Committee
Standards Committee, 08 May 2002
08 May 2002 · S1 · Standards Committee
Item of business
Cross-party Groups
I agree that there should be a review prior to the beginning of the 2003 session. I share Tricia Marwick's concerns about cross-party groups. I suspect that the issue might be a case of never mind the quality, feel the width. We are in danger of people forming cross-party groups as a platform—cynical old Kay would say this—for their own political ends. People want to be able to preface what they say with the words, "As a member of the cross-party group". I am a wee bit suspicious of some people's motives. I am concerned that there are cross-party groups that cannot get more than one MSP—and sometimes no MSPs—to attend. That must be reviewed. We must take a firm line on cross-party groups that are not operating in the way that we expect them to.
In the same item of business
The Convener:
LD
Our third item concerns the operation of cross-party groups. Members will recall that last year we reviewed the activity of such groups in the Parliament. Al...
Tricia Marwick:
SNP
Having been a member of the Standards Committee from the start, I think that it would be useful to explain our thinking behind the cross-party groups at the ...
Kay Ullrich:
SNP
I agree that there should be a review prior to the beginning of the 2003 session. I share Tricia Marwick's concerns about cross-party groups. I suspect that ...
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton:
Con
I strongly support the proposal for a review. We could also check whether there is any duplication and whether it might be preferable for some groups to merg...
The Convener:
LD
Before I bring in Susan Deacon, I reiterate that, under the code of conduct, a cross-party group requires"at least two Members of the Parliament".To my certa...
Susan Deacon:
Lab
I, too, strongly support a review. I also strongly support the suggestion that a review should take place soon—before the end of the current session. That wo...
Mr Macintosh:
Lab
I support having a review. I echo some of the concerns that have been expressed around the table, but I find that the cross-party groups are useful. Like oth...
Kay Ullrich:
SNP
Yes. I have tried to do that, too.
Mr Macintosh:
Lab
I suggest that there should be two levels of membership. There should be one level of membership for those who have an active interest and another for those ...
Tricia Marwick:
SNP
Will the current cross-party groups fall at the election and have to be re-established after it? I cannot remember whether the groups are required to be woun...
Mr Macintosh:
Lab
And a good exit strategy.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton:
Con
The cross-party groups would need to be set up again after an election because they might have a different membership.
Tricia Marwick:
SNP
That is my point. Do the groups come to an end?
Susan Deacon:
Lab
They must be reconstituted 90 days after an election.
Sam Jones:
The period is either 60 days or 90 days after an election. For some reason, I seem to have 60 days in my head, but let me find the rule. Yes, rule 14 of the ...
"Cross-Party Groups will cease to be recognised 90 calendar days after the first meeting of the new Parliament … unless a fresh registration is made within t...
Tricia Marwick:
SNP
Therefore any new rules that we introduce would need to be adopted by potential cross-party groups in 2003. That is useful.
The Convener:
LD
The clerks now have the detail of all the points that were made, so we will press ahead with the review, which we hope to have completed by the end of the pa...
Meeting continued in private until 10:59.