– in the Scottish Parliament at on 20 November 2024.
Alison Johnstone
Green
The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-15545, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on the Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill: timetable and procedures for consideration. Any member who wishes to speak to the motion should press their request-to-speak button now.
Motion moved,
That, subject to the Parliament’s agreement that the Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill be treated as an Emergency Bill, the Parliament agrees to consider the Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill as follows—
Stage 1 on Thursday 21 November 2024;
and, subject to the Parliament’s agreement of the general principles of the Bill, Stages 2 and 3 on Tuesday 26 November 2024.—[Jamie Hepburn]
Alison Johnstone
Green
No member has asked to speak to the motion.
The question is, that motion S6M-15545, on the Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill: timetable and procedures for consideration, be agreed to. Are we agreed?
Alison Johnstone
Green
There will be a Division.
Division number 1
Business Motions
Alison Johnstone
Green
The result of the Division on motion S6M-15545, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on the Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill: timetable and procedures for consideration, is: For 92, Against 31, Abstentions 0.
Motion agreed to,
That, subject to the Parliament’s agreement that the Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill be treated as an Emergency Bill, the Parliament agrees to consider the Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill as follows—
Stage 1 on Thursday 21 November 2024;
and, subject to the Parliament’s agreement of the general principles of the Bill, Stages 2 and 3 on Tuesday 26 November 2024.
Alison Johnstone
Green
The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-15540, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme.
Motion moved,
That the Parliament agrees—
(a) the following programme of business—
Tuesday 26 November 2024
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Topical Questions (if selected)
followed by Committee of the Whole Parliament — Stage 2 Proceedings: Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill
followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill
followed by Committee Announcements
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
8.00 pm Decision Time
Wednesday 27 November 2024
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions:
Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands;
Health and Social Care
followed by Scottish Labour Party Business
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Approval of SSIs (if required)
5.10 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 28 November 2024
11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
11.40 am General Questions
12.00 pm First Minister's Questions
followed by Members’ Business
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Questions
2.15 pm Portfolio Questions:
Social Justice
followed by Ministerial Statement: A96 Corridor Review Publication
followed by Stage 1 Debate: Housing (Scotland) Bill
followed by Financial Resolution: Housing (Scotland) Bill
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
Tuesday 3 December 2024
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Topical Questions (if selected)
followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill
followed by Committee Announcements
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Wednesday 4 December 2024
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions:
Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and Parliamentary Business;
Justice and Home Affairs
followed by Scottish Government Business
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Approval of SSIs (if required)
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 5 December 2024
11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
11.40 am General Questions
12.00 pm First Minister's Questions
followed by Members’ Business
2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.30 pm Portfolio Questions:
Education and Skills
followed by Scottish Government Business
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
(b) that, for the purposes of Portfolio Questions in the week beginning 25 November 2024, in rule 13.7.3, after the word “except” the words “to the extent to which the Presiding Officer considers that the questions are on the same or similar subject matter or” are inserted.—[Jamie Hepburn.]
Douglas Ross
Conservative
5:34,
20 November 2024
The business motion adds a statement next Thursday on the publication of the A96 corridor review. Therefore, I wonder whether I can ask the Minister, not for details of what will be in the statement, but for information on two points. First, the corridor review was due two years ago, in December 2022, and it has been delayed since then. According to Transport Scotland, there have been 4,600 responses and 11,000 options. Can the minister confirm that members will have sight of the corridor review well in advance of the statement, so that they are able to go through the considerable document and can challenge ministers effectively?
Secondly, without saying what the outcome of the review is, can the minister say whether it is the intention of the Government to give a recommendation to Parliament next week? Again, the communities in Moray, the Highlands and Aberdeenshire have been waiting an awful long time for the outcome of the review, which has so far cost taxpayers £6 million, and they want to know whether, next Thursday, there will be a guarantee that, finally, the Scottish National Party Government will deliver its commitment to fully dual the A96 from Inverness to Aberdeen.
Jamie Hepburn
Scottish National Party
5:35,
20 November 2024
I am sure that Mr Ross will welcome the fact that we are scheduling the statement, because that will give him the opportunity to ask some of the very questions that he has asked just now. There is, of course, a limit to what I am able to say, because, rightly—as I think that you would expect, Presiding Officer—the first opportunity for those questions to be asked will be after the transport secretary stands on her feet to deliver that statement.
Douglas Ross
Conservative
That is why, in my remarks, I said that I was not seeking to know what is in the statement. However, does the Minister understand that MSPs will be better equipped to question the transport secretary if we see the corridor review in advance, given that there have been almost 5,000 responses to it? Does he also accept that people are expecting a recommendation from the Government next Thursday about whether it is finally going to fully dual the route from Inverness to Aberdeen?
Jamie Hepburn
Scottish National Party
The latter point actually gets to the heart of the statement. That is an issue for the statement, and Mr Ross will have his opportunity that day to ask questions about the statement, which I presume he will.
