1. Minutes (a) Draft minutes of 9 June 2009 (attached) (b) Matters arising. 2. Future Business Programme (PB/S3/09/107)

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1 PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU Ag/S3/09/24 AGENDA FOR MEETING ON TUESDAY 16 JUNE pm: Room Q Minutes (a) Draft minutes of 9 June 2009 (attached) (b) Matters arising 2. Future Business Programme (PB/S3/09/107) Procedural motions 3. Scottish Statutory Instruments (PB/S3/09/108) Legislation (a) Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 timetable (PB/S3/09/109) (b) Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill extension to Stage 1 timetable (PB/S3/09/110) (c) (d) (e) Legislative Consent Memorandum Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Bill (PB/S3/09/111) Proposed Limit on Trans Fat (Scotland) Bill referral of draft proposal (PB/S3/09/112) Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 referral (PB/S3/09/112A) 4. Removal of motions from the Business Bulletin (PB/S3/09/113) 5. Publication scheme consideration of any exempt papers 6. Date of next meeting Tuesday 23 June 2009

2 PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU POSSIBLE MOTIONS FOR MEMBERS BUSINESS 1. Bureau Members will be aware that under Rule 5.6.1(c) the Bureau has a duty to ensure that there is a period of time available for Members Business following Decision Time. 2. Motions submitted for Members Business are shown below. S3M-4325# Elaine Murray: Shark Tagging in the Solway That the Parliament is concerned about the depletion of shark, ray and skate species in Scottish waters; welcomes the Scottish Shark Tagging Programme, organised by the Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network; notes that tagging, which is a non-destructive method of gathering data, will assist understanding of species migration, growth rates and populations, and welcomes the shark tagging event in the Solway between 12 and 14 June 2009, which is expected to involve the participation of 400 rods and to generate around 60,000 to the local economy. Supported by: Jamie Hepburn, Karen Whitefield, Helen Eadie, Kenneth Gibson, Ken Macintosh, Bill Kidd, Mike Pringle, David Whitton, Trish Godman, Christine Grahame, Joe FitzPatrick, Marlyn Glen, Hugh Henry, Robin Harper, Irene Oldfather* S3M-4282# Rhoda Grant: Giving Blood, Giving the Gift of Life That the Parliament notes with concern the decline in the number of blood donors in Scotland, a number that has decreased by 30,000 in the last decade; further notes that in the Highlands alone, the service requires 23,000 donors to give blood in 2009; supports the appeal by the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service for donors to give blood at least once in 2009 to reverse the decline in the donor base; believes that there would be benefit in employers giving their staff paid time off to donate blood, and hopes that Scots who have not already done so will register to give blood and give the gift of life. Supported by: Peter Peacock, David Stewart, Robin Harper, Elaine Murray, Mary Mulligan, Mr Frank McAveety, Ian McKee, Ms Wendy Alexander, Patricia Ferguson, Sarah Boyack, James Kelly, Ken Macintosh, Rhona Brankin, David Whitton, Kenneth Gibson, Helen Eadie, Dr Richard Simpson, Jackie Baillie, Jim Tolson, Bill Kidd, Brian Adam, Cathy Peattie, Stuart McMillan, Trish Godman, Cathy Jamieson, Alison McInnes, Marilyn Livingstone, Jack McConnell, Karen Whitefield, Irene Oldfather* S3M # Liam McArthur: Giving Blood, Giving the Gift of Life As an amendment to motion (S3M-4282) in the name of Rhoda Grant, after base insert ; congratulates the 500 or so volunteers who supported the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service s pilot scheme in Orkney at the end of May and urges the service now to commit to providing regular opportunities for those in Orkney to donate blood. Supported by: Rhoda Grant* S3M-4280# Trish Godman: Job Losses, Profits and Subsidies at Hewlett-Packard, Erskine That the Parliament deplores and deeply regrets the short-sighted decision of the management of Hewlett-Packard to dismiss 843 employees at their Erskine site in order to outsource their jobs to plants in the Czech Republic; is well aware of the company s profits of 5.2 billion in 2008 and of the substantial public funds given to the company based on assurances offered by company representatives in the past; views with scepticism the claim made by management that the remaining jobs at the Renfrewshire plant are comparatively safe; believes that the interests of shareholders will always swamp the needs and expectations of loyal and hard-working employees, and hopes that the dreadful consequences of this decision can be avoided. 1

3 Supported by: Cathy Peattie, Mary Mulligan, Bill Wilson, Stuart McMillan, Elaine Murray, Bill Butler, Dr Richard Simpson, Sandra White, Karen Gillon, James Kelly, Marlyn Glen, Pauline McNeill, Robin Harper, Kenneth Gibson, Sarah Boyack, Jackie Baillie, David Whitton, Des McNulty, Helen Eadie, Ross Finnie, Karen Whitefield, Ken Macintosh, Jamie Hepburn, Rhoda Grant, Marilyn Livingstone, Hugh Henry S3M-4278# Sandra White: Congratulations to Glasgow Central and West Local Champions That the Parliament congratulates all who took part in the seventh Glasgow Community Awards event in Partick Burgh Halls on 28 May 2009; further congratulates Radio Lollipop, based in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill, for winning the Community Team Award, Margaret Khan from Garnethill for winning the Community Individual Award, John Campbell from Hillhead School for winning the Community Public Service Individual Award, Betty Dougan from Townhead for winning the Community Neighbour Award, Glasgow Old People s Welfare Association (GOPWA) for winning the Community Service Team Award and Youth Voices for winning the Community Young People s Award; pays tribute to all who took part; recognises that their actions prove that community spirit is alive and well in Glasgow, and looks forward to the Gala Final later this year. Supported by: Bill Kidd, Rob Gibson, Kenneth Gibson, Alasdair Allan, Stuart McMillan, Gil Paterson, Bob Doris, Jamie Hepburn, Michael Matheson S3M-4269# Elaine Murray: Wildlife Week, 6 to 14 June 2009 That the Parliament commends the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) for organising Wildlife Week, 6 to 14 June 2009; notes that there are over 230 events and activities taking place throughout Scotland, including the celebration of peatlands, woodlands and marine environments in Dumfries and