Hansard

The Convener (Kate MacLean): Lab Committee

12 Sep 2000

Scottish Parliament<br />Equal Opportunities Committee<br />Tuesday 12 September 2000<br />(Morning)

I welcome members to the first Equal Opportunities Committee meeting after the recess.I have a few apologies to report. Tricia Marwick is attending another committee meeting. Tommy Sheridan is unable to attend most of today's meeting, because of the timetabling of the Executiv...

The Convener: Lab Committee

08 Jan 2002

Items in Private

We have received apologies from the new member, Tommy Sheridan, so item 2, which was his declaration of interests, will not happen. We have also received apologies from Jamie Stone, Elaine Smith, Kay Ullrich and Gil Paterson.

The Convener (Kate Maclean): Lab Committee

11 Jun 2002

Items in Private

We have received apologies from Tommy Sheridan, who is attending a meeting in Glasgow on his School Meals (Scotland) Bill. We have also received apologies from Jamie Stone, who is attending the Finance Committee, and Gil Paterson, who is attending the Procedures Committee, alt...

The Convener (Kate Maclean): Lab Committee

29 Oct 2002

Scottish Parliament<br />Equal Opportunities Committee<br />Tuesday 29 October 2002<br />(Morning)

I apologise for the delay in starting the meeting. We did not have a quorum until now. Various apologies have been received. Cathy Peattie and Elaine Smith are ill; Kay Ullrich has submitted apologies; Jamie Stone is at the Finance Committee meeting, which clashes with this on...

The Convener: Lab Committee

21 Sep 1999

Interests

I welcome Tommy Sheridan to his first Equal Opportunities Committee meeting, although he attended briefings during the recess. At our first meeting, other members declared their interests; if you have any interests to declare, Tommy, will you do so now.

The Convener: Lab Committee

20 Mar 2000

Ethical Standards in Public Life etc (Scotland) Bill

I want to interrupt, because that is an important point. It is possible to get thousands of people to sign a petition if the wording is right. Tommy Sheridan's point is that if the petition had been headed by accurate information, fewer people would have signed it. You quote t...

The Convener: Lab Committee

04 Jul 2000

Reporters

I have received the letters that were sent to Tommy Sheridan as well as some that were sent to me directly. I have already written to Sam Galbraith asking for comments on whether the matters raised in them contravene any legislation. I have written back to all the people from ...

The Convener: Lab Committee

12 Sep 2000

Single-sex Schools

The next agenda item is single-sex schools. Before Tommy Sheridan, who is now present, joined the meeting, I advised members that while we can discuss that issue, one of the recommendations is to refer it to the reporter on gender issues, Johann Lamont. However, Johann is not ...

The Convener (Kate MacLean): Lab Committee

28 Sep 1999

Macpherson Report

Good afternoon. Some committee members have yet to arrive, but as it is just after two o'clock we shall start. I have received apologies from Tommy Sheridan, Marilyn Livingstone and John Munro. I welcome Jim Wallace, Deputy First Minister and Minister for Justice, and Jackie B...

The Convener (Kate MacLean): Lab Committee

25 Apr 2000

Scottish Parliament<br />Equal Opportunities Committee<br />Tuesday 25 April 2000<br />(Morning)

I welcome you all back after the recess. We have apologies from Tommy Sheridan, and Marilyn Livingstone has said that she will be late.I propose that the second agenda item be taken in private. Is that agreed?Members indicated agreement.

The Convener (Kate MacLean): Lab Committee

07 Nov 2000

Scottish Parliament<br />Equal Opportunities Committee<br />Tuesday 7 November 2000<br />(Morning)

Welcome to the Equal Opportunities Committee. Apologies have been received from Tommy Sheridan, and we have been contacted by Marilyn Livingstone, Elaine Smith and Michael McMahon, who will be late as a result of travel delays.We must first decide whether to take items 5, 10 a...

The Convener (Kate MacLean): Lab Committee

21 Nov 2000

Items in Private

Although our numbers are somewhat depleted, we should get started. We have received apologies from Kay Ullrich, Nora Radcliffe, Elaine Smith and Tommy Sheridan. I hope that other members are on their way and will join us soon. Do members agree to take items 2 and 5 in private?...

The Convener (Kate Maclean): Lab Committee

22 Jan 2002

Items in Private

We will get started. I have received apologies from Tommy Sheridan and Jamie Stone. The first item is to ask the committee to take items 5 and 6 in private. Item 5 is consideration of the draft report on the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) (Scotland) Bill and item...

