Hansard

I am grateful for the intervention from Sue Webber, who was a member of the committee when we discussed the matter. She and other members will be aware from the report that great concern was raised that pressure will be put on women, particularly but not exclusively in smaller parties, by an expectation that they will serve on committees that will be driven merely by the fact that they are women. There is concern that they may be persuaded to sit on more than one or two committees in order to fulfil the rule. However, we discussed the matter at a number of meetings and I have confidence that the wording that we propose will reflect the reality and prevent that situation from occurring. If it did occur, it would be beholden on not just the committee or those who sit in the Presiding Officer’s chair but the Parliament as a whole to look at it immediately.

In the evidence that we took for our report, we picked up that there are sometimes difficulties in the expectations that are placed on members. However, it is interesting to note that, in standing orders, the bureau is asked to take into account individual members’ interests in serving on committees. That has perhaps been celebrated in its absence more than it has been taken forward, and it is perhaps something that Parliament can look at in the new session.

We also propose that the deadline for the introduction of members’ bills be brought forward. That has been discussed at great length over the past month in various debates in the chamber. The change would prevent what we have seen at the end of the current session, when a significant number of members’ bills have had to be pushed and forced through. Bringing the deadline forward will prevent such backlogs from occurring at the end of future sessions.

Other proposals include strengthening committees’ annual reporting requirements and introducing a requirement for a dedicated debate slot for the people’s panels that are being committed to in the next session.

Finally, the report recommends changes to the standing orders to introduce a hosting role to allow for the sharing of knowledge and expertise between committees. That will enable a committee to invite members of another committee to attend and participate in the committee’s meetings and to have enhanced rights to access the private sessions and meeting papers but not the right to vote at that committee.

The committee believes that making those changes will strengthen the Parliament’s committees and give them additional tools for more effective scrutiny. I invite members to support the motion at decision time.

I move,

That the Parliament notes the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 3rd Report, 2026 (Session 6), Standing Order rule changes arising from the Committee’s report ‘Strengthening committees’ effectiveness’ (SP Paper 977), and agrees that the changes to Standing Orders set out in Annex A of the report be made with effect from 11 May 2026.