendments.

That the Parliament shall establish the following committees:

The Justice and Home Affairs; Education, Culture and Sport; Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector; Enterprise and Lifelong Learning; Health and Community Care; Transport and the Environment; Rural Affairs; and Local Government committees shall be established for the whole session of the Parliament.

The first question is, that motion S1M-37, in the name of Mr Tom McCabe, be agreed to.

Motion agreed to.

The question is, that amendment S1M-40.1, in the name of Karen Whitefield, be agreed to. Are we all agreed?

Members:

No.

In that case there will be a division.

Members should vote yes to agree to the amendment and no to disagree to the amendment; those who wish to abstain should press the abstain button.

Division number 1

For: Alexander, Ms Wendy, Baillie, Jackie, Barrie, Scott, Boyack, Sarah, Brankin, Rhona, Craigie, Cathie, Curran, Ms Margaret, Deacon, Susan, Dewar, Donald, Eadie, Helen, Ferguson, Ms Patricia, Galbraith, Mr Sam, Gillon, Karen, Godman, Trish, Gray, Iain, Henry, Hugh, Home Robertson, Mr John, Hughes, Janis, Jackson, Dr Sylvia, Jackson, Gordon, Jamieson, Cathy, Jamieson, Margaret, Kerr, Mr Andy, Lamont, Johann, Livingstone, Marilyn, Macdonald, Lewis, Macintosh, Mr Kenneth, Mackay, Angus, MacLean, Kate, Martin, Paul, McAveety, Mr Frank, McCabe, Mr Tom, McConnell, Mr Jack, McLeish, Henry, McMahon, Mr Michael, McNeil, Mr Duncan, McNeill, Pauline, McNulty, Des, Morrison, Mr Alasdair, Muldoon, Bristow, Mulligan, Mrs Mary, Murray, Dr Elaine, Oldfather, Ms Irene, Peacock, Peter, Peattie, Cathy, Simpson, Dr Richard, Smith, Elaine, Thomson, Elaine, Watson, Mike, Welsh, Ian, Whitefield, Karen, Wilson, Allan
Against: Adam, Brian, Aitken, Bill, Brown, Robert, Campbell, Colin, Canavan, Dennis, Chisholm, Malcolm, Crawford, Bruce JP, Cunningham, Roseanna, Davidson, Mr David, Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James, Elder, Dorothy-Grace, Ewing, Dr Winnie, Ewing, Fergus, Ewing, Mrs Margaret, Fabiani, Linda, Fergusson, Alex, Finnie, Ross, Gallie, Phil, Gibson, Mr Kenneth, Gorrie, Donald, Grahame, Christine, Hamilton, Mr Duncan, Harding, Mr Keith, Harper, Robin, Hyslop, Fiona, Ingram, Mr Adam, Jenkins, Ian, Johnston, Mr Nick, Johnstone, Alex, Lochhead, Richard, Lyon, George, MacAskill, Mr Kenny, MacDonald, Ms Margo, Marwick, Tricia, McGrigor, Mr Jamie, McGugan, Irene, McIntosh, Mrs Lyndsay, McLeod, Fiona, McLetchie, David, Monteith, Mr Brian, Morgan, Alasdair, Mundell, David, Munro, Mr John, Neil, Alex, Paterson, Mr Gil, Quinan, Mr Lloyd, Radcliffe, Nora, Raffan, Mr Keith, Reid, Mr George, Robison, Shona, Robson, Euan, Rumbles, Mr Mike, Russell, Michael, Salmond, Mr Alex, Scanlon, Mary, Scott, Tavish, Sheridan, Tommy, Smith, Iain, Smith, Mrs Margaret, Stephen, Nicol, Stone, Mr Jamie, Sturgeon, Nicola, Swinney, Mr John, Tosh, Mr Murray, Ullrich, Kay, Wallace, Ben, Wallace, Mr Jim, Welsh, Mr Andrew, White, Ms Sandra, Wilson, Andrew, Young, John
Abstentions: Grant, Rhoda, Macmillan, Maureen, McAllion, Mr John

The result of the division is as follows: Yes 52, No 71, Abstentions 3.

Amendment disagreed to.