The Convener (Kate Maclean): Lab Committee

05 Feb 2002

Items in Private

Welcome to the Equal Opportunities Committee. In particular, I welcome Jim Johnston, who has taken over from Lee Bridges as clerk to the committee. I am sure that he will enjoy our work, especially as we usually manage to finish our meetings early.I have received apologies fro...

The Convener (Kate Maclean): Lab Committee

12 Feb 2002

Scottish Parliament<br />Equal Opportunities Committee<br />Tuesday 12 February 2002<br />(Morning)

We will start now. I remind members and witnesses that Elizabeth McLuskey is present. She will sign British Sign Language during the meeting. If people speak clearly, that will make her job easier. I have apologies from Tommy Sheridan and from Jamie Stone, who will arrive later.

The Convener (Kate Maclean): Lab Committee

05 Mar 2002

Items in Private

I welcome everybody to this meeting of the Equal Opportunities Committee. I have apologies from Tommy Sheridan and Kay Ullrich.Item 1 is to agree to take items 4, 5 and 6 in private. Item 4 is a draft report, which the committee has not yet signed off. Under item 5 we will dis...

The Convener (Kate Maclean): Lab Committee

26 Mar 2002

Item in Private

We will start. I have received apologies from Tommy Sheridan, Kay Ullrich, Elaine Smith, Jamie Stone and Gil Paterson.Item 1 is to ask whether the committee will take item 5 in private, as it is consideration of a draft paper on an approach to an inquiry that the committee has...

The Convener (Kate Maclean): Lab Committee

16 Apr 2002

Budget Process 2003-04

Let us get started. I have received apologies from Tommy Sheridan, Michael McMahon, Jamie Stone and Kay Ullrich.I welcome to the meeting Dharmendra Kanani and Lucy Chapman from the Commission for Racial Equality, and Mark Kennedy and Margaret Gregg from the Scottish Gypsy Trav...

The Convener (Kate Maclean): Lab Committee

30 Apr 2002

Scottish Parliament<br />Equal Opportunities Committee<br />Tuesday 30 April 2002<br />(Morning)

We will get started. I have received apologies from Tommy Sheridan and Elaine Smith. Jamie Stone has indicated that he may be a bit late.

The Convener (Kate Maclean): Lab Committee

14 May 2002

Item in Private

Let us start. I have received apologies from Tommy Sheridan. He has sent a letter, which has been circulated to committee members for their information.Do members agree to discuss item 5, on a draft report, in private?Members indicated agreement.

The Convener (Kate Maclean): Lab Committee

25 Jun 2002

Items in Private

Let us get started. I have received apologies from Tommy Sheridan and Kay Ullrich. Jamie Stone and Gil Paterson have indicated that they expect to be late—Gil has a clash of meetings, as the Procedures Committee is also meeting this morning.The first item on the agenda is to a...

The Convener (Kate Maclean): Lab Committee

03 Dec 2002

Item in Private

I open the meeting. We have apologies from Tommy Sheridan.Item 1 on the agenda is to decide whether to take item 3 in private. Item 3 deals with an approach that has not yet been agreed by the committee. Is it agreed that we will take that item in private?Members indicated agr...

The Convener (Kate Maclean): Lab Committee

31 Jan 2003

European Year of Disabled People 2003

I welcome everyone to this meeting of the Equal Opportunities Committee. I apologise profusely for the half-hour delay in starting the meeting. Some members have had problems in getting here—there have been some traffic problems. Other members will arrive. We have received apo...

The Convener: Lab Committee

05 Oct 1999

Progress Reports

I have a problem with Tommy Sheridan's suggestion about strengthening the paragraph about co-option at the top of page 3, which states that the Scottish Executive has rejected the need for a statutory duty on police authorities to reflect any local ethnic or cultural mix. If w...

The Convener: Lab Committee

02 Nov 1999

“Improving Our Schools”

Tommy, do you have a question?

The Convener: Lab Committee

16 Nov 1999

Progress Reports

So will you check with Sylvia and get back to Tommy?

The Convener: Lab Committee

14 Mar 2000

Violence against Women

The final question will come from Tommy Sheridan.

The Convener: Lab Committee

26 Sep 2000

Single-sex Schools

The discussion of single-sex schools was deferred from last week's meeting to allow Johann Lamont to take part; Tommy Sheridan had requested that the gender group consider this item. Members have received a report, and I will ask Johann whether she wants to comment. Before I d...

The Convener: Lab Committee

22 Jan 2002

Interests

Item 2 was to be a declaration of interests by Tommy Sheridan, who is back on the Equal Opportunities Committee. He has told me that he has been unable to attend because the Glasgow stock transfer issue continues to run on. Once the issue is dealt with, he will be able to attend.

