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Every contribution to the Official Report — chamber and committee — searchable in one place. Pulled from data.parliament.scot, indexed for full-text search, linked through to every MSP.

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Showing 60 of 2,354,908 contributions. Latest 30 days: 0. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 25 Mar 2026.
Mr Reid: SNP Committee
08 Oct 2002
Standing Orders<br />(Conveners Group)
It is not about decision making. It is perfectly clear that in any organisation like a Parliament, there can be only one centre of decision making. Our standing orders say that that should be either the Parliamentary Bureau or the SPCB, as appropriate. The conveners liaison gr...
The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP Chamber
03 Jun 1999
Devolution
The debate is scheduled to end at 4 pm and will be followed by a debate on motion S1M-19 in the name of Mr Ross Finnie on the Scottish adjacent waters boundaries, and the amendments thereto. That in turn will be followed at 5 pm by decision time, when questions on all three mo...
Mr George Reid (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): SNP Chamber
23 Sep 1999
Voluntary Sector
On days such as this, I feel that I am in the chamber not only as George Reid, SNP, but as George Reid, CSG. When the consultative steering group put together the building blocks for this Parliament, we acknowledged with gratitude the debt that we owed Scotland's voluntary sec...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid): SNP Chamber
04 May 2000
Decision Time
We now move to decision time. There are 12 questions to be put as a result of today's business. The first question is, that amendment S1M-792.2, in the name of Peter Peacock, which seeks to amend motion S1M-792, in the name of Mr Brian Monteith, on discipline in schools, be ag...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid): SNP Chamber
18 May 2000
Parliamentary Bureau Motions
Parliament is ahead of time today. We have a half-full chamber, but there is no agreement across the parties that we should go for an early decision time. I propose, therefore, to suspend the meeting of Parliament until 16:59 and to take decision time at the usual time. I do s...
The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP Chamber
01 Jun 2000
Decision Time
That concludes decision time. I remind members that, after I close this meeting, there will be a brief address by the deputy lord provost of Glasgow.
The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP Chamber
14 Jun 2000
Decision Time
That concludes decision time. Those members who do not want to participate in the members' business debate should leave the chamber quickly and quietly.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid): SNP Chamber
15 Jun 2000
Decision Time
As there are no parliamentary motions before us today, we move straight to decision time. There are nine questions to be put, but that number may shrink. If amendment S1M-905.1 is agreed to, the subsequent amendment will fall.The first question is, that amendment S1M-905.1, in...
The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP Chamber
15 Jun 2000
Decision Time
That concludes decision time. Members who are leaving the chamber should do so quickly and quietly.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid): SNP Chamber
07 Sep 2000
Decision Time
We move to decision time. There is only one question to be put as a result of today's business.The question is, that motion S1M-1136, in the name of Mr Jim Wallace, which seeks agreement that the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Bill be passed, be agreed to. Are w...
The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP Chamber
11 Jan 2001
Salmon Conservation (Scotland) Bill
I cannot give you an immediate explanation as I was not party to that decision, which was a decision of the Presiding Officer. I will ask the clerks to make inquiries and get back to you as soon as possible. Are you suggesting, Mr Finnie, that it is not appropriate to continue...
The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP Chamber
24 Jan 2001
Decision Time
That concludes decision time at a remarkably early hour.
The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP Chamber
08 Mar 2001
Leasehold Casualties (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Before I ask Adam Ingram to wind up, I should say that as four members have dropped out of the debate and speeches have been significantly shorter than the three minutes that was allocated, we are in some difficulty. I propose to take Mr Ingram's speech and then suspend the me...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid): SNP Chamber
13 Dec 2001
Decision Time
We come now to decision time. There are eight questions to be put as a result of today's business.The first question is, that amendment S1M-2541.1, in the name of Malcolm Chisholm, which seeks to amend motion S1M-2541, in the name of Nicola Sturgeon, on west of Scotland cancer...
The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP Chamber
09 Jan 2002
Decision Time
That concludes decision time. Before we move on to members' business, I ask members to leave the chamber quietly.