I take the point about the notice that is required to be given to members to enable them to properly scrutinise the Government. We have a normal process. I accept that the document is a substantial one, so, right now, along with the transport secretary, I am giving active consideration to how we can facilitate precisely what Mr Ross is looking for, and we will be able to announce something in that regard in due course.
Motion agreed to,
That the Parliament agrees—
(a) the following programme of business—
Tuesday 26 November 2024
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Topical Questions (if selected)
followed by Committee of the Whole Parliament — Stage 2 Proceedings: Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill
followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill
followed by Committee Announcements
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
8.00 pm Decision Time
Wednesday 27 November 2024
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions:
Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands;
Health and Social Care
followed by Scottish Labour Party Business
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Approval of SSIs (if required)
5.10 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 28 November 2024
11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
11.40 am General Questions
12.00 pm First Minister's Questions
followed by Members’ Business
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Questions
2.15 pm Portfolio Questions:
Social Justice
followed by Ministerial Statement: A96 Corridor Review Publication
followed by Stage 1 Debate: Housing (Scotland) Bill
followed by Financial Resolution: Housing (Scotland) Bill
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
Tuesday 3 December 2024
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Topical Questions (if selected)
followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill
followed by Committee Announcements
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Wednesday 4 December 2024
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions:
Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and Parliamentary Business;
Justice and Home Affairs
followed by Scottish Government Business
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Approval of SSIs (if required)
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 5 December 2024
11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
11.40 am General Questions
12.00 pm First Minister's Questions
followed by Members’ Business
2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.30 pm Portfolio Questions:
Education and Skills
followed by Scottish Government Business
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
(b) that, for the purposes of Portfolio Questions in the week beginning 25 November 2024, in rule 13.7.3, after the word “except” the words “to the extent to which the Presiding Officer considers that the questions are on the same or similar subject matter or” are inserted.
Alison Johnstone
Green
The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-15553, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on a change to tomorrow’s business.
Motion moved,
That the Parliament agrees to the following revision to the programme of business for Thursday 21 November 2024—
after
followed by Stage 1 Debate: Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill
insert
followed by Financial Resolution: Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill—[Jamie Hepburn]
Motion agreed to.
The House of Commons votes by dividing. Those voting Aye (yes) to any proposition walk through the division lobby to the right of the Speaker and those voting no through the lobby to the left. In each of the lobbies there are desks occupied by Clerks who tick Members' names off division lists as they pass through. Then at the exit doors the Members are counted by two Members acting as tellers. The Speaker calls for a vote by announcing "Clear the Lobbies". In the House of Lords "Clear the Bar" is called. Division Bells ring throughout the building and the police direct all Strangers to leave the vicinity of the Members’ Lobby. They also walk through the public rooms of the House shouting "division". MPs have eight minutes to get to the Division Lobby before the doors are closed. Members make their way to the Chamber, where Whips are on hand to remind the uncertain which way, if any, their party is voting. Meanwhile the Clerks who will take the names of those voting have taken their place at the high tables with the alphabetical lists of MPs' names on which ticks are made to record the vote. When the tellers are ready the counting process begins - the recording of names by the Clerk and the counting of heads by the tellers. When both lobbies have been counted and the figures entered on a card this is given to the Speaker who reads the figures and announces "So the Ayes [or Noes] have it". In the House of Lords the process is the same except that the Lobbies are called the Contents Lobby and the Not Contents Lobby. Unlike many other legislatures, the House of Commons and the House of Lords have not adopted a mechanical or electronic means of voting. This was considered in 1998 but rejected. Divisions rarely take less than ten minutes and those where most Members are voting usually take about fifteen. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P9 at the UK Parliament site.
The House of Commons votes by dividing. Those voting Aye (yes) to any proposition walk through the division lobby to the right of the Speaker and those voting no through the lobby to the left. In each of the lobbies there are desks occupied by Clerks who tick Members' names off division lists as they pass through. Then at the exit doors the Members are counted by two Members acting as tellers. The Speaker calls for a vote by announcing "Clear the Lobbies". In the House of Lords "Clear the Bar" is called. Division Bells ring throughout the building and the police direct all Strangers to leave the vicinity of the Members’ Lobby. They also walk through the public rooms of the House shouting "division". MPs have eight minutes to get to the Division Lobby before the doors are closed. Members make their way to the Chamber, where Whips are on hand to remind the uncertain which way, if any, their party is voting. Meanwhile the Clerks who will take the names of those voting have taken their place at the high tables with the alphabetical lists of MPs' names on which ticks are made to record the vote. When the tellers are ready the counting process begins - the recording of names by the Clerk and the counting of heads by the tellers. When both lobbies have been counted and the figures entered on a card this is given to the Speaker who reads the figures and announces "So the Ayes [or Noes] have it". In the House of Lords the process is the same except that the Lobbies are called the Contents Lobby and the Not Contents Lobby. Unlike many other legislatures, the House of Commons and the House of Lords have not adopted a mechanical or electronic means of voting. This was considered in 1998 but rejected. Divisions rarely take less than ten minutes and those where most Members are voting usually take about fifteen. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P9 at the UK Parliament site.
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