The question is, that amendment S1M-40.2, in the name of Mrs Margaret Smith, be agreed to. Are we all agreed?

Members:

No.

There will be a division. Voting is as previously: to vote for the amendment, press yes; to vote against the amendment, press no; to abstain, press the abstain button.

Division number 2

For: Alexander, Ms Wendy, Baillie, Jackie, Barrie, Scott, Boyack, Sarah, Brankin, Rhona, Brown, Robert, Chisholm, Malcolm, Craigie, Cathie, Curran, Ms Margaret, Deacon, Susan, Dewar, Donald, Eadie, Helen, Ferguson, Ms Patricia, Finnie, Ross, Galbraith, Mr Sam, Gillon, Karen, Godman, Trish, Gorrie, Donald, Grant, Rhoda, Gray, Iain, Henry, Hugh, Home Robertson, Mr John, Hughes, Janis, Jackson, Dr Sylvia, Jackson, Gordon, Jamieson, Cathy, Jamieson, Margaret, Jenkins, Ian, Kerr, Mr Andy, Lamont, Johann, Livingstone, Marilyn, Lyon, George, Macdonald, Lewis, Macintosh, Mr Kenneth, Mackay, Angus, MacLean, Kate, Macmillan, Maureen, Martin, Paul, McAllion, Mr John, McAveety, Mr Frank, McCabe, Mr Tom, McConnell, Mr Jack, McLeish, Henry, McMahon, Mr Michael, McNeil, Mr Duncan, McNeill, Pauline, McNulty, Des, Morrison, Mr Alasdair, Muldoon, Bristow, Mulligan, Mrs Mary, Munro, Mr John, Murray, Dr Elaine, Oldfather, Ms Irene, Peacock, Peter, Peattie, Cathy, Radcliffe, Nora, Robson, Euan, Rumbles, Mr Mike, Scott, Tavish, Simpson, Dr Richard, Smith, Elaine, Smith, Iain, Smith, Mrs Margaret, Stephen, Nicol, Stone, Mr Jamie, Thomson, Elaine, Wallace, Mr Jim, Watson, Mike, Welsh, Ian, Whitefield, Karen, Wilson, Allan
Against: Adam, Brian, Aitken, Bill, Campbell, Colin, Canavan, Dennis, Crawford, Bruce JP, Cunningham, Roseanna, Davidson, Mr David, Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James, Elder, Dorothy-Grace, Ewing, Dr Winnie, Ewing, Fergus, Ewing, Mrs Margaret, Fabiani, Linda, Fergusson, Alex, Gallie, Phil, Gibson, Mr Kenneth, Grahame, Christine, Hamilton, Mr Duncan, Harding, Mr Keith, Harper, Robin, Hyslop, Fiona, Ingram, Mr Adam, Johnston, Mr Nick, Johnstone, Alex, Lochhead, Richard, MacAskill, Mr Kenny, MacDonald, Ms Margo, Marwick, Tricia, McGrigor, Mr Jamie, McGugan, Irene, McIntosh, Mrs Lyndsay, McLeod, Fiona, McLetchie, David, Monteith, Mr Brian, Morgan, Alasdair, Mundell, David, Neil, Alex, Paterson, Mr Gil, Quinan, Mr Lloyd, Raffan, Mr Keith, Reid, Mr George, Robison, Shona, Russell, Michael, Salmond, Mr Alex, Scanlon, Mary, Sheridan, Tommy, Sturgeon, Nicola, Swinney, Mr John, Tosh, Mr Murray, Ullrich, Kay, Wallace, Ben, Welsh, Mr Andrew, White, Ms Sandra, Wilson, Andrew, Young, John

The result of the division is as follows: Yes 71, No 55, Abstentions 0.

Amendment agreed to.

The question is, that motion S1M-40, in the name of Mr Michael Russell, as amended by amendment S1M-40.2 in the name of Mrs Margaret Smith, be agreed to. Are we all agreed?

Motion, as amended, agreed to.

That the Parliament in accordance with section 81(2) of the Scotland Act 1998 (c.46), make provision for the payment of allowances to members of the Parliament and that the following provisions should have effect:-

There shall be a Members' Allowances Scheme ("the Scheme") which shall make provision to be implemented by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body ("the SPCB") for the payment of allowances to members of the Parliament.