Galloway, and appreciates the efforts by SWT, its sister charities and non-governmental organisations in Scotland in raising public awareness of the richness of Scotland s natural environment and the need to preserve and enhance habitats to conserve Scotland s wildlife and ensure that future generations can also enjoy its diversity. Supported by: Kenneth Gibson, Marlyn Glen, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Bill Butler, Dr Richard Simpson, Pauline McNeill, Mike Pringle, Bill Kidd, Mary Mulligan, Karen Gillon, Patrick Harvie, Liam McArthur, Jim Tolson, Ms Wendy Alexander, Nanette Milne, Christine Grahame, Robin Harper, Jackie Baillie, Karen Whitefield, Patricia Ferguson, Des McNulty, Alison McInnes, Sarah Boyack, Cathy Peattie, Gil Paterson, Stuart McMillan, Jamie Hepburn, Rhoda Grant, Peter Peacock, Marilyn Livingstone, Ken Macintosh, Jack McConnell S3M-4268# Stuart McMillan: Don t Jeopardise 126 Years of Cultural Heritage That the Parliament notes with concern that the future of the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band has been put in jeopardy; notes that the pipe band, whose origins date back to 1883, was set up by public request and was endorsed by an Act of Parliament; acknowledges that the pipe band enhances the reputation and prestige of Strathclyde Police worldwide while also playing a significant role in community engagement at local level; further notes that the band has been a regular feature at the five major events of the pipe band calendar, namely the Scottish, British, European and world championships, as well as the Cowal Highland Gathering; notes the lack of investment in Strathclyde Police Pipe Band, and wishes to ensure that the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band continues and that 126 years of cultural heritage are not jeopardised. Supported by: John Wilson, Rob Gibson, Robin Harper, Kenneth Gibson, Alasdair Allan, Jackie Baillie, Sandra White, Hugh O Donnell, Bob Doris, Ross Finnie, Michael Matheson, Gil Paterson, Bill Kidd, Jamie Hepburn S3M-4267# Trish Godman: Erskine Week, Supporting Veterans That the Parliament supports Erskine Week, from 1 to 8 June 2009, organised by Erskine, the charity that cares for ex-servicemen and women throughout Scotland; congratulates all those who are taking part to raise money for the charity; notes that Erskine Week aims to get people of all ages involved to raise awareness and funds to help Erskine provide the very high standards of care that Scotland s veterans so eminently deserve; offers congratulations to Colonel Martin Gibson, the outgoing chief executive of Erskine, who retires on 8 June, for all his hard work and dedication; and wishes him well in all his future endeavours; wishes to ensure that the 2

4 care, treatment and rehabilitation of ex-servicemen and women is given the highest priority, and further notes that the world would be a very different place without the dedication and courage of veterans, such as those in the care of Erskine Home in West Renfrewshire. Supported by: Hugh Henry, Dr Richard Simpson, Ken Macintosh, Jackie Baillie, Helen Eadie, Cathy Jamieson, Bill Butler, Robin Harper, Kenneth Gibson, Jackson Carlaw, David Whitton, Karen Whitefield, Nanette Milne, Elizabeth Smith, Johann Lamont, Alasdair Allan, Ms Wendy Alexander, Elaine Murray, Mary Mulligan, Jamie McGrigor, Margaret Mitchell, Bill Kidd, Sarah Boyack, Gil Paterson, Stuart McMillan, Jamie Hepburn, Marilyn Livingstone, Annabel Goldie, Jack McConnell, Michael Matheson S3M-4261# Trish Godman: Credit Unions Versus Loan Sharks That the Parliament is aware of the infamous activity of loan sharks in today s difficult economic circumstances; deplores their squalid and parasitical focusing on those without work and other citizens on low incomes; believes that measures must be taken to defeat these parasites; is convinced that an expanding credit-union movement, with the appropriate local and national support, is the most effective antidote to this obnoxious practice, especially in communities characterised by deprivation and disadvantage; praises the fine work performed in such areas by Port Glasgow Credit Union and Renfrewshire Credit Union, and believes that all of those organisations and agencies that have the wherewithal could constructively support our credit unions. Supported by: Mr Frank McAveety, David Stewart, Sandra White, Pauline McNeill, Jackie Baillie, David Whitton, Des McNulty, John Park, Cathy Jamieson, Hugh O Donnell, Patrick Harvie, Stuart McMillan, Dr Richard Simpson, Bill Butler, Cathie Craigie, Helen Eadie, Kenneth Gibson, Marlyn Glen, Robin Harper, Hugh Henry, Johann Lamont, Ken Macintosh, Dave Thompson, Karen Whitefield, Charlie Gordon, Margaret Curran, Patricia Ferguson, Sarah Boyack, Lewis Macdonald, Cathy Peattie, Gil Paterson, Bill Kidd, Christine Grahame, Elaine Smith, Rhoda Grant, Marilyn Livingstone S3M-4211# Bill Kidd: Shine on Scotland That the Parliament commends Ryan McLaughlin, a 14-year-old young man from Glasgow, on his Shine on Scotland campaign and accompanying e-petition, which seeks to raise public awareness about the benefits of vitamin D in relation to multiple sclerosis (MS), seeks clarification on Scottish Government advice on the recommended daily allowance of vitamin D for children, adults and pregnant women and plans to ensure that these levels are delivered to each of these groups; notes that Ryan developed this campaign after his mother, a former Scottish taekwondo champion, developed MS in her thirties, and welcomes Ryan when he comes to the Parliament, leading 500 children on a march, to lodge his petition on 16 June Supported by: Jackie Baillie, Aileen Campbell, Bob Doris, Jamie Hepburn, Alasdair Allan, Stuart McMillan, Pauline McNeill, Anne McLaughlin, Elaine Smith, Bill Butler, Christine Grahame, Christina McKelvie, Kenneth Gibson, Sandra White, Robert Brown, Gil Paterson, Joe FitzPatrick, Karen Gillon, Dave Thompson, Robin Harper, Michael Matheson S3M-4169# James Kelly: Social Accounting Pilot Project That the Parliament congratulates Co-operative Development Scotland on raising awareness of the practice of social accounting following a flagship pilot project with the Social Audit Network to introduce social accounting to six co-operative and social enterprises in Scotland; commends the contribution to the project played by Highland Home Carers, Highland Wholefoods, Loch Fyne Oysters, Scotwest Credit Union, West Whitlawburn Housing Co-operative and the Wise Group, and believes that organisations that can demonstrate their wider social impact beyond financial performance will gain a competitive edge and ensure that co-operatives, social enterprises and voluntary organisations thriving in Scotland contribute to economic growth. Supported by: Jamie Hepburn, Hugh O Donnell, Jackie Baillie, Ken Macintosh, Dr Richard Simpson, Elaine Murray, Kenneth Gibson, Mary Scanlon, Stuart McMillan, Sarah Boyack, Rhoda Grant, David Whitton, Mary Mulligan, Hugh Henry, Marlyn Glen, Mr Frank McAveety, Bill Butler, Gil Paterson, Sandra White, Bill Wilson, Patricia Ferguson, Karen Whitefield, Robin Harper, John Park, Cathy Jamieson, Cathy Peattie 3

