Note: (DT) signifies a decision taken at Decision Time.

The meeting opened at 2.30 pm.

1. Time for Reflection: Rabbi David Sedley led Time for Reflection.

2. Ministerial Statement: The Minister for Enterprise and Life Long Learning made a statement on the Executive’s proposals as set out in the Framework Document Working Together for Wider Access to Further and Higher Education and a Fair Deal for Students.

3. Ministerial Statement: The Minister for Transport and the Environment made a statement on Water Charges.

4. Budget (Scotland) Bill: The Minister for Finance moved S1M-455—That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Budget (Scotland) Bill.

After debate, the motion was agreed to ((DT) by division: For 57, Against 27, Abstentions 19).

5. Business Motion: Mr Tom McCabe, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S1M-463—That the Parliament agrees—

1. the following programme of business—

Thursday 27 January 2000

9.30 am Debate on the Executive’s Proposals as set out in the Framework Document on Wider Access to Further and Higher Education

2.30 pm Question Time

3.10 pm First Minister's Question Time

3.30 pm Continuation of the Debate on the Executive’s Proposals as set out in the Framework Document on Wider Access to Further and Higher Education

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

5.00 pm Decision Time

followed by Members' Business - debate on the subject of S1M-361 David Mundell: Rural Sub Post Offices

Wednesday 2 February 2000

2.30 pm Time for Reflection

followed by Executive Debate on British Irish Council

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

5.00 pm Decision Time

followed by Members' Business – debate on the subject of S1M-349 Mr Jamie Stone: A9 Improvements

Thursday 3 February 2000

9.30 am Non-Executive Debate on Motions by the Scottish National Party

followed by Business Motion

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

2.30 pm Question Time

3.10 pm First Minister's Question Time

3.30 pm Executive Debate on Sustainable Development

5.00 pm Decision Time

followed by Members' Business – debate on the subject of S1M-280 Elaine Smith: UN Convention Report on the Rights of the Child

Wednesday 9 February 2000

2.30 pm Time for Reflection

followed by Executive Debate on the Census (Scotland) Order 2000

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

5.00 pm Decision Time

followed by Members' Business

Thursday 10 February 2000

9.30 am Non-Executive Debate on a Motion by the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

followed by Business Motion

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

2.30 pm Question Time

3.10 pm First Minister's Question Time

3.30 pm Stage 3 Debate on the Budget (Scotland) Bill

5.00 pm Decision Time

and (b) that Stage 1 consideration of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Bill be completed by 24 March 2000.

The motion was agreed to

6. Decision Time: The Parliament took a decision on item 4 as noted above.

7. Protection of Victims in Rape Cases: The Parliament debated S1M-253 in the name of Mr Gil Paterson—That the Parliament notes the recent report produced by Soroptimist International into the way rape victims are treated by the legal system and recognises the need to address the way the legal system, which currently fails to protect adequately women and children, operates in such cases.

The meeting closed at 5.41 pm.

PE Grice

Clerk of the Parliament

26 January 2000

(Note: this Appendix does not form part of the Minutes)

The following instrument was laid in draft before the Parliament on 21 January 2000 for approval by resolution

The Scotland Act 1998 (Transitory and Transitional Provisions) (Appropriations) Amendment (Scotland) Order 2000

laid under the Scotland Act 1998

The following instruments were laid in draft before the Parliament on 24 January 2000 for approval by resolution—

The Small Claims (Scotland) Amendment Order 2000

laid under the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971

The Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971 (Privative Jurisdiction and Summary Cause) Order 2000

laid under the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971

The following instrument was laid before the Parliament in draft on 26 January 2000 for approval by resolution

The Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971 (Privative Jurisdiction and Summary Cause) Order 2000

laid under section 35(4) of the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971

(Note: The Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971 (Privative Jurisdiction and Summary Cause) Order 2000 which was laid on 24 January 2000 has been withdrawn)

The following documents were laid before the Parliament on 21 January 2000 and are not subject to any Parliamentary procedure—

Scotland’s Supply Estimates 1999-00: Scotland’s Spring Supplementary Supply Estimates (SE/2000/5)

Scotland’s Budget Document 2000-01 (SE/2000/6)

 

The following document was laid before the Parliament on 24 January 2000 and is not subject to any Parliamentary procedure

Scottish Economic Report (SE/2000/4)

 

The following Report was published on 21 January 2000

Rural Affairs Committee, 1st Report, 2000: Report on Subordinate Legislation (SP Paper 57)

The following Report was published on 24 January 2000

Subordinate Legislation Committee, 2nd Report, 2000: Report on Subordinate Legislation (SP Paper 59)

The following Report was published on 26 January 2000