Committee
Education, Culture and Sport Committee, 08 Dec 1999
08 Dec 1999 · S1 · Education, Culture and Sport Committee
Item of business
Special Educational Needs
I am pleased to hear it.
In the same item of business
The Convener:
Lab
On item 2, the clerk has circulated a paper outlining the issues relevant to special educational needs. Are there any questions?
Mr Monteith:
Con
I have read the paper all the way through and there are a number of points that I would like to mention. I still foresee a difficulty that I have spoken abou...
The Convener:
Lab
Members of the committee share your concerns. Although the Executive indicated during the consultation process that the change would be implemented in April ...
Gillian Baxendine (Committee Clerk):
Although the Executive has made a fairly firm proposal, it is still consulting on it and will have received representations from the schools and from other i...
Mr Monteith:
Con
That is rather worrying. If the consultation process is to end in late January or early February, April is not far away if the Executive decides to proceed. ...
The Convener:
Lab
We should write to the minister seeking clarification. If we feel that the response is not satisfactory, I will be quite happy to ask the minister to attend ...
The Convener:
Lab
Are there any other questions?
Mr Monteith:
Con
Under the heading "How the reports relate to the proposed inquiry", the final sentence reads:"The inquiry could produce information which will assist the Com...
The Convener:
Lab
Gillian, would you like to give us an outline of the timetable?
Gillian Baxendine:
We still do not know the timetable for the bill, because the bill has not yet been introduced. If, as we expect, it is published in January, stage 1 would be...
Mr Monteith:
Con
So that information may not be available at stage 1, but it will be available at stage 2.
The Convener:
Lab
That is right. Some confusion has arisen because we are not sure of the time scale for the bill.
Mr Monteith:
Con
Nor, it would seem, is the Scottish Executive.
The Convener:
Lab
The timetable has already slipped somewhat, so I am sure that we will be able to comment on the bill at stage 2.
Mr Monteith:
Con
That is a helpful answer. However, amendments at stage 2 might be ruled out of order if they challenged the principles of the bill. An amendment that challen...
Gillian Baxendine:
It is also open to the committee to take evidence specifically on special educational needs at stage 1. There is no need to wait for the inquiry.
The Convener:
Lab
Are there any other questions?
Mr Monteith:
Con
Under the heading "Diversity", the document states:"Information produced by the inquiry will provide an up-to-date ‘audit' of educational provision for child...
The Convener:
Lab
We are nothing if not ambitious.
Mr Monteith:
Con
I am pleased to hear it.
The Convener:
Lab
There are inconsistencies across Scotland and that is part of the reason for holding an inquiry. We can learn from best practice. I hope that that will be on...
Mr Monteith:
Con
If that is our ambition, there may be resource implications of which we will have to be aware and to which we will have to commit ourselves.
The Convener:
Lab
We need to discuss that now. We previously discussed the possibility of appointing an adviser to assist us with the inquiry. My understanding—and Gillian may...
Gillian Baxendine:
That is right.
The Convener:
Lab
Would it be appropriate, Gillian, for committee members to make suggestions on advisers?
Gillian Baxendine:
Shall I tell the committee how the process works?
The Convener:
Lab
Please do.
Gillian Baxendine:
In principle, the bureau has to give its approval before we can appoint an adviser, but it does not get involved in choosing the person who is appointed. Tha...
Mr Monteith:
Con
I have one concern. Although it may be an advantage to have a person with a great deal of experience, to avoid a conflict of interest, that person should not...
The Convener:
Lab
Yes, I agree.