5 S3M-4110# Ted Brocklebank: New Secondary School for North East Fife That the Parliament believes that the children, parents and communities of Tay Bridgehead in north east Fife require a new secondary school and community facility in addition to the proposed single site at Madras College; highlights that the campaign for a new Tay Bridgehead school has been ongoing for more than half a century; considers, in light of recent leaked figures, that the proposed new Madras College will not be big enough to accommodate all the pupils, including those from the Tay Bridgehead area; notes that currently around 850 pupils from the Tay Bridgehead and Leuchars area have to be bussed to school and that this has affected their education and involvement in school activities, as has been the case for generations; congratulates The Courier, Fife Herald and St Andrews Citizen Newspaper for highlighting the growing public support for a Tay Bridgehead school, and supports all those involved in the campaign. Supported by: Jamie McGrigor, Bill Aitken, Nanette Milne, Murdo Fraser, Elizabeth Smith, John Lamont, Margaret Mitchell, Robin Harper S3M-4109# Willie Coffey: Scotch Whisky Exports Exceed 3 Billion That the Parliament welcomes the news that in 2008 Scotch whisky exports exceeded 3 billion for the first time, an increase of 8% from 2007; recognises the significant export performance of Kilmarnockbased Johnnie Walker, the world s leading Scotch whisky, with production of over 145 million litres in 2008; highlights the importance of Scotch whisky in the life of Kilmarnock and Scotland, including as an important employer, a major source of exports and a significant source of government revenues; recognises the significant steps that have been taken to improve the industry s carbon footprint through heat-recovery systems, reducing the amount of energy used per litre and investing in lightweight glass technology; acknowledges the need for an effective regulatory and fiscal regime for all alcohol products to tackle excess consumption; welcomes wide-ranging contributions to this debate, including those from the Scotch Whisky Association, trade unions and advisory agencies; considers that the removal of incentives for marketing strong beers and ciders and fortified wines would be beneficial, and expresses strong support for ending the unfair treatment of Scotch whisky. Supported by: Jamie Hepburn, Rob Gibson, Alasdair Allan, Bob Doris, John Wilson, Kenneth Gibson, Bill Kidd, Jack McConnell, Gil Paterson, Stuart McMillan S3M-4106# Dr Richard Simpson: Overnight Freight Trains to Longannet That the Parliament recognises the serious problems being experienced by residents in the Riverside, Broomridge and Braehead areas of Stirling, Clackmannanshire, Kincardine and Larbert as a result of heavy coal freight trains being introduced on the railway line; understands that this is having a damaging effect on the quality of life of local residents, many of whom lived comfortably in proximity to this busy line until the introduction of the coal trains; notes that Network Rail has stated that it will examine the noise and vibration test data being made available to it by Clackmannanshire and Falkirk councils respectively; regrets that Stirling Council has so far not undertaken similar studies; welcomes the efforts by Network Rail to tackle line and signalling problems at hot spots along the line, and considers that, notwithstanding the vital importance of transporting coal to Longannet for Scotland s energy needs, residents in these areas would welcome a reduction in the environmental impact of these trains. Supported by: Mr Frank McAveety, Bill Butler, Mary Mulligan, John Park, Claire Baker, Des McNulty S3M-4083# Mary Mulligan: Operation Focus That the Parliament congratulates the commander, officers and staff of F Division of Lothian and Borders Police, the wider Lothian and Borders force and its community partners for the outstanding success of Operation Focus, which targeted drug dealers in West Lothian; notes that the outcomes to date of Operation Focus include 63 arrests as a consequence of police raids, the seizure of dangerous drugs and police officers addressing over 10,000 secondary school pupils in the affected communities with anti-drugs messages that resulted in spontaneous applause from the students; joins with the people of West Lothian in commending Chief Superintendent Ronnie Liddle and all his team in West Lothian for the strong action that they have taken 4

6 against those who seek to profit from the misery of drug dealing in our communities, and restates the belief that there is no place for drugs or drug dealers on Scotland s streets. Supported by: Karen Whitefield, Angela Constance S3M-4063# Mr Frank McAveety: Supporting the Living Wage for Scotland That the Parliament welcomes the launch of the Scottish Living Wage Employer Awards being held in Dalmarnock; regrets the fact that there are around 700,000 workers in Scotland, the majority of them women, earning less than the Scottish living wage of 7.00 per hour; is aware that low pay can lock people into poverty and can be damaging for individuals, families, businesses, communities and the wider economy, and recognises the importance of encouraging employers in the public, private and voluntary sectors to ensure that all low-paid workers are paid no less than the Scottish living wage of 7.00 per hour. Supported by: Hugh Henry, Karen Whitefield, Marlyn Glen, Mike Pringle, Robin Harper, Jackie Baillie, Patricia Ferguson, James Kelly, Robert Brown, Marilyn Livingstone, Patrick Harvie, Duncan McNeil, Margaret Curran, Ken Macintosh, Dr Richard Simpson, John Park, Malcolm Chisholm, George Foulkes, David Whitton, Des McNulty, Cathy Peattie S3M-4047# John Lamont: Dispensing GP Practices in Rural Communities That the Parliament recognises the important role of dispensing GP practices in remote and rural communities across Scotland; acknowledges the high level of patient