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

The meeting opened at 9.30 am.

1. Potential Benefits to the Scottish Economy of the Planned Energy Research Institute and of the Diversification of the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry: The Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning moved S1M-3155—That the Parliament welcomes the decision by Scottish Enterprise to work up detailed plans for an Energy Research Institute in Scotland to commercialise the work of Scotland’s universities across the energy field; endorses the policy of support for offshore renewable energy developments on the part of the Executive and the Enterprise Networks, and notes the significant potential for the oil and gas industry to diversify into marine renewable energy technology.

Andrew Wilson moved amendment S1M-3155.1 to motion S1M-3155—

Mike Rumbles moved amendment S1M-3155.1.1 to amendment S1M-3155.1—

After debate, the amendment was agreed to ((DT) by division: For 65, Against 52, Abstentions 1).

Amendment S1M-3155.1 as amended was then agreed to ((DT) by division: For 62, Against 55, Abstentions 1).

David Davidson moved amendment S1M-3155.3 to motion S1M-3155—

After debate, the amendment was disagreed to ((DT) by division: For 16, Against 75, Abstentions 28).

The motion as amended was then agreed to ((DT) by division: For 64, Against 52, Abstentions 2).

Accordingly, the Parliament resolved—That the Parliament welcomes the decision by Scottish Enterprise to work up detailed plans for an Energy Research Institute in Scotland to commercialise the work of Scotland’s universities across the energy field; endorses the policy of support for offshore renewable energy developments on the part of the Executive and the Enterprise Networks, and notes the significant potential for the oil and gas industry to diversify into marine renewable energy technology but notes the Liberal Democrats’ opposition to the 10% increase in taxation on the North Sea oil and gas industry, and recognises that this is a reserved issue and the responsibility of Her Majesty’s Government."

2. Nominations to the EU Economic and Social Committee: The Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services moved S1M-3162—That the Parliament notes the Scottish Executive’s wide-ranging consultation with Scottish civic society to identify nominees for the forthcoming mandate of the Economic and Social Committee of the European Union, endorses the Executive’s proposal to nominate Andy Baird (proposed by STUC), Professor Grant Baird (proposed by CBI Scotland), Sandy Boyle (proposed by STUC), Brendan Burns (proposed by Federation of Small Businesses), Danny Carrigan (proposed by STUC), Campbell Christie (proposed by Scottish Civic Forum), Hamish Morrison (proposed by the Scottish Fishermens Federation), Bill Ure (proposed by the Scottish Consumer Council) and Dr Grahame Whyte (proposed by the Institute of Directors), to the UK delegation on the Economic and Social Committee of the European Union for the forthcoming mandate from September 2002 to September 2006; further notes, with regret, that the nomination process has not resulted in any women being nominated, and invites Ministers, in discussion with the other main political parties, to use their best endeavours to secure an enhanced gender balance in the nominations prior to these being finally submitted.

Richard Lochhead moved amendment S1M-3162.1 to motion S1M-3162—

After debate, the amendment was disagreed to ((DT) by division: For 35, Against 83, Abstentions 3).

The motion was then agreed to (DT).

3. Scotland’s Air Links: Mr Kenny MacAskill moved S1M-3154—That the Parliament recognises the importance of air links to, from and within Scotland for social and economic development; notes with concern the current situation within Scotland and, in particular, in the north of Scotland of poor international connections and high internal air fares; further notes with concern the high landing charges imposed both at British Airports Authority and Highlands and Islands Airports Limited airports and calls for action to be taken for these charges to be reduced and the competitiveness of the airports increased, and calls for all aviation matters to be devolved to the Parliament, for the Scottish Executive to establish a route development fund to assist the development of direct routes to and from Scottish airports, and for action to be taken regarding the terms of the Highlands and Islands Strategic Transport Partnership report into the creation of more public service obligations allowing affordable and accessible air links within Scotland.

The Deputy Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning, moved amendment S1M-3154.3 to motion S1M-3154—

David Mundell moved amendment S1M-3154.2 to motion S1M-3154—

After debate, amendment S1M-3154.3 was agreed to ((DT) by division: For 67, Against 53, Abstentions 1). As a result amendment S1M-3154.2 was pre-empted.

The motion as amended was then agreed to ((DT) by division: For 67, Against 52, Abstentions 1).

Accordingly, the Parliament resolved—That the Parliament recognises the substantial and on-going contribution by the Executive and its agencies to the maintenance and development of air links serving Scotland; believes that the best way to develop more international services is through a strategic framework which gives priority to those routes which are best for the Scottish economy; recognises that passenger numbers through Scottish airports are continuing to increase substantially, and notes the publication of the recent report by the Highlands and Islands Strategic Transport Partnership and looks forward to the forthcoming publication of the Scottish Air Transport Consultation Document which will provide a full and inclusive opportunity to comment on the development of aviation policies for Scotland, within the context of the UK consultation led by Her Majesty’s Government including the use of public service obligations and the cost of air travel."

4. GM Field Trials: Fiona McLeod moved S1M-3153—That the Parliament believes that the future of Scottish agriculture is in quality produce, meeting consumer demand and reflecting its outstanding environmental reputation and that, in light of scientific research which raises concerns about the environmental and public health effects of GM crops, Scottish Ministers should immediately apply the precautionary principle and use their powers to halt the Scottish field scale trials and restrict future testing to enclosed laboratories.

Ross Finnie moved amendment S1M-3153.2 to motion S1M-3153—

John Scott moved amendment S1M-3153.1 to motion S1M-3153—

After debate, amendment S1M-3153.2 was agreed to ((DT) by division: For 62, Against 55, Abstentions 3). As a result amendment S1M-3153.1 was pre-empted.

The motion as amended was then agreed to ((DT) by division: For 63, Against 55, Abstentions 3).

Accordingly, the Parliament resolved—That the Parliament believes that the future of Scottish agriculture is in quality produce, meeting consumer demand and reflecting its outstanding environmental reputation and therefore recognises the fact that the development of GM crops in Scotland has proceeded on a precautionary basis requiring, firstly, that releases of GM material are only authorised if an objective scientific test demonstrates that such a release will cause no harm to human health or the environment and, secondly, that a step by step approach is taken involving laboratory testing, plot trials and the current field scale trials with no decision on commercialisation to be taken before a full evaluation of the field scale trials has been completed.

5. Designation of Lead Committees: Patricia Ferguson on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau moved S1M-3163—That the Parliament agrees the following designation of Lead Committee—

The motion was agreed to (DT).

6. Decision Time: The Parliament took decisions on items 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and as noted above.

7. Transport Strategy for Aberdeen and North East Scotland: The Parliament debated S1M-3073 in the name of Elaine Thomson—That the Parliament commends the North East of Scotland Transport Partnership (NESTRANS) for developing and progressing a regional transport strategy for Aberdeen and the north east of Scotland that promotes modal shift and tackles growing congestion, including the effective development of park-and-ride schemes in Bridge of Don and Kingswells.

The meeting closed at 6.06 pm.

P E Grice

Clerk of the Parliament

29 May 2002

Appendix

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

Committee Reports

The following Report was published on 29 May 2002