The following Parts A, B and C together with the Annexes attached shall be the Scheme:-

Part A - General Rules in relation to the Scheme:

The following general rules shall, unless the context otherwise requires, govern the Scheme:-

Rule 1 - Interpretation and commencement:

(1) In this Scheme-

"parliamentary complex" means the place where the Parliament or any of its committees or sub-committees meets from time to time; "remuneration of staff" includes gross salaries, employers' national insurance contributions and employers' pension contributions; "main residence" means the property in which the member is resident for council tax purposes under section 75 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992; "other residence" means any residence which the member owns or leases other than his or her main residence, and any reference to a Part is a reference to the Part so lettered in this Scheme and any reference to an Annex is a reference to the Annex so lettered in this Scheme.

(2) This Scheme shall come into force 24 hours after the passing of the resolution giving effect to the Scheme.

Rule 2 - Verifiable Expenditure:

(1) The SPCB may, on an application for the purpose made to it by a member in accordance with this Scheme, make payments to that member by way of allowances for the reimbursement of expenses incurred by that member.

(2) Allowances for which a member is eligible shall be paid by the SPCB only upon the production to the SPCB of evidence of relevant expenditure.

(3) The SPCB shall provide forms for the purposes of administering the Scheme which members shall complete and sign in order to claim the relevant allowance.

Rule 3 -The Allowances Code:

The proper use of allowances payable under this Scheme shall be governed by the Allowances Code at Annex A.

Rule 4 - Publication:

(1) The SPCB shall publish the following information for each financial year in respect of each member in such form as the SPCB may determine-

(a) details of the allowance expenditure incurred; and

(b) the names of the staff employed by the member.

(2) A copy of the information published under paragraph (1) shall be kept by the Clerk at the office of the Clerk and shall be available for inspection by any person on the days and at the times when the office of the Clerk is open.

Rule 5 - Enforcement:

(1) The SPCB shall be responsible for supervising members' adherence to the Scheme.

(2) Where eligibility for any of the allowances in this Scheme is in dispute, and cannot otherwise be resolved, the matter shall be referred to the SPCB for determination.

(3) Any member may make a complaint to the SPCB about another member where he or she has reason to believe that allowances under this Scheme have not been expended in accordance with the Scheme (hereinafter referred to as an improper use of allowances), and where such a complaint is made, the SPCB shall hear that complaint within one month.

4. Where the SPCB has reason to believe that a member has made an improper use of allowances or where the SPCB has received a complaint under sub-paragraph (3), the SPCB may, after raising the matter with the Business Manager of the relevant political party, initiate investigations into the matter.

Rule 6 - Virement:

(1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this rule, a member shall not vire amounts between one allowance and another allowance.

(2) A member may vire up to 25% of his or her local office costs allowance to use for staffing or up to 25% of his or her staff allowance to use for local office costs provided that written notice is given to the SPCB.

Rule 7 - Uprating:

(2) The SPCB shall, unless the Parliament does not agree, uprate the motor vehicle allowance in line with the maximum rate in respects of vehicles over 1199cc set for local government under section 46 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, and the uprating will become effective at the same time as it does for local government.

(3) The SPCB shall uprate the motorcycle mileage allowance at the same time as and in accordance with the corresponding allowance set for staff of the Scottish Administration.

(4) The SPCB shall uprate the pedal cycle mileage allowance at the same time as and in accordance with the maximum tax-free allowance set by the Treasury.

Rule 8 - Parliamentary Duties:

(1) All of the allowances referred to in this Scheme are to be used only for the purpose of members carrying out their Parliamentary duties.