satisfaction with these practices; is concerned about the process of the community pharmacy application in Chirnside, which has failed to properly involve the affected GPs or take account of the views of the local population; is aware of the current inquiry on dispensing under consideration by the Public Petitions Committee, and therefore welcomes the British Medical Association s calls for the pharmacy regulations to be reviewed. Supported by: Bill Aitken, Jamie McGrigor, Elizabeth Smith, Nanette Milne, Margaret Mitchell, Annabel Goldie, Liam McArthur, Ted Brocklebank, James Kelly, Mary Scanlon, Derek Brownlee, Jim Hume, David Stewart, Rhoda Grant, Peter Peacock, John Farquhar Munro S3M # Dr Richard Simpson: Dispensing GP Practices in Rural Communities As an amendment to motion (S3M-4047) in the name of John Lamont, leave out from acknowledges to end and insert recognises the integral role that dispensing plays in the structure and function of many dispensing practices; notes the stated intention of the Scottish Government to review the provision of the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations (1995) in respect of public consultation, and more generally calls for the whole process to be reviewed to include requirements to (a) notify any dispensing practice that may be affected, (b) ensure that the patients served by such practices and the communities are fully consulted, (c) include an independent evaluation on the effects upon the stability and service provisions by that practice, (d) ensure that any determination by the appropriate committee on any application should take into account the effects upon practices affected and (e) ensure that the practice itself, not just the area medical committee, is able to make representations to the board committee determining applications for pharmacy services. S3M-4041# Anne McLaughlin: Time to End Sri Lankan War, Time for Humanitarian Concerns to Take a Priority That the Parliament welcomes the fact that the United Nations, European Union and other international institutions are calling for an immediate ceasefire in Sri Lanka between government forces and the Tamil Tigers; considers it vital that humanitarian assistance is able to reach the hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians who are suffering as a result of the conflict without adequate shelter, food and medicine; recognises that the Tamil community in Scotland, the vast majority of whom live in Glasgow, are desperately worried about relatives in the conflict zone with whom contact is restricted if existent at all; supports the international community in doing more to put pressure on both sides in the conflict to lay down arms and create humanitarian corridors for safe passage of aid; also considers that the vast majority of people of Sri Lanka do not want this war, and believes that, after 26 years of brutal conflict and more than 70,000 deaths, it is now time for the voices of those people to be heard and for them to be able to live in peace. 5

7 Supported by: Aileen Campbell, Bob Doris, Christopher Harvie, Hugh O Donnell, Stuart McMillan, Bill Wilson, Mike Pringle, Rob Gibson, Christina McKelvie, Joe FitzPatrick, Shirley- Anne Somerville, Michael Matheson, Bill Kidd, Robin Harper, Jamie Hepburn, Pauline McNeill, Jackie Baillie S3M-4032# Jim Tolson: Rights of Former Gurkha Soldiers That the Parliament welcomes the victory for the rights of Gurkha soldiers achieved in the Commons defeat on 29 April 2009 when MPs voted by 267 to 246 for a Liberal Democrat motion offering all Gurkhas equal right of residence in Britain; believes that this is a historic victory for the Gurkhas who have served the United Kingdom so bravely; notes the widespread opposition to the UK Government s proposed guidelines, which are considered to permit only a small minority of Gurkhas and their families to settle while preventing the vast majority to do so; believes that the UK Government s decision fails to recognise the long history of dedicated service by Gurkha soldiers; welcomes the support for justice for the Gurkha soldiers by former Gurkha officer, Major Bill MacKay of Dunfermline; commends the 70 years of continuous service given by Sergeant Sunar Gurung, who served with Major MacKay, and Sergeant Gurung s six sons who all served with the Gurkha regiment, and believes that such service should be recognised. Supported by: Margaret Smith, Mike Pringle, Nanette Milne, Mike Rumbles, Ross Finnie, Bill Kidd, Robert Brown, Liam McArthur, Robin Harper, Hugh O Donnell, Alison McInnes S3M-4013# Cathy Peattie: The Falkirk Herald That the Parliament congratulates the management, staff and readers of The Falkirk Herald, Scotland s biggest selling weekly, on the paper being crowned at the 30th Scottish Press Awards as the best weekly newspaper in Scotland for the second year in a row. Supported by: Jamie Hepburn, Michael Matheson, Jackie Baillie, Margaret Mitchell, Bill Butler, Patrick Harvie, Patricia Ferguson, James Kelly, Jamie McGrigor, Mary Mulligan, Hugh O Donnell, Marilyn Livingstone, Hugh Henry, Sarah Boyack, George Foulkes, Karen Whitefield, Stuart McMillan S3M-4003# Dave Thompson: Supporting Our Local Newspaper Industry That the Parliament notes Local Newspaper Week, 11 to 17 May 2009, and recognises the crucial role played by Scotland s local newspapers in providing a news service to their local communities; particularly notes the work of northern papers, including The Inverness Courier, Highland News, North Star, The Northern Scot, Ross-shire Journal and West Highland Free Press, which serve, at times, a scattered and remote population; further notes the benefits to community engagement and the democratic process of the traditional local newspaper industry; acknowledges the increased pressures faced by the local newspaper industry due to falling circulation, loss of advertising revenue and increased competition from internet-based services, and considers that printed newspapers have served for centuries as a source of information on community affairs. Supported by: Jamie Hepburn, Ken Macintosh, Pauline McNeill, Stuart McMillan, Bob Doris, Maureen Watt, Rob Gibson, Kenneth Gibson, Christine Grahame, Bill Kidd, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Gil Paterson, Ted Brocklebank, Christina McKelvie, Robin Harper S3M-3986# Angela Constance: Forgotten in Life and Forgotten in Death That the Parliament expresses it deepest sympathy and its support for the memorial to those former patients of Bangour Village Hospital who were buried in unmarked graves in the Livingston parliamentary constituency; commends and applauds the dedication shown by Mrs Catherine Ferguson in discovering and researching this tragedy in the constituency thereby producing a significant piece of social and historical research; endorses and supports the sympathetic response by West Lothian Council in assisting Mrs Ferguson with her research and in erecting memorial stones at Ecclesmachen Cemetery, Uphall Old Cemetery and Loaninghill Cemetery in Uphall, and acknowledges the memory of all patients buried in unmarked graves across Scotland. Supported by: Elaine Smith, Stuart McMillan, Rob Gibson, Kenneth Gibson, Christine Grahame, Ross Finnie, Jamie Hepburn, Bill Kidd, Aileen Campbell, Christina McKelvie, Ian 6

