Meeting of the Parliament 19 March 2026 [Draft]
I am grateful for the member’s careful wording as to how he feels that his time on the corporate body has gone. He is correct, because the recommendations strengthen the requirement for gender balance to be considered at the nomination stage. That is important.
We believe that making those changes will enhance the consideration of, and the process for, appointment or election to those four key roles within the Parliament and make an important contribution to delivering a truly gender-sensitive Parliament.
I move,
That the Parliament notes the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 4th Report, 2026 (Session 6), Standing Order Rule changes - Related to Gender Sensitive Audit recommendations on Parliamentary Bureau Membership, Election of Presiding Officer/Deputy Presiding Officers and SPCB Membership (SP Paper 978), and agrees that the changes to Standing Orders set out in Annex A of the report be made with effect from 11 May 2026.