Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith) Lab

The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-12951, in the name of Stewart Stevenson, on the proposal for a members’ interests bill. I call Stewart St...

Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) SNP

The role of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee is to keep the Parliament’s procedures and processes under constant review. The Scotl...

The Minister for Parliamentary Business (Joe FitzPatrick) SNP

I want to start by quickly reflecting on the background to the committee’s work on updating the members’ interests statute. The committee should be commended...

Stewart Stevenson SNP

Colleagues might find it useful to know that I have discussed the proposals with each of our present independent members. I note that none of them is going t...

Joe FitzPatrick SNP

I am sure that they would hold that view, because the committee has managed to ensure that the founding principle of treating all MSPs equally is fully refle...

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (Lab) Lab

As a new member of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee who was appointed to it after it had heard evidence on the proposed bill, I th...

Stewart Stevenson SNP

Will Patricia Ferguson take an intervention?

Patricia Ferguson Lab

I am certainly happy to.

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

Very briefly, Mr Stevenson. I am afraid that the member is coming to a close.

Stewart Stevenson SNP

That is fine.

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

No. Please carry on, but I had to remind the member that she is to come to a close.

Stewart Stevenson SNP

Speaking personally and not as the committee convener, I take a different view from Patricia Ferguson on that issue, not because I do not think that more can...

Patricia Ferguson Lab

I am not sure that in the time that is allotted to me I can fully respond to Mr Stevenson’s concerns. I was going to go on to say that I was really pleased f...

Cameron Buchanan (Lothian) (Con) Con

There is so much to learn when a new member comes into the Parliament. I have to say that I found the rules and regulations of the SPPA Committee quite daunt...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

Two members wish to contribute in the open debate. I call Gil Paterson. 16:26

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP

Before I start, Presiding Officer, I wonder whether you will indulge me, since this is my first opportunity to speak. I want to record a personal message of ...

John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab

I note that the lowering of the threshold for registered gifts is being undertaken to comply with the recommendation of the group of states against corruptio...

Cameron Buchanan Con

It is not worth saying much more than that, in the words of Nicholas Parsons, there should be no repetition, no duplication and no hesitation. I do not think...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

That gives me a little bit of time in hand for the rest of the closing speeches, if members wish to use it. 16:36

Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I, too, thank the members of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee for their work in producing the draft bill and the work that they ar...

Stewart Stevenson SNP

The member will have noted that a few references have been made to paid advocacy. Would it be useful for us all to think about what “paid” means? It is not j...

Neil Bibby Lab

Yes, and I anticipate that the committee will consider those issues. As my colleague Patricia Ferguson said, the public sometimes do not appreciate the nicet...

Stewart Stevenson SNP

If we accept the principle that there should not be outside jobs, why should there be a ban only on MSPs or MPs being directors or consultants? Why not a ban...

Neil Bibby Lab

Those are two roles that could have an impact on the public’s perception with regard to conflicts of interest. The committee should certainly start to consid...

Joe FitzPatrick SNP

This has been a good and consensual debate that has reflected the approach that the committee has taken to moving forward on the issue. There has been genera...

Neil Bibby Lab

I am aware that ministers need to complete a register of ministers’ interests. Why is that not published online and publicly available? Does the minister bel...

Joe FitzPatrick SNP

Ministers have to fill out the parliamentary register of members’ interests in the same way as every other member does. They are not exempt from any of the p...

Neil Bibby Lab

I contacted SPICe about the issue. It said that the Scottish Government maintains its own register of interests for ministers, which is not published. Will t...

Joe FitzPatrick SNP

Although there are perhaps other registers, all ministers are obliged to comply with the same rules as every other member of the Parliament is. Ministers go ...

Patricia Ferguson Lab

It would be helpful if the minister clarified whether there is a ministerial register—that is the point. If there is, why is it not published? A member could...