Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 22 April 2015
22 Apr 2015 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Members’ Interests Bill
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 following our discussion at committee that everyone on the committee agreed that we should do exactly what was suggested. I am not of a mind to say that we have to be prescriptive at this point, but I think that Mr Murphy makes a very valid point and that whatever we do must be open and transparent to the people whom we serve. At the end of the day, that must be the overriding concern of every single one of us. How we express that must be done in a way that is straightforward and clear to the people whom we seek to represent. I do not think that they understand the niceties that we sometimes debate in this chamber, but I think that it would be worth our while to have that debate in the SPPA Committee and the chamber, and I very much look forward to having it very soon.
16:25In the same item of business
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...