(2) In this Scheme, "Parliamentary duties" means the undertaking of any task or function which a member could reasonably be expected to carry out in his or her capacity as a member of the Parliament including:

(a) attending a meeting of the Parliament;

(b) attending a meeting of a committee or sub-committee of the Parliament of which the member is a member or which the member is required to attend because of being in charge of a Bill or other matter under consideration by the committee or sub-committee or for any other valid reason relating only to the business of the committee or sub-committee;

(c) undertaking research or administrative functions which relate directly to the business of the Parliament;

(d) attending meetings for the purpose of representing electors or explaining the application of policy including attending meetings for the purpose of seeing a constituent or constituents;

(e) attending Parliamentary party group meetings in Edinburgh;

(f) attending any ceremony or official function or national or international conference as a representative of the Parliament or with its authority; but does not include a member's activities which are wholly in relation to that member's role as a Party spokesperson or representative

Rule 9 - Equality:

All members shall be treated equally irrespective of whether they have been returned as constituency members or as regional members, subject to paragraph 2 of Part B.

Rule 10 - Allowances: general:

(1) Where a member has claimed an allowance from any other source, the member shall not be eligible to claim the same allowance under this Scheme.

(2) Where a person becomes eligible for an allowance part way through the financial year, then the amount of any allowance payable under this Scheme shall be apportioned on a pro rata basis.

(3) Where a person ceases to be a member part way through the financial year, the SPCB shall decide whether or not any allowance shall be apportioned on a pro rata basis.

Part B - AllowancesStaff Allowance:

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), staff employed by a member will be employed on the terms and conditions determined by the SPCB from time to time.

(3) A member may employ his or her staff on conditions which are more favourable to the employee than those determined by the SPCB provided that this does not entail the member exceeding the amount of his or her staff allowance.

(4) Staff of a member shall be bound by the Allowances Code at Annex A.

(5) Whilst the remuneration of staff shall be the responsibility of the member, the SPCB shall provide:-

(a) payroll services for members' staff; and

(b) arrangements for employers' pension contributions to be paid to an employee's choice of pension scheme, and members shall provide the SPCB with details about their staff to enable the SPCB to provide such services and make such arrangements.

(6) A member may pool his or her staff allowance with another member or other members in order to employ staff who are shared between or amongst them, provided that -

(a) a member of staff remains the employee of a single member; and

(b) the members concerned give written notice to the SPCB.

Local Office Costs Allowance:

(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2), (2A), (2B) and (2C) a member shall be eligible for an allowance of £10,000 for each financial year to enable the member, within the constituency or region from which he or she was returned -

(a) to run an office; and

(b) to meet with constituents either on a one to one basis or as a group.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-paragraph (1), this allowance may be used for the following:

(a) lease of a property or rental of premises;

(b) the provision of utilities;

1. the purchase or lease of office furniture or equipment or the purchase of stationery.

(a) there shall be added together the amount of the office costs allowance referred to in paragraph (1) in respect of one such regional member and 30% of that sum in respect of each of the other such regional members;

(b) the resulting total sum shall be divided by the number of such regional members; and

(c) that amount shall be the local office costs allowance for which each such regional member shall be eligible.

(2B) Subject to sub-paragraph (2C), where sub-paragraph (2A) applies the office costs allowance shall be used to enable the regional members concerned-

(a) to run only one office in the particular region; and

(b) to meet constituents either on a one to one basis or as a group;

(c) and accordingly some or all of the regional members concerned may pool all or part of their allowances under this paragraph in order to run such an office provided that the members concerned give written notice to the SPCB.

(2C) Where sub-paragraph (2A) applies in relation to a region mentioned in section C of Annex C (eligibility for exceptional needs allowance: the largest regions), the SPCB-

(a) may determine after inquiry that the regional members concerned may run one additional office because that is necessary for the regional members concerned to carry out their Parliamentary duties effectively; and

(b) in those circumstances may increase the local office costs allowance to which each of the regional members concerned is entitled by such a sum as the SPCB may determine but the total of such increases shall not exceed 100% of the office costs allowance referred to in sub-paragraph (1).

(3) Where local office costs are higher than in other parts of Scotland due to the state of the local economy, a member may refer the matter to the SPCB for its determination as to whether the member should be eligible for an allowance greater than the amount mentioned in sub-paragraph (1), but in any event no greater than 10% of that amount.

Members' Travel Allowance:

(1) A member shall be eligible for the reimbursement of travelling expenses necessarily incurred by that member in performing his or her Parliamentary duties.