The Convener: Lab Committee

03 Sep 2002

Interests

Does Tommy Sheridan have any interests to declare to the committee?

The Convener: Lab Committee

03 Sep 2002

Gender Equality and Best Value Inquiry

We would appreciate your writing to the committee about the issue that Tommy Sheridan has raised.We are running slightly late, but I am aware that Elaine Smith, who is the reporter on gender issues, would like to ask another question.

The Convener: Lab Committee

03 Sep 2002

Gender Equality and Best Value Inquiry

The minister has already agreed to give us detailed answers in writing on that matter. Whether there is any mileage in Tommy Sheridan's point about the Greater London Authority can also be considered.

The Convener: Lab Committee

10 Sep 2002

Items in Private

With Tommy Sheridan's dissent recorded, do members agree to consider items 4, 5 and 6 in private?

The Convener: Lab Committee

10 Sep 2002

Work Programme

The committee has always operated with four core reporters. So far, we have not appointed reporters on an ad hoc basis, but that would be a decision for the committee. As Tommy Sheridan knows, Elaine Smith is the reporter on gender issues. Since the committee started its work,...

The Convener: Lab Committee

29 Oct 2002

Items in Private

With Tommy Sheridan's dissent recorded, is that agreed?Members indicated agreement.

The Convener: Lab Committee

29 Oct 2002

Reporters

Does Tommy Sheridan have any questions on that?

The Convener: Lab Committee

12 Nov 2002

Taking Stock <br />(Sexual Orientation Issues)

Well, Kay, anyone who knows the way I chair these meetings or the way I conduct myself as convener knows that I do not always support the Executive or ministers. I felt that Lyndsay McIntosh was moving away from LGBT issues, which is what we were questioning the minister on. I...

Kate MacLean (Dundee West) (Lab): Lab Committee

19 Sep 2000

Abolition of Poindings and Warrant Sales Bill: Stage 2

I am not at all comfortable with the Executive's time scale, as it means that warrant sales could still be carried out up until December 2003. That said, I agree with Gordon Jackson and Pauline McNeill about Tommy Sheridan's amendment. A year is just not long enough for the Pa...

Kate MacLean (Dundee West) (Lab): Lab Chamber

02 Jul 1999

Local Government

I hope that Tommy Sheridan will forgive me if, like the minister, I do not join him in condemning the Labour Government. I welcome this opportunity to discuss the McIntosh report. I imagine that chapter 4, which contains recommendations about the electoral system, will be the ...

Kate MacLean: Lab Chamber

30 Mar 2000

Scottish Service Tax

I will address Andrew Wilson's question later.The review would include an examination of the method of collection and distribution of non-domestic rates. However, I do not support the system that Tommy Sheridan suggested, whereby collection and distribution of non-domestic rat...

Kate Maclean (Dundee West) (Lab): Lab Chamber

08 Sep 2004

Scottish Executive's Programme

I am happy to speak in the debate and to welcome the Executive's continued commitment to tackling crime and antisocial behaviour. I welcome especially the First Minister's personal commitment to decent, law-abiding Scots that we will do everything that we can to ensure that th...

Kate Maclean: Lab Chamber

08 Feb 2006

Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2006 <br />(SSI 2006/29)

I will come later to the level of settlement and what I think can be done about it.Dundee City Council could not have imposed a 2.5 per cent increase while protecting jobs and services and making prudent arrangements to retain balances that would be reasonable as a percentage ...

The Convener (Kate MacLean): Lab Committee

21 Sep 1999

Scottish Parliament<br />Equal Opportunities Committee<br />Tuesday 21 September 1999<br />(Morning)

I apologise for keeping members of the public waiting.We have received apologies from Elaine Smith, and Nora Radcliffe has told us that she will be late.

The Convener (Kate MacLean): Lab Committee

14 Mar 2000

Scottish Parliament<br />Equal Opportunities Committee<br />Tuesday 14 March 2000<br />(Morning)

We will start. Nora Radcliffe, Jamie McGrigor and Irene McGugan will be late and Tricia Marwick has tendered her apologies. I welcome Maureen Macmillan to the committee. She has a particular interest in violence against women and is the reporter on domestic violence to the Jus...

The Convener (Kate MacLean): Lab Committee

22 May 2000

Scottish Parliament<br />Equal Opportunities Committee<br />Monday 22 May 2000<br />(Afternoon)

There are some apologies, but I hope that more members will join us later. I apologise for having two committee meetings in one week—I realise that that is not easy for everybody, but it is just the way that things have worked out. I propose that we take items 2 and 5 in priva...