8 McKee, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Gil Paterson, Dr Richard Simpson, Robin Harper, Bob Doris, Sandra White, Hugh Henry, Mary Scanlon, Margo MacDonald, Michael Matheson S3M-3979# Cathy Peattie: Local Newspaper Week 2009 That the Parliament notes that 11 to 17 May 2009 is Local Newspaper Week, which has the theme of building stronger communities, highlighting the important roles played by the 120-plus weekly, bi-weekly, paidfor and free newspapers that serve local people and businesses throughout Scotland s cities, towns and villages; acknowledges the local press as Scotland s most socially inclusive local mass communication medium; applauds the significant investment made by publishers to deliver to an increasingly digital agenda and increase their digital audience; notes that members of the Scottish Newspaper Publishers Association are facing the most severe crisis in revenue generation and profitability in living memory, attributable to the long-term decline in paid-for newspaper circulations, the emergence of advertising-dependent internet services and the loss of recruitment advertising and licensing revenue to initiatives such as myjobscotland, developed under the auspices of the Scottish Government s Local Government National Shared Services Board and led by COSLA, and is extremely concerned about the collateral damage to the democratic process and to the local newspaper industry that would result from the proposed introduction of a publicly funded web portal for the publication of public information notices. Supported by: Dr Richard Simpson, Robin Harper, Bill Butler, Ms Wendy Alexander, Marlyn Glen, Helen Eadie, Jackie Baillie, Patricia Ferguson, Cathy Jamieson, Hugh O Donnell, Liam McArthur, Elaine Murray, James Kelly, Rhoda Grant, Jim Hume, Hugh Henry, Pauline McNeill, David Whitton, Ted Brocklebank, Ken Macintosh, Rhona Brankin, John Park S3M-3978# Irene Oldfather: Dementia Awareness Week That the Parliament acknowledges that Dementia Awareness Week 2009 takes place from 31 May to 7 June; is aware that Alzheimer Scotland estimates that in 2009 there are 67,000 people with dementia in Scotland, including 1,640 people under the age of 65; notes that this number is expected to rise to 114,000 by 2031; acknowledges that it is disappointing to note that Dementia Awareness Week follows a year in which a number of highly critical reports have highlighted the inefficiencies and failures in the quality of care of people with dementia in the community, in care homes and in long-term hospital care; notes the recent Care Commission report, Better care, every step of the way, which reflects the findings of 1,036 inspections and three investigations that found that 43% of homes did not realise that they were to deliver palliative and end-of-life care for people with life-limiting illnesses such as dementia; further notes the recent Care Commission report, Gradings So Far, which has shown significant variations in the quality of care received by elderly people in care homes when compared to other groups; considers that the poor quality of care at home services revealed in a recent Panorama investigation is simply unacceptable and particularly harmful to those people with dementia who may not be able to speak out for themselves; therefore supports the work of the Cross Party Group on Alzheimer s, which calls for a Charter of Rights for people with dementia; further welcomes the decision by Alzheimer Scotland, in supporting this initiative, to host a series of roadshows across Scotland in June 2009, starting in Irvine on Friday 5 June, to consult people with dementia, their carers and other stakeholders on the content of a Charter of Rights; notes that the Charter of Rights seeks to ensure that individuals and their families have a clear set of rights from diagnosis through to end of life, and therefore considers that a fundamental culture change in care services would help ensure the highest quality of service provision to people with dementia. Supported by: Jamie Hepburn, Helen Eadie, Malcolm Chisholm, Michael McMahon, Cathy Jamieson, Karen Gillon, John Park, Mike Pringle, Robin Harper, David Whitton, Mary Scanlon, Hugh O Donnell, Liam McArthur, Marlyn Glen, Mary Mulligan, Elaine Smith, Elaine Murray, Jackie Baillie, Ross Finnie, Claire Baker, Bill Butler, Robert Brown, Karen Whitefield, Ken Macintosh, Stuart McMillan, James Kelly, Tom McCabe, Trish Godman, Rhoda Grant, Cathie Craigie, Dr Richard Simpson, Patricia Ferguson, Alison McInnes, Peter Peacock, Mike Rumbles, Sarah Boyack, Richard Baker S3M-3969# Bob Doris: Partick Thistle Community Engagement Programme, Preparing for Glasgow 2014 That the Parliament commends the work of the Partick Thistle Football Club community engagement programme and recognises the value that this service provides 7

9 to vulnerable and socially excluded groups in Glasgow; believes that football clubs have enormous potential for bringing together third sector organisations for the purposes of improving the nation s health and wellbeing and that, while health improvements can be inspired through the popular medium of football, individual clubs can also secure their longterm sustainability by increasing community participation; notes that community engagement and enhancing partnerships are two of the five core principles of the Scottish Government 2014 Commonwealth Games legacy plan, and considers that Partick Thistle s programme is a fine example of good practice in this area that supports efforts to steer the nation towards healthier living ahead of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in Supported by: Rob Gibson, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Kenneth Gibson, Robert Brown, Bill Wilson, Sandra White, Aileen Campbell, Alasdair Allan, Ken Macintosh, Jamie McGrigor, Jackie Baillie, Stuart