(2) In this paragraph -

"travelling expenses" means -

(a) the actual cost of any travel ticket purchased or fare paid in making a journey, or part of a journey, by public transport;

(b) where such a journey, or any part of such a journey, is made by means of a motor vehicle, motor cycle or pedal cycle, owned or wholly maintained by the member, such amount per mile travelled on the journey, or that part of the journey, by means of that motor vehicle, motor cycle or pedal cycle as is described in sub-paragraphs (3) to (5);

(c) in exceptional circumstances, with the approval of the SPCB, the actual cost of car hire and associated petrol costs; and

(d) tolls and carparking charges; "public transport" means any service or services provided to the public at large for the carriage of passengers by road, rail, air or sea but includes travel by taxi service only where the use of such a service is required for reasons of urgency or where it is not reasonably practicable for the member to use other forms of public transport.

(3) The rate of the motor vehicle mileage allowance will be the maximum set for local government under section 46 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and shall apply to all motor vehicles irrespective of engine size or annual mileage.

(4) The rate of the motorcycle mileage allowance will be the corresponding maximum rate set for Scottish Office employees.

(5) The rate of the pedal cycle mileage allowance will be at the level of the maximum tax free allowance set by the Treasury.

(6) Any travel outside Scotland shall be eligible for reimbursement only where the travel concerned has been authorised in advance by the SPCB.

Edinburgh Accommodation Allowance:

(1) Where a member's main residence lies within a constituency mentioned in Group One of Annex B, he or she shall not be eligible for any allowance under this paragraph.

(2) Where a member's main residence lies within a constituency mentioned in Group Two of Annex B, the member shall be eligible for an overnight subsistence allowance of up to £80 per night for each night that he or she requires to stay overnight for Parliamentary duties in Edinburgh.

(3) Where a member's main residence lies within a constituency mentioned in Group Three of Annex B, the member shall be eligible for a total allowance of £9000 for each financial year comprising either -

(a) an allowance of up to £80 per night for each night that he or she requires to stay overnight for Parliamentary duties in Edinburgh; or

(b) subject to sub-paragraph (4), an allowance in order to cover the costs of those items mentioned in sub-paragraph (5) below, where such costs are a necessary consequence of having to stay overnight for Parliamentary duties in Edinburgh.

(4) Where the member claims an allowance under sub-paragraph (3)(b) part way through the financial year, then the amount of the allowance payable under that paragraph shall be apportioned on a pro rata basis.

(5) The costs referred to in sub-paragraph (3) relate only to the provision and use as residential accommodation of a property located in the City of Edinburgh and are -

(a) the rent payable for the lease of the property;

(b) the interest on the capital required to purchase the property;

(c) council tax;

(d) factoring charges; and

(e) the provision of utilities.

(6) Where a member's main residence falls within Group Two of Annex B, the member may refer his or her case to the SPCB and, where there are extenuating circumstances, the SPCB may determine that the member may for the purposes of this paragraph be treated as if his or her main residence fell within Group Three of Annex B.

(7) The SPCB shall publish for each financial year information about any allowance payable under this paragraph including the name of the city, town or village where each member's main residence is located .

Exceptional Needs Allowance:

(1) This paragraph applies to members from those constituencies or regions which are set out in Annex C.

(2) A member shall be eligible to claim an exceptional needs allowance of up to £80 per night where it is unreasonable for the member to return to his or her main or other residence before or after undertaking Parliamentary duties within the member's constituency or region.

Overnight Subsistence Allowance:

(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (4) and (5), a member shall be eligible for an overnight subsistence allowance where he or she requires for the purpose of carrying out his or her Parliamentary duties to spend a night away from his or her main or other residence.

(2) The amount of the overnight subsistence allowance shall be:-

(a) up to £80 per night; or

(b) up to £100 per night in Greater London; or

(c) in respect of a stay outside the United Kingdom an amount determined by the SPCB.

(3) Any claim for overnight subsistence in connection with a stay outside Scotland shall be eligible for reimbursement only where the stay concerned has been authorised in advance by the SPCB.

(4) A member is not eligible for an allowance under this paragraph in connection with Parliamentary duties in Edinburgh.

(5) A member is not eligible for an allowance under this paragraph in connection with Parliamentary duties within his or her constituency or region.

