Before we take the next item of parliamentary business, I am afraid that I bring some very sad news. I inform the chamber that our parliamentary colleague Alex Johnstone has died. I know that all of us who have had the good fortune to know Alex over many years will be very saddened and touched to hear of his death. There will an opportunity for the Parliament and MSPs to express our sympathy and condolences. On behalf of us all, I say to his family that we are thinking of them at this difficult time.
The next item of business is consideration of business motion S5M-02953, in the name of Joe FitzPatrick, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme.
Motion moved,
That the Parliament agrees the following programme of business—
Tuesday 13 December 2016
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Topical Questions (if selected)
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Welcoming International Migrants in Scotland
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Wednesday 14 December 2016
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions
Finance and the Constitution;
Economy, Jobs and Fair Work
followed by Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Business
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 15 December 2016
11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
11.40 am General Questions
12.00 pm First Minister’s Questions
12.45 pm Members’ Business
2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.30 pm Ministerial Statement: Draft Budget 2017-18
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Delivering Scotland’s Food Waste Target
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
Tuesday 20 December 2016
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Topical Questions (if selected)
followed by Scottish Government Business
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Wednesday 21 December 2016
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions
Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform;
Rural Economy and Connectivity
followed by Members’ Business
followed by Members’ Business
followed by Scottish Government Business
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
Thursday 22 December 2016
11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
11.40 am General Questions
12.00 pm First Minister’s Questions—[Joe Fitzpatrick.]
Motion agreed to.