The next item is consideration of business motion S1M-1428, in the name of Tom McCabe, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out the business programme for the next two weeks. I call Tavish Scott to move the motion.

Before moving the business motion, I should inform the Parliament that the Executive business that is expected to be taken on Thursday of next week is a debate on a Sewel motion in respect of the tobacco advertising and promotion bill, which will be dealt with at Westminster. The proposed legislation was announced in the Queen's speech yesterday, and will shortly be introduced to Parliament. Details of how the bill affects Scotland will be made available to members in advance of the debate.

Unfortunately, I am unable to inform the chamber of the topics that the Scottish National Party has chosen for debate for Thursday next week. I hope that, in future, we will be able to provide information for members as it comes up.

I move,

That the Parliament agrees the following programme of business— Wednesday 13 December 2000

9.30 am Time for Reflection - The Reverend Dr. Gordon Murray, Minister, Edinburgh and Forth Methodist Circuit followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Education, Culture and Sport Committee and Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee Debate on SQA Inquiries

2.30 pm Finance Committee Debate on 2001-02 Budget Process Stage 2 followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

5.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members' Business - debate on the subject of S1M-1206 Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: Abercorn Primary School, West Lothian Thursday 14 December 2000

9.30 am Scottish National Party Business followed by Ministerial Statement on the Health Plan followed by Business Motion

2.30 pm Question Time

3.10 pm First Minister's Question Time

3.30 pm Debate on Committee Restructuring followed by Executive Business followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

5.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members' Business - debate on the subject of S1M-808 Fergus Ewing: Shinty Wednesday 20 December 2000

9.30 am Time for Reflection followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Stage 3 Debate on the Transport (Scotland) Bill

2.30 pm Continuation of Stage 3 Debate on the Transport (Scotland) Bill

5.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members' Business

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. It is not a prerequisite to put forward what the business will be—it is not necessary. That is a point of order.

No, it is not; it is a point of argument.

Donald Gorrie has requested to speak against the business motion.

What Tavish Scott has just said strengthens my argument. My concern is about the time that is allocated on the afternoon of Thursday 14 December for the debate on committee restructuring. Presumably, it will last considerably less than an hour and a half. My argument is that that debate is on what is pre-eminently a back-bench issue, which has hitherto been dominated by the Parliamentary Bureau. Doubtless, the bureau will get its say first—at considerable length. The amount of time for back benchers will be very short. I think it very important that arguments can be made from all points of view.

Some members, like me, may oppose the proposals that have been made; others feel that, because of travel or other commitments, they would like to be on fewer committees; some might like to be on more committees; and some have views on the effective size of committees. Many individual members would have useful contributions to make. As things stand, they will be denied the opportunity to make them.

I therefore urge the Parliamentary Bureau to allow a longer time for this very important debate. It is the first time that there will be a serious debate on committees, their role and their membership. We deserve much more than an hour or whatever length of time we will get. I oppose the motion.

The four business managers of the main parties agreed to the programme of business, including the timings of the debate on committee restructuring, at the Parliamentary Bureau meeting on Tuesday. Mr Gorrie was made aware of that fact at the Liberal Democrat group meeting on Tuesday night. I am not convinced by the argument that Parliament should extend its public navel-gazing. We should spend more time sorting these matters out carefully. Donald Gorrie has the opportunity to press his request-to-speak button next week. I hope that he will do so, and will speak in the debate. It does not follow from the motion that the Executive or, indeed, the front-bench members of any of the main parties will seek to dominate the debate. Therefore, I hope that Mr Gorrie will withdraw his opposition to the motion, on the basis that I am sure that he will catch the Presiding Officer's eye next week.

The question is, that motion S1M-1428, in the name of Tom McCabe, be agreed to. Are we all agreed?

Members:

No.

There will be a division.

Division number 1

For: Alexander, Ms Wendy, Baillie, Jackie, Boyack, Sarah, Brankin, Rhona, Butler, Bill, Craigie, Cathie, Crawford, Bruce, Davidson, Mr David, Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James, Eadie, Helen, Ewing, Dr Winnie, Ewing, Fergus, Ewing, Mrs Margaret, Fabiani, Linda, Fergusson, Alex, Finnie, Ross, Gibson, Mr Kenneth, Godman, Trish, Grant, Rhoda, Gray, Iain, Hamilton, Mr Duncan, Henry, Hugh, Home Robertson, Mr John, Hughes, Janis, Hyslop, Fiona, Jamieson, Cathy, Jamieson, Margaret, Johnstone, Alex, Lamont, Johann, Lochhead, Richard, Lyon, George, Macdonald, Lewis, Macintosh, Mr Kenneth, MacKay, Angus, Martin, Paul, Marwick, Tricia, McAllion, Mr John, McAveety, Mr Frank, McCabe, Mr Tom, McConnell, Mr Jack, McGrigor, Mr Jamie, McGugan, Irene, McLeod, Fiona, McMahon, Mr Michael, McNeil, Mr Duncan, McNulty, Des, Monteith, Mr Brian, Morrison, Mr Alasdair, Muldoon, Bristow, Mulligan, Mrs Mary, Murray, Dr Elaine, Peacock, Peter, Peattie, Cathy, Robson, Euan, Rumbles, Mr Mike, Russell, Michael, Salmond, Mr Alex, Scott, Tavish, Simpson, Dr Richard, Smith, Iain, Smith, Mrs Margaret, Stephen, Nicol, Stone, Mr Jamie, Sturgeon, Nicola, Swinney, Mr John, Thomson, Elaine, Tosh, Mr Murray, Ullrich, Kay, Wallace, Mr Jim, Watson, Mike, White, Ms Sandra, Whitefield, Karen, Wilson, Allan, Wilson, Andrew
Against: Gorrie, Donald, Munro, Mr John, Radcliffe, Nora

The result of the division is: For 74, Against 3, Abstentions 0.

Motion agreed to.

Meeting suspended until 14:30.

On resuming—