Staff Travel Allowance:

(1) This paragraph applies only to staff employed through the SPCB payroll service.

(2) Each member is eligible for an allowance in respect of the cost of 40 single journeys for each financial year between their constituency or region and the Parliamentary complex by members of their staff.

(3) The SPCB shall keep a record of each member's entitlement to an allowance under this paragraph and its use to date.

Family Travel Allowance:

(1) Each member is eligible for an allowance in respect of the cost of 12 single journeys for each financial year between his or her constituency, region or main residence and Edinburgh for each member of his or her immediate family.

(2) In this paragraph, "immediate family" means -

(a) the member's spouse or another nominated person; and

(b) any child under the age of 18; and

(c) for the purposes of this paragraph "child" includes any step child, adopted child, foster child or any other child living with that member as part of his or her family.

(3) The SPCB shall keep a record of each member's entitlement to an allowance under this paragraph and its use to date.

(4) In order to qualify for the family travel allowance, a member must register with the SPCB who are his or her immediate family eligible to take part in the Scheme.

Disability Allowance:

(1) This paragraph applies to any member whose ability to undertake his or her role as a member is impaired by reason of disability.

(2) The SPCB may award an allowance up to a maximum of £10,000 per session to a member for him or her to use in any way which the SPCB decides is helpful to the member in undertaking his or her work.

Winding Up Allowance:

(2) The amount of the winding up allowance shall be the equivalent of one third of the staff allowance and local office costs allowance payable in any one financial year to which the member would otherwise have been entitled.

Part C - Independent Review:

For the purposes of determining the success or otherwise of the practical operation of the Scheme, the SPCB shall, within 18 months of the coming into force of this Scheme, set up an independent review of the operation of the Scheme and following the review make recommendations to the Parliament.

ANNEX AALLOWANCES CODEA: Relationships Between Members:

(1) Any constituent can approach any MSP within his or her constituency or region.

(2) If a constituent seeks to approach a particular MSP, the constituent must be directed to that MSP by other MSPs or their staff.

(3) All MSPs have a right to hold surgeries within the area for which they were returned.

(4) Any constituent from outside a region who approaches an MSP with a constituency issue should be directed initially to a relevant MSP.

(5) Any list MSP who raises a constituency issue should notify the relevant constituency MSP at the outset unless the consent of the constituent is withheld.

(6) Any MSP who is approached by a constituent with an issue related to a reserved matter (e.g. social security) should consult with the appropriate Westminster MP.

B: Offices:

(1) Each MSP will normally have one Parliamentary office base within the area for which he or she was returned that will be his or her registered local address for correspondence.

(2) All MSPs' offices will be presented as 'The Office of Ms X, Member of the Scottish Parliament' in the Parliament's colours. It should be possible to identify the party affiliation of the MSP as well, if desired.

(3) Parliamentary offices may be acquired in association with political party premises, but must be a clearly definable office space. Party political material is not permitted to be externally displayed in areas occupied by the Parliamentary office.

(4) Parliamentary offices should be suitable for public access.

(5) MSPs will be able to use offices/locations, other than their main base, within the area for which they were returned for surgery purposes.

C: Activities:

(1) Premises, or the relevant part of premises, acquired as Parliamentary offices should be used only for parliamentary activities, and not for party business.

(2) During the hours that they are employed by an MSP under his or her staff allowance, an MSP's employees may not undertake any significant party political activity.

(3) MSPs will be responsible to the SPCB for the activities of their staff as for their own activities.

(4) Premises, or the relevant part of premises, acquired as Parliamentary offices shall not be used as a base for canvassing or election campaigning, or any party activity related to elections.

(5) Parliamentary stationery and office equipment must not be used for party purposes.

D: Responsibilities:

(1) Each MSP has a duty to ensure that he or she utilises the allowances to which he or she is eligible for the purpose for which they were intended. This includes any allowances for which he or she is eligible, but which are utilised by members of staff or immediate family.

(2) Each MSP has a duty to ensure that he or she adheres to the terms of this code in spirit and in practice.