The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP Chamber
28 Nov 2002
Decision Time
That concludes decision time. I ask members who are leaving the chamber to do so quickly and quietly.
The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP Chamber
20 Feb 2003
Decision Time
That concludes decision time.
The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP Chamber
13 Mar 2003
Dog Fouling (Scotland) Bill
Mr Davidson has in fact used all his time.I am conscious that members want to know exactly when decision time will take place, so I will make another announcement. A number of speakers have dropped off my list, so it looks like decision time will begin at 16:35 or thereabouts.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
28 May 2003
Decision Time
That concludes decision time. I ask members who are leaving the chamber to do so quickly and quietly.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
26 Jun 2003
Decision Time
That concludes decision time. I wish all members a happy vacation.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
04 Sep 2003
Decision Time
That concludes decision time. Members leaving the chamber should, as usual, do so with discretion, quickly and quietly.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
08 Oct 2003
Decision Time
That concludes decision time. I ask members who are leaving the chamber to do so quickly and quietly.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
11 Mar 2004
Decision Time
Order. I do not welcome comments during decision time.The next question is, that motion S2M-985, in the name of Carolyn Leckie, on nursery nurses—a just claim, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed?
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
09 Jun 2004
Decision Time
The fourth question is, that motion S2M-1437, in the name of Patricia Ferguson, on the change to decision time, be agreed to.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
22 Sep 2004
Decision Time
After Parliament's debate and decision on Lord Fraser's report, I have two brief comments. First, I reiterate the public apology to the people of Scotland that I made as Presiding Officer in my evidence to the Fraser inquiry. Secondly, it is time now for this Parliament not to...
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
29 Sep 2004
Decision Time
That concludes decision time.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
07 Oct 2004
Decision Time
That concludes decision time. I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
17 Nov 2004
Decision Time
That concludes decision time.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
08 Dec 2004
Decision Time
That concludes decision time.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
08 Dec 2004
Decision Time
Parliament has decided, Mr Ewing, and it is now up to the Executive to take due cognisance of what has happened. With that, decision time is concluded.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
15 Dec 2004
Decision Time
The sixth question is, that motion S2M-2159, in the name of Margaret Curran, on decision time, be agreed to.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
23 Dec 2004
Decision Time
That concludes decision time. I wish you all a happy Christmas and a good new year.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
02 Feb 2005
Decision Time
That concludes decision time. I will report back tomorrow on the state of the voting system.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
09 Mar 2005
Decision Time
Before we conclude decision time, I am sure that members would wish to welcome the representatives of Deafblind Scotland who have come to the public gallery for the next debate. Applause.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
24 Mar 2005
Decision Time
That concludes decision time. Have a nice Easter break.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
20 Apr 2005
Decision Time
That concludes decision time.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
30 Jun 2005
Decision Time
That concludes decision time. I wish you all a good break.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
15 Dec 2005
Decision Time
That concludes decision time.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
22 Dec 2005
Decision Time
That concludes decision time. I wish you all a happy Christmas and a good new year.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
08 Mar 2006
Decision Time
That concludes decision time.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
16 Mar 2006
Decision Time
The result of the division is: For 95, Against 2, Abstentions 2. The decision to meet in committee rooms 2 and 6 is endorsed by 95 members present and voting today.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
22 Mar 2006
Decision Time
The result of the decision is: For 88, Against 20, Abstentions 0.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
29 Mar 2006
Decision Time
That concludes decision time. I will allow a pause of two or three minutes while members clear the chamber.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
19 Apr 2006
Points of Order
I agree with that. You are referring to the European and External Relations Committee. The ruling that I gave in the case raised by Ms Cunningham would apply to that committee as well. I cannot overturn a committee decision, however it is reached. It is up to a committee itsel...
