Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 23 January 2013
23 Jan 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
“Review of Cross-Party Groups”
The one observation that I offer from experience is that the complete absence of an ability to fund some measure of small hospitality can be, to some extent, debilitating. Not having the opportunity to give people who come to the Parliament of their own accord in the evenings a cup of tea or coffee and perhaps a biscuit—or some form of refreshment short of luxurious—is debilitating and makes us look, on occasion, a bit cheap-minded. It is a question of courtesy—if we are hosts in this building, we should be able to offer at least some level of hospitality.
I understand the economics of such things and I also understand that, on occasion, that opportunity could be abused. I would like to think, however, that with the proper supervision we could at least begin to offer a measure of hospitality to those who come to the Parliament and, at the same time, conduct our business.
On the whole, as I indicated earlier, the work that Dave Thompson and his committee have done is entirely valuable to the Parliament and keeps us on the right side of integrity as we conduct our business in the chamber and in the environment of the cross-party groups.
16:50
I understand the economics of such things and I also understand that, on occasion, that opportunity could be abused. I would like to think, however, that with the proper supervision we could at least begin to offer a measure of hospitality to those who come to the Parliament and, at the same time, conduct our business.
On the whole, as I indicated earlier, the work that Dave Thompson and his committee have done is entirely valuable to the Parliament and keeps us on the right side of integrity as we conduct our business in the chamber and in the environment of the cross-party groups.
16:50
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-05402, in the name of Dave Thompson, on behalf of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Commi...
Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP)
SNP
I am pleased to open this debate on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s review of cross-party groups. As CPGs are formed within the...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I call Graeme Pearson, with up to four minutes.16:46
Graeme Pearson (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Thank you, Presiding Officer. I hope that I will not need four minutes.First, I thank Dave Thompson and his committee for their valuable work reviewing the c...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Mr Pearson, could I stop you for a moment? Will members who are having conversations please do so outwith the chamber? Thank you. Mr Pearson, please continue.
Graeme Pearson
Lab
The one observation that I offer from experience is that the complete absence of an ability to fund some measure of small hospitality can be, to some extent,...
Fiona McLeod (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP)
SNP
I echo the words of the convener and Graeme Pearson.The cross-party groups are an incredibly important part of the Parliament. They are part of the way that ...
Helen Eadie (Cowdenbeath) (Lab)
Lab
I am happy to close the debate on behalf of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee.As members will be aware, the vast majority of MSPs w...
David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
Name them!
Helen Eadie
Lab
No names, no pack-drill. If I have learned anything in my life, I have learned to avoid pack-drill.To me, the fact that the vast majority of MSPs are members...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Before we move to the next item of business, I remind members that they should not conduct conversations in the chamber during debates or use mobile devices,...