ANNEX BELIGIBILITY FOR EDINBURGH ACCOMMODATION ALLOWANCES:

Group One:

Edinburgh West Edinburgh Pentlands Edinburgh Central Edinburgh North & Leith Edinburgh South Edinburgh East & Musselburgh Linlithgow Livingston Midlothian

Group Two:

East Lothian North East Fife Central Fife Kirkcaldy Dunfermline East Dunfermline West Ochil Falkirk East Falkirk West Cumbernauld & Kilsyth Airdrie & Shotts Coatbridge & Chryston Hamilton North & Bellshill Motherwell & Wishaw Hamilton South Glasgow Anniesland Glasgow Ballieston Glasgow Cathcart Glasgow Govan Glasgow Kelvin Glasgow Maryhill Glasgow Pollok Glasgow Rutherglen Glasgow Shettleston Glasgow Springburn Strathkelvin & Bearsden Paisley North Paisley South Stirling Perth Dundee East Dundee West Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale

Group Three:

Aberdeen Central Aberdeen North Aberdeen South Aberdeenshire West & Kincardine Angus Argyll and Bute Ayr Banff & Buchan Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley Clydesdale Clydebank & Milngavie Cunninghame North Cunninghame South Dumbarton Dumfries East Kilbride Eastwood Galloway and Upper Nithsdale Gordon Greenock & Inverclyde Inverness East Nairn & Lochaber Kilmarnock & Loudon Moray Orkney Renfrewshire West Ross, Skye & Inverness West Roxburgh & Berwickshire Shetland Tayside North Western Isles

ANNEX CELIGIBILITY FOR EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS ALLOWANCEA: Constituencies of over 250,000 hectares:

Argyll & Bute Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross Galloway & Upper Nithsdale Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber North Tayside Ross, Skye and Inverness West Roxburgh & Berwickshire West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine Western Isles

B: Constituencies which contain significant island communities:

Orkney Shetland Cunninghame North

C: The largest regions:

Highlands & Islands North East Scotland South of Scotland".

Motion S1M-41 concerned equipment. The question is, that motion S1M-41, in the name of Mr Michael Russell, be agreed to.

Motion agreed to.

That the Parliament direct the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body ("the SPCB") as follows:

1. Provision of Information Technology and Office Equipment (1) The SPCB shall provide information technology and other office equipment for the Parliament.

(2) Where such information technology and other office equipment is provided for the use of a member for the purpose of carrying out his or her Parliamentary duties -

(a) the member may select the equipment concerned but only from a list of items specified by the SPCB;

(b) the cost of such equipment shall be no more than £5000 in the first year following a general election and no more than £1500 in each of the following years in that session;

(c) the member shall be responsible for the maintenance, protection and security of such equipment and the SPCB may, if it has reasonable grounds to believe that any such equipment is being misused, require the return of the equipment.

2. Provision of Office Supplies (1) The SPCB shall provide office supplies and postage stamps or postage paid envelopes for the Parliament.

(2) Where such office supplies are provided for the use of a member for the purpose of carrying out his or her Parliamentary duties the member may select the supplies concerned but only from a list of items specified by the SPCB.

3. Publication The SPCB shall publish for each financial year in respect of each member details of the total sums expended under paragraphs 1 and 2 of this direction.

4. Parliamentary Duties For the purposes of this direction, "Parliamentary duties" shall have the same meaning as in rule 8 of Part A of the Members' Allowances Scheme.

That concludes the main business. We now move on to members' business.

On a point of order-

Sorry Alex, just hang on. I am calling Mr Salmond on a point of order; could we have the microphone on please? I do not know what has happened-just shout.

It is a brief point of order. The ruling on interventions seems unclear. If no one takes interventions, it will stifle debate. It would be helpful, Mr Presiding Officer, if there could be a definitive ruling that members who take interventions will not be unduly penalised in terms of time.

Members:

Hear, hear.

That was the purport of my ruling earlier, but I will deliver a short homily in the bulletin so that everybody has it in writing.

We now move to the members' business debate, which is on motion S1M-24 lodged by Dr Sylvia Jackson. Members who do not wish to stay for the debate should please leave as quietly as possible.

We seem to have a slight problem with the microphones at the moment. The matter is being attended to.

I am informed that within a minute or two we shall have the microphones back, so members should exercise a little patience. Our apologies to Dr Jackson.