McMillan, Bill Aitken, Jamie Hepburn S3M-3930# Ross Finnie: Proposed Multi-fuel Power Station at Hunterston That the Parliament notes the application by Ayrshire Power Limited to the Scottish Government for permission, under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 and deemed consent under section 57 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, to construct a multi-fuel power station at Hunterston Port, Fairlie in North Ayrshire; further notes that it is proposed that the facility would be fuelled by coal and potentially up to 15% biomass to produce up to 1,600mw of electricity per annum and would be carbon capture ready, which means that, while the facility would be designed to incorporate carbon capture and storage, it would not be installed until the technology had been shown to be technically and commercially viable, and considers that it would be beneficial if the power station operated carbon capture and storage from the outset or was able to meet an equivalent emissions performance standard by other means. Supported by: Hugh O Donnell, Robert Brown, Mike Pringle, Jim Hume, Iain Smith, Alison McInnes, Liam McArthur, Jim Tolson, Marilyn Livingstone S3M-3893# Christina McKelvie: Supporting Social Work That the Parliament supports the awareness raising campaign, Social Work Changes Lives, which was launched by the Association of Directors of Social Work, the Scottish Social Services Council and the Association of Social Care Communicators on 1 April 2009; recognises the burdens that social workers carry; agrees that it is important to promote a positive image of social work acknowledging the huge variety of tasks that social work and social care staff undertake to support vulnerable people in central Scotland region and right across the country; believes that most people will come into contact with social work services at some point in their lives, whether they are receiving a service or are involved in arranging a service for others, and therefore believes that it is vitally important that social work services are well understood and valued by society. Supported by: Jamie Hepburn, Joe FitzPatrick, Bill Kidd, Kenneth Gibson, Patrick Harvie, Rob Gibson, Alasdair Allan, Dr Richard Simpson, Anne McLaughlin, Hugh O Donnell, Stuart McMillan, Robin Harper, Aileen Campbell, Gil Paterson, John Lamont, Ken Macintosh, Angela Constance, Liam McArthur, Willie Coffey, Nigel Don, Elaine Murray, Alasdair Morgan, Irene Oldfather, Jeremy Purvis, Jim Tolson, Richard Baker S3M-3878# Bob Doris: Peaceful Protest at Wyndford and St Gregory s That the Parliament commends the courage and determination of the parents at Wyndford and St Gregory s primary schools in Maryhill who are currently involved in a peaceful protest at both schools by occupying them over the Easter school holidays to draw attention to the threat of closure that they face; believes that there is a powerful case to maintain schooling in the Wyndford estate as well as in other local communities across Glasgow, and considers that each school that is saved from closure will not signify defeat for Glasgow City Council but rather a victory for parents and communities and for effective local democracy. Supported by: Alasdair Allan, Anne McLaughlin, Jamie Hepburn, Bill Kidd, Christopher Harvie, Aileen Campbell, Stuart McMillan, Patricia Ferguson, Bill Butler, Robert Brown S3M-3870# Karen Whitefield: Bookstart Rhymetimes That the Parliament congratulates all those involved in delivering the Bookstart Rhymetimes programme across Scotland, 8

10 including North Lanarkshire Council library staff, for the excellent work that they are carrying out in taking music and books to the heart of the parent and child relationship; recognises the significant benefits that this approach can deliver in terms of speech and language development and parent and child bonding; further recognises that research shows that babies and toddlers who are introduced to books at an early stage begin reading sooner and have a better chance at school, and looks forward to the continued success of this programme. Supported by: Jamie Hepburn, Cathy Peattie, Bill Butler, Cathy Jamieson, Kenneth Gibson, Helen Eadie, Jackie Baillie, Dr Richard Simpson, Mary Mulligan, Robin Harper, Bill Kidd, Elaine Smith, Patricia Ferguson, Marilyn Livingstone, Liam McArthur, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Jack McConnell, Malcolm Chisholm, Trish Godman, Hugh Henry, Gil Paterson, Sarah Boyack, Stuart McMillan S3M-3825# Shirley-Anne Somerville: Edinburgh Polish Festival That the Parliament welcomes the Polish Cultural Festival that will take place from 20 to 26 April 2009 in Edinburgh; notes that this week-long celebration aims to present the best of Polish culture in Scotland and is a chance to show Edinburgh residents a culture that is a vibrant part of today s Scotland; applauds the commitment of the hard-working team of volunteers from the Polish community who put together the varied programme of events, which ranges from traditional music and dance to film and visual arts; notes that the festival website and full programme details can be found at and wishes the organisers every success in their aim to bring Edinburgh s diverse cultural communities together. Supported by: Malcolm Chisholm, Jack McConnell, Jamie Hepburn, Michael Matheson, Bill Kidd, Mike Pringle, Patricia Ferguson, Kenneth Gibson, Rob Gibson, Robin Harper, Bob Doris, Stuart McMillan, David Stewart, Jim Tolson, Alasdair Morgan, Dr Richard Simpson, Aileen Campbell, Joe FitzPatrick, Karen Whitefield S3M-3819# Stuart McMillan: Boundary Proposals That the Parliament notes with concern the proposed boundary change that would relocate the Princes Gate development in Bishopbriggs from the local authority area of East Dunbartonshire to the city of Glasgow; understands that residents were not aware of any such proposal when purchasing their homes; recognises the anxiety and anger of some residents who specifically chose to purchase homes in Bishopbriggs and for whom the proposal would mean the severing of community links, jeopardising their access to amenities and potentially considerable financial loss; notes also that the proposal would see the loss of a much-needed affordable housing site from East Dunbartonshire to the city of Glasgow; wishes the residents every success in working with East Dunbartonshire Council to resist the proposal, and recognises the importance to the residents of staying within the area and maintaining their community links. Supported by: David Whitton, Bill Wilson, Kenneth