The next item of business is consideration of business motion S2M-2316, in the name of Margaret Curran, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme.
Motion moved,
That the Parliament agrees the following programme of business—
Wednesday 2 February 2005
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Stage 1 Debate: Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill
followed by Financial Resolution in respect of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill
followed by Motion on Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill – UK Legislation
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Thursday 3 February 2005
9.30 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish National Party Business
12 noon First Minister's Question Time
2.00 pm Question Time—
Environment and Rural Development;
Health and Community Care;
General Questions
3.00 pm Ministerial Statement: Grant Awards
followed by Executive Debate: Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2005
followed by Motion on Inquiries Bill – UK Legislation
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Wednesday 9 February 2005
2.30 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Water Services (Scotland) Bill
followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Budget (Scotland) (No.2) Bill
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Thursday 10 February 2005
9.30 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Non-Executive Business
12 noon First Minister's Question Time
2.00 pm Question Time—
Enterprise, Lifelong Learning and Transport;
Justice and Law Officers; General Questions
3.00 pm Executive Business
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business.—[Ms Margaret Curran.]
I move that we vote against the business motion because I do not think that the Scottish Parliament should be giving any consideration to the Sewel motion on the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill. The effect of such a motion would be to give our approval to the Westminster Parliament's repeal of an important amendment that I successfully moved during the passage of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 in order to extend the right of responsible access to land owned by the Queen in her private capacity.
I am obliged to Mr Canavan for giving way, which will enable me briefly to highlight the reason why the Conservative group will support his efforts to block the business motion. It appears that we are wallowing in a sea of Sewels.
Not a speech, Mr Aitken.
I know that the matter is causing concern throughout the chamber. As far as we are concerned, Sewel motions are a perfectly appropriate way to dispose of business, but the motion to which Mr Canavan refers is one Sewel too far. We should debate the matter in a primary rather than a secondary fashion. We will support Mr Canavan today.
I am grateful to Bill Aitken for that helpful intervention. The fact that he and the Tories appear to agree with me on this important matter is an indication of the breadth of support for it. It would be an absolute disgrace if the Labour–Liberal coalition were to rush forward with the Sewel motion next week. In effect, that would deprive the Parliament of the opportunity fully to debate, consider and decide on the matter.
As Mr Canavan and other members are aware, the Sewel motion was subject to detailed scrutiny in committee yesterday. As I understand it, the committee will meet again next week, prior to the debate in the chamber, and will report on its findings. As you are aware, Presiding Officer, during the Parliamentary Bureau's discussion on forthcoming business yesterday I acknowledged the importance that members attach to the issues that are covered by the Sewel motion and other parties' business managers recognised that I had gone to considerable lengths to address the issues that they raised with me. To that extent, I was happy to agree to an extended debate in the chamber next week.
Will the minister take an intervention?
No. This is the Executive that brought forward the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. It is important for members to make informed decisions in the light of the facts. Accordingly, I ask members to approve the business motion.
The question is, that motion S2M-2316, in the name of Margaret Curran, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme, be agreed to. Are we agreed?
No.
There will be a division.
For
The result of the division is: For 65, Against 56, Abstentions 1.
Motion agreed to.
That the Parliament agrees the following programme of business—
Wednesday 2 February 2005
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Stage 1 Debate: Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill
followed by Financial Resolution in respect of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill
followed by Motion on Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill – UK Legislation
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Thursday 3 February 2005
9.30 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish National Party Business
12 noon First Minister's Question Time
2.00 pm Question Time—
Environment and Rural Development;
Health and Community Care;
General Questions
3.00 pm Ministerial Statement: Grant Awards
followed by Executive Debate: Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2005
followed by Motion on Inquiries Bill – UK Legislation
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Wednesday 9 February 2005
2.30 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Water Services (Scotland) Bill
followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Budget (Scotland) (No.2) Bill
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Thursday 10 February 2005
9.30 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Non-Executive Business
12 noon First Minister's Question Time
2.00 pm Question Time—
Enterprise, Lifelong Learning and Transport;
Justice and Law Officers; General Questions
3.00 pm Executive Business
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business.
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