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
18 May 2006
Decision Time
That concludes decision time.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
25 May 2006
Decision Time
That concludes decision time.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
08 Jun 2006
Parliamentary Bureau Motion
The question on the motion will be put at decision time.Before we move to decision time, members will wish to join me in welcoming to the Parliament Izaskun Bilbao, the President of the Basque Parliament, her bureau and the spokespersons of all the Basque political parties. Ap...
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
29 Jun 2006
Decision Time
That concludes decision time; it also concludes our summer term. I wish everyone a good and productive recess. See you in September.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
13 Sep 2006
Decision Time
That concludes decision time.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
08 Nov 2006
Decision Time
That concludes decision time.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
06 Dec 2006
Decision Time
The fifth question is, that motion S2M-5283, in the name of Margaret Curran, on decision time, be agreed to.
The Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid): NPA Chamber
07 Dec 2006
Decision Time
We come to decision time. There is only one question to be put tonight.The question is, that motion S2M-5041, in the name of Peter Peacock, that the Parliament agrees that the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Bill be passed, be agreed to. Are we agreed?
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
21 Dec 2006
Decision Time
That concludes decision time.A happy Christmas and guid new year to you all.
The Presiding Officer: NPA Chamber
08 Feb 2007
Decision Time
That concludes decision time.
Mr Reid: SNP Committee
08 Oct 2002
Standing Orders<br />(Conveners Group)
I have three points on that. The first is that the Parliamentary Bureau meets in private and much of the business with which the conveners liaison group deals relates to bureau business. There is a degree of reciprocity. Number 2, if we are seeking consensus, it is far better ...
Mr George Reid (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): SNP Committee
23 Jan 2001
New Petitions
Since 1997, I have been called to Blairingone many times. I have smelt the noxious odours and I have talked to villagers who believe that their health is being affected—I know their concerns about the application of sewage sludge and blood and guts to the land and their fear o...
Mr George Reid (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): SNP Committee
11 Feb 2003
Current Petitions
I want to make just one point for clarification. You were eventually given the offer of a meeting in Stirling, but it is my understanding that the purpose of that meeting was not to have a discussion—as the convener said—but for you to be told why a decision had been reached.
Mr Reid: SNP Committee
11 Feb 2003
Current Petitions
Is not it true that, at the first meeting, a decision was taken to contact villagers in Blairingone?
Mr Reid: SNP Committee
11 Feb 2003
Current Petitions
Given that, when the team's decision was reached, why was it communicated to Mr Snowie—who promptly put out a press release throughout the United Kingdom—but not to Parliament?
Mr George Reid (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): SNP Committee
13 Mar 2002
Cross-party Groups
Before I speak on the specifics of the letter, I will touch on the generalities of cross-party groups. When the consultative steering group considered this area, it saw cross-party groups as part of general outreach from the Parliament, working in partnership with the people o...
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Committee

Procedures Committee, 08 Oct 2002

08 Oct 2002 · S1 · Procedures Committee
Item of business
Standing Orders<br />(Conveners Group)
Reid, Mr George SNP Mid Scotland and Fife Watch on SPTV
It is not about decision making. It is perfectly clear that in any organisation like a Parliament, there can be only one centre of decision making. Our standing orders say that that should be either the Parliamentary Bureau or the SPCB, as appropriate. The conveners liaison group plays a similar role to that played by the Queen in Westminster: it has the right to be consulted and to advise. The information that is brought by the conveners liaison group to the Parliamentary Bureau informs its decisions. The chairman of the group has a key role in that he can act as tic-tac man and pass information to the Parliamentary Bureau or the SPCB. That is how institutions function.

In the same item of business

The Convener (Mr Murray Tosh): Con
Good morning, everybody. As it is 9.30, we will make a start. I will not tempt fate by commenting at all on the length of the agenda. We have two items to de...
Mr George Reid MSP (Conveners Liaison Group):
The consultative steering group was keen on conveners. It viewed the committees as the work force of the Parliament and considered, when drafting standing or...
In my judgment, having convened the conveners liaison group since its start, its most important function is that in proposed rule 6A.2.1(a):
"to consider and make recommendations in connection with the operation of committees".That allows something of a common view to emerge from among the convene...
Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): LD
One or two of the proposed revisions say that matters will be decided jointly by the conveners group and the Parliamentary Bureau and that members can appeal...
Mr Reid: SNP
Joint decisions relate specifically to committee travel and to members' travel outside the United Kingdom. Such matters will be batted backwards and forwards...
Elizabeth Watson (Scottish Parliament Directorate of Clerking and Reporting):
The way that the proposed standing orders are drafted reflects the present informal practice. In connection with travel requests for the location of committe...
Donald Gorrie: LD
I have another question that is more philosophical, if that is the right word. For whom do the conveners attending the conveners group speak? Do they speak f...
Mr Reid: SNP
That is a good question. I think that conveners would speak for their committees. That has largely been our experience.The position on a quorum is written in...
Elizabeth Watson:
My experience of the group is that it tries to work consensually. It is useful to have a spread of views from the parties, particularly when the conveners ar...
Mr Reid: SNP
It is not unusual—in fact it is probably more common in the group—for points to be pursued on a cross-party basis if there is disagreement.
The Convener: Con
I should of course have welcomed Elizabeth Watson to the committee—it was an oversight that I did not. Elizabeth is with us so often that it is natural to ta...
Mr Kenneth Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): Lab
I was not at the meeting in September 2000 when we discussed this matter and I do not necessarily want to unpick the agreements that have been put in place. ...
Mr Reid: SNP
I am grateful that you are not starting the process of unpicking. That has gone on for a substantial period. As you have conceded, the group has worked conse...
The Convener: Con
What is your view on the publication of a minute, as per the SPCB, or a résumé of decisions, as per the Parliamentary Bureau?
Mr Reid: SNP
I have three points on that. The first is that the Parliamentary Bureau meets in private and much of the business with which the conveners liaison group deal...
Mr Macintosh: Lab
Why is it that in some situations the group reports to and is consulted on, when in others it decides? Why should it not just report and be consulted on? Tha...
Mr Reid: SNP
I ask Elizabeth Watson to answer that because the question relates to specific issues about standing orders.
Elizabeth Watson:
I am thinking back to the discussions in the bureau and the conveners liaison group when the joint reference was formulated, at which I was present. The situ...
Mr Reid: SNP
I can give an example of the ways in which consensual work and diplomacy can be advantageous to the Parliament. About a month ago, we had as many as nine bid...
Mr Macintosh: Lab
I acknowledge that and applaud the record of the conveners liaison group. However, that leaves unanswered the question of whether the conveners liaison group...
Elizabeth Watson:
That responsibility lies with the Parliamentary Bureau.
Mr Macintosh: Lab
Why would we want to change that? Why not simply make a recommendation on the understanding that the conveners liaison group should be consulted and that its...
Mr Reid: SNP
It is not about decision making. It is perfectly clear that in any organisation like a Parliament, there can be only one centre of decision making. Our stand...
Mr Macintosh: Lab
The strongest argument for the conveners liaison group is that it has worked and continues to work. I am concerned about what might happen in the future. As ...
The Convener: Con
At the moment, if I remember, I invite you to go to the meeting if I am not going.There is a bit of a premium on my going, because I attend the CLG usually w...
Mr Reid: SNP
The committee must be absolutely clear about the proposals. The Presiding Officer has the right to occupy the chair. When Mr Tosh or I deputise in that funct...
Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP): SNP
I repeat that I am a member of the Parliamentary Bureau and have seen the paper as part of my bureau membership. Having been a bureau member for the past 14 ...
Mr Gil Paterson (Central Scotland) (SNP): SNP
I have a simple question for George Reid. What would be the impact of our not approving the paper?
Mr Reid: SNP
I do not know. It would be up to the conveners, in an inchoate and anarchic way, to decide whether to meet informally. If we go all the way back to the begin...
Susan Deacon (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh) (Lab): Lab
I apologise for missing the beginning of the discussion. I was not a member of the committee when the issue was first discussed and members will be pleased t...