Gibson, Gil Paterson, Jackson Carlaw, Annabel Goldie, Stewart Maxwell S3M-3762# Margaret Curran: St Bridget s Chapel and the Mary s Meals Backpack Project That the Parliament endorses the work of the Mary s Meals international movement and in particular the group working from St Bridget s Chapel in Baillieston; commends the initiative, which is helping to feed over 350,000 children in poor areas of the globe on a daily basis, encouraging hungry children to attend school to be fed and, through education, gain a better future for themselves and their communities; expresses great pride in the fact that Mary s Meals is based in Glasgow and administers volunteers and feeding programmes in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe, and recognises the hard work of the volunteers at St Bridget s who participate in the Backpack Project, providing deprived children across five continents with school bags and school essentials donated by local community members. Supported by: Jack McConnell, Elaine Murray, Mary Mulligan, Helen Eadie, Bob Doris, Alasdair Allan, Kenneth Gibson, Hugh O Donnell, Mr Frank McAveety, Anne McLaughlin, Robin Harper, Michael McMahon, Pauline McNeill, Hugh Henry, Sandra White, Bill Kidd, 9

11 Stuart McMillan, David Whitton, Trish Godman, Patricia Ferguson, Gil Paterson, Karen Whitefield, James Kelly, Ken Macintosh, Sarah Boyack, David Stewart, Marilyn Livingstone S3M-3699# Nigel Don: Retained Firefighters and the Working Time Directive That the Parliament believes that retained firefighters provide an invaluable service to communities across Scotland, particularly those in remote and rural areas, such as the north east and Highlands and Islands; believes that setting a 48-hour maximum to the working week as currently proposed in relation to retained firefighters could greatly reduce the hours for which they would be available for duty, to the detriment of fire services in many remote and rural communities; recognises the concerns raised by the Retained Firefighters Union in relation to the recent European Parliament vote to end the UK opt-out to the EU working time directive; agrees with the STUC and Fire Brigades Union that, as the issue is now subject to negotiations at European level, there is no immediate threat to fire provision, and hopes that the mature and responsible joint efforts by the Scottish and UK governments will ensure that any future changes to the EU working time directive ensure the flexibility required to allow the continuation of retained firefighters and the protection of workers rights. Supported by: Alasdair Allan, Kenneth Gibson, Brian Adam, Rob Gibson, Joe FitzPatrick, Christine Grahame, Bill Kidd, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Angela Constance, Jim Tolson, Michael Matheson, Bob Doris, Sandra White, Gil Paterson, Dave Thompson, Maureen Watt, Stuart McMillan S3M-3692# Mary Scanlon: International Midwives Day, 5 May 2009 That the Parliament notes that 5 May is International Midwives Day 2009; welcomes the contribution that midwives make to the health and wellbeing of women and their babies in Scotland and around the world; recognises that levels of maternal and infant mortality, especially in the developing world, are unacceptable; believes that achieving UN Millennium Development Goal 4 (Reduce child mortality) and Goal 5 (Improve maternal health) would amount to a giant leap for better maternal and infant health globally; acknowledges that more can always be done in Scotland to reduce our own levels of maternal and infant mortality, especially in remote and rural areas; supports greater international action to reduce maternal and infant deaths globally, and strives to provide ever-safer care for Scotland s own women and children. Supported by: Jackie Baillie, Jamie McGrigor, Bill Aitken, Rob Gibson, Nanette Milne, Shirley- Anne Somerville, Brian Adam, John Lamont, John Scott, Murdo Fraser, Bill Kidd, Bill Butler, Patrick Harvie, David McLetchie, Elizabeth Smith, Robin Harper, Kenneth Gibson, Dr Richard Simpson, Jackson Carlaw, Elaine Smith, Elaine Murray, Cathy Peattie, Jamie Hepburn, Angela Constance, Alison McInnes, Ken Macintosh, Margaret Mitchell, David Stewart, Trish Godman, Irene Oldfather, Des McNulty, Tom McCabe, Annabel Goldie, Rhoda Grant, Joe FitzPatrick, Jack McConnell, Karen Whitefield, Gil Paterson, Stuart McMillan S3M-3626# Johann Lamont: Credit Unions, Pioneering Roles in the Community That the Parliament notes the important role of credit unions within the Glasgow Pollok constituency, across Glasgow and throughout Scotland; in particular, congratulates Pollok Credit Union on its unique and pioneering decision to set up an enterprise trust to take over the running of Pollok Post Office, manage a daycare nursery and offer a budgeting service to those with multiple debt problems, thereby securing jobs and services in the local community and beyond; recognises the real opportunity that these partnerships can provide in offering financial services and money advice to communities feeling the impact of economic recession, and considers that all possible ways by which further such enterprises can be encouraged should be explored. Supported by: Sarah Boyack, Jamie Hepburn, Helen Eadie, Cathy Jamieson, Rhona Brankin, Elaine Murray, David Whitton, James Kelly, Kenneth Gibson, Charlie Gordon, Bob Doris, Bill Butler, Claire Baker, Bill Kidd, Marilyn Livingstone, Mary Mulligan, Marlyn Glen, Malcolm Chisholm, Trish Godman, Andy Kerr, Jackie Baillie, Robin Harper, Hugh Henry, George Foulkes, Robert Brown, John Park, Cathie Craigie, Ken Macintosh, Rhoda Grant, Dave Thompson, Karen Whitefield, Stuart McMillan, Gil Paterson, Cathy Peattie, Angela Constance 10