The Convener (Kate MacLean): Lab Committee

06 Jun 2000

Item in Private

We will get started, as it is after 10 o'clock. I have received apologies from Marilyn Livingstone, who is attending a funeral. I expect that everyone else will turn up eventually. The first item of business is to agree that item 6 be taken in private. Is that agreed?

The Convener: Lab Committee

04 Jul 2000

Reporters

That is good.Nora Radcliffe has sent her apologies. I had an inquiry from the press yesterday about the sexual orientation reporter and sub-group—although we do not have a sub-group as such. One of the lobbyists, who did not want to be named, had complained to the press that t...

The Convener: Lab Committee

12 Sep 2000

Reporters

Item 6 on the agenda is progress reports. Irene McGugan is meeting the Disabled Persons Housing Service to discuss building standards. She has produced a written report, which will be circulated. If anyone has any questions on the report they can ask Irene when she comes to th...

The Convener (Kate MacLean): Lab Committee

24 Oct 2000

Scottish Parliament<br />Equal Opportunities Committee<br />Tuesday 24 October 2000<br />(Morning)

We have depleted numbers this morning. There are a few apologies, but I expect other members to arrive as the meeting progresses.

The Convener: Lab Committee

05 Dec 2000

Reporters

Members have received a written report from Elaine Smith—the gender reporter progress report. Elaine is ill today and has sent her apologies for not being at the meeting. You will see from paper EO/00/23/5 that she wanted us to agree that she should produce a report on the Exe...

The Convener (Kate MacLean): Lab Committee

19 Jun 2001

Scottish Parliament<br />Equal Opportunities Committee<br />Tuesday 19 June 2001<br />(Morning)

We have received apologies from Kay Ullrich. Jamie Stone and Jamie McGrigor have said that they will be a little bit late.

The Convener (Kate MacLean): Lab Committee

04 Sep 2001

Scottish Parliament<br />Equal Opportunities Committee<br />Tuesday 4 September 2001<br />(Morning)

Welcome to the Equal Opportunities Committee. I welcome everyone back from the recess and hope that you all had an enjoyable break.We have received apologies from Kay Ullrich. Jamie Stone has indicated that he may be a little bit late.

The Convener (Kate MacLean): Lab Committee

18 Sep 2001

Scottish Parliament<br />Equal Opportunities Committee<br />Tuesday 18 September 2001<br />(Morning)

I open this meeting of the Equal Opportunities Committee. I have received apologies from Cathy Peattie.

The Convener (Kate MacLean): Lab Committee

02 Oct 2001

Scottish Parliament<br />Equal Opportunities Committee<br />Tuesday 2 October 2001<br />(Morning)

I remind members that we have started earlier than usual because the deputy convener Kay Ullrich and I will give evidence to the Procedures Committee at 11 o'clock. We hope to be finished at latest by then.Jamie Stone and Elaine Smith have given apologies. Lyndsay McIntosh and...

The Convener: Lab Committee

02 Oct 2001

Reporters

That concludes the reporters' reports so, with apologies to the press—we have not taken up much of your time this morning—we move into private session.

The Convener: Lab Committee

22 Jan 2002

Taking Stock (Disability Issues)

The third item on the agenda is the taking stock exercise. Unfortunately, because of personal circumstances, Margaret Curran is unable to attend the meeting, which means that the item must be deferred until 5 February. Members should hang on to the papers because they will not...

The Convener (Kate Maclean): Lab Committee

03 Sep 2002

Items in Private

I welcome everyone to the first Equal Opportunities Committee meeting after the summer recess. I hope that everyone managed to get some kind of break.We have apologies from Lyndsay McIntosh, who is attending a meeting of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland. J...

The Convener: Lab Committee

03 Sep 2002

Gender Equality and Best Value Inquiry

I thank the witnesses for their evidence. I am sure that the committee will look forward to working with you in future.Before the committee goes into private session, I should say that apologies have been received from Ann Hamilton of the Zero Tolerance Charitable Trust, who w...

The Convener (Kate Maclean): Lab Committee

10 Sep 2002

Scottish Parliament<br />Equal Opportunities Committee<br />Tuesday 10 September 2002<br />(Morning)

I have apologies from Jamie Stone, who has a clash with the Finance Committee meeting, and from Cathy Peattie, who is unable to attend.

The Convener (Kate Maclean): Lab Committee

12 Nov 2002

Item in Private

We have received apologies from Elaine Smith and Cathy Peattie, who are unwell, and Gil Paterson, who is attending another committee meeting.Agenda item 1 is consideration of whether to take item 5, on a draft report that has not been signed off by the committee, in private.