Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid)

Meeting date: Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Official Report 981KB pdf

Standing Order Rule Changes

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-03030, in the name of Martin Whitfield on behalf of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, entitled “Standing Order Rule Changes—Committee Name and Remit and Miscellaneous Changes”.

It is a pleasure to speak to the motion, which is in my and Bob Doris’s names. For members who have been unable to digest the third report this year of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, let me give a short synopsis as to why supporting the motion would be beneficial. To draw on the Deputy First Minister’s speech earlier, I say that we need standing orders that are fit for purpose.

The committee’s report proposes an extension to temporary rule 4, which relates to the remit of the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, as well as a number of other miscellaneous changes. The remit of the previous committee was altered in session 5, and that would naturally have come to an end, if not for the extension. We were approached by the convener of the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee to ask for the extension to be continued throughout session 6 so that, in principle, the committee can mirror the appropriate minister and cabinet secretary, as is its duty and obligation. We propose a temporary change for the remaining period of this session so that the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee can properly carry out its work and scrutinise the Scottish Government.

The other amendments are a group of miscellaneous changes to bring the standing orders back into a fit and proper state. They have been occasioned by some drafting errors, errors in sections and changes relating to removal of certain statutes.

I hope that, throughout this session of Parliament, I will continue to entertain members with various amendments to the standing orders. So that we can have full and proper debate, and so that we can have fit and proper standing orders for the Parliament, I urge members to digest our eloquent reports, for which I thank the clerks and my fellow members of the committee.

I move,

That the Parliament notes the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 3rd Report 2022 (Session 6), Standing Order Rule Changes – Committee name and remit and miscellaneous changes (SP Paper 96), and agrees that the changes to Standing Orders set out in Annexe A of the report be made with effect from 11 February 2022.