12 S3M-3548# Des McNulty: Community Service Volunteers That the Parliament commends Community Service Volunteers (CSV) for its strong track record in supporting retired people to engage with their local communities as volunteers; congratulates the CSV- RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme) voluntary drivers project in West Dunbartonshire, which organises the pick-up and return to their homes of elderly people and other patients who would otherwise be unable to attend local health clinics and hospitals; notes that direct government funding for this and other similar volunteering schemes ends in March 2009; expresses grave concern that local authorities across Scotland are not making financial provision for these services to continue despite Scottish ministers advising projects to seek funding through community planning partnerships, and would welcome the provision of suitable financial support to ensure that the work of well-used and successful projects, including CSV-RSVP in West Dunbartonshire, can continue. Supported by: Helen Eadie, David Whitton, Dr Richard Simpson, Claire Baker, John Park, Ken Macintosh, Robin Harper, Hugh Henry, Karen Gillon, James Kelly, Elaine Murray, Mary Mulligan, Sarah Boyack, Jack McConnell, Trish Godman, Mr Frank McAveety, Marilyn Livingstone, David Stewart, Rhoda Grant, Karen Whitefield, Tom McCabe, Cathy Peattie, Johann Lamont, Jackson Carlaw, Robert Brown, Hugh O Donnell, Cathie Craigie, Margaret Curran, Jackie Baillie, Irene Oldfather S3M-3441# Nanette Milne: Childhood Cancer - More Than My Illness That the Parliament highlights a survey by children s cancer charity CLIC Sargent that found that 97% of children and young people with cancer say that it is important for them to be able to return home during their treatment but that many parents in Scotland say that they do not get the support that they need when their child is at home; notes that children and young people say that living with cancer is about more than their illness; expresses concern at findings that about half of parents who want support with the education of their child with cancer, such as access to home tutoring, are not getting it or are finding that it is insufficient; recognises the need to help children and young people and their families in rural and urban areas across Scotland to keep up with their ordinary lives; welcomes CLIC Sargent s report, More Than My Illness, published on 13 February 2009, proposing innovative ways of reaching families of sick children across Scotland; notes the success of the Royal Aberdeen Children s Hospital and the CLIC Sargent nurse in helping to coordinate and plan aspects of care and support for children in Aberdeenshire; further welcomes the commitment to both specialist and local support made by the National Delivery Plan for Children and Young People s Specialist Services in Scotland, and highlights the need for key workers to better coordinate and plan all aspects of care and support for every child and young person with cancer. Supported by: Elizabeth Smith, Mike Pringle, Jamie McGrigor, Bill Aitken, Rob Gibson, Jim Tolson, Mary Scanlon, Murdo Fraser, Patricia Ferguson, Jackie Baillie, Bob Doris, Robin Harper, Kenneth Gibson, Sandra White, Malcolm Chisholm, Margaret Mitchell, John Lamont, Jackson Carlaw, Brian Adam, Bill Butler, Annabel Goldie, Jamie Hepburn, Dr Richard Simpson, Hugh Henry, Ted Brocklebank, Cathy Peattie, Hugh O Donnell, Gil Paterson, David Stewart, Alison McInnes, Tom McCabe, Irene Oldfather, Rhoda Grant, Jack McConnell, Liam McArthur, Ken Macintosh, Karen Whitefield S3M-3411# Jamie McGrigor: Songbird Survival That the Parliament is aware of the concerns of many bird lovers throughout the United Kingdom about the decline of the songbird population; notes research that suggests that over the last 40 years many species of songbird have seen a reduction in numbers of 50% or more with some species declining by over 90%; recognises that a number of factors have led to these declines and that these should be considered by policymakers, and commends individual birdwatchers and bird groups in the Highlands and Islands and elsewhere in Scotland for their role in recording species numbers and the work of organisations such as Songbird Survival that campaign to raise awareness of the threat to our songbird species and ensure the creation of a balanced biodiversity. Supported by: Patrick Harvie, Elizabeth Smith, Nanette Milne, Robin Harper, Mike Pringle, Ms Wendy Alexander, David Stewart, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Kenneth Gibson, Murdo Fraser, Ken Macintosh, Mary Scanlon, Ted Brocklebank, Margaret Mitchell, Bill Kidd, Jamie Hepburn, 11

13 Peter Peacock, Sarah Boyack, Gil Paterson, Elaine Murray, Irene Oldfather, Annabel Goldie, Cathy Peattie S3M-2502# Murdo Fraser: Bannockburn Battlefield That the Parliament observes the importance of the Battle of Bannockburn in Scottish history, where Robert the Bruce led a significant Scottish victory against the English in the Wars of Scottish Independence in June 1314; believes that Scotland s historic battlefields are important to Scottish history and that the sites must be protected as a memorial to the men who fought and died in the battles as well as allowing future generations to visit the sites and learn more about Scotland s past; notes the concerns of the National Trust for Scotland that the Bannockburn battlefield may fail to qualify for Historic Scotland s planned inventory of battlefields as too much housing has already been allowed on and around the historic site, and considers that the battlefield site has already been subject to enough development and that it now requires protection to stop any future development. Supported by: Cathy Peattie, Bill Aitken, Jamie McGrigor, John Lamont, Bill Kidd, Robin Harper, Kenneth Gibson, Mary Scanlon, Bashir Ahmad, Elizabeth Smith, Nanette Milne, Jamie Hepburn, John Wilson, Jackson Carlaw, Dr Richard Simpson, Angela Constance, Hugh O Donnell, Christine Grahame, Joe FitzPatrick, Dave Thompson, Gil Paterson, John Scott Record of Members Business Taken by the Parliament from 6 June 2007 Date MSP Party Subject Roseanna Cunningham SNP Rescue from Moving Water Des McNulty LAB Alimta for Mesothelioma Sufferers Karen Whitefield LAB Education is a Human Right Rob Gibson SNP Scottish Norwegian Commercial Cooperation Margaret Mitchell CON Motor Neurone Disease Jim Hume LD Local Food Andrew Welsh SNP Tartan Day Celebrations David Stewart LAB National Diabetes Week Sandra White SNP Asylum Seekers in Scotland Trish Godman LAB Maintenance of Common Land on Scottish Housing Estates Sarah Boyack LAB Save the Land Reform Act and Restore the Will of Parliament Brian Adam SNP MacMillan Cancer Support s Recovered but not Covered Campaign Murdo Fraser CON Beauly Denny Public Inquiry Patricia Ferguson LAB ICL Factory Explosion Call For Public Inquiry Mike Rumbles LD Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route Kenneth Gibson SNP Warm Zones Cathie Craigie LAB NDCS Change Your World Consultation Bob Doris SNP Glasgow Milton and Chirnsyde Community Initiative Christine Grahame SNP Can't Afford to Foster Michael McMahon LAB Public-Social Partnership Pilot in North Lanarkshire Elaine Murray LAB Further Job Losses at Young s Seafood, Annan Tavish Scott LD Crown Estate Taxation on Harbour Developments Stuart McMillan SNP House of Lords Ruling on Pleural Plaques 12