Members may wish to note that the Chamber Desk will be closed on Monday 6 May 2024. Arrangements for the lodging of First Minister’s Questions, Topical Questions, motions and amendments for debate and the random draw for General and Portfolio Questions are set out below.

The deadline for submitting First Minister’s Questions for Thursday 9 May is 9.30 am on Tuesday 7 May.

The deadline for submitting Topical Questions for Tuesday 7 May is 9.30 am on Tuesday 7 May.

Motions for debate on Tuesday 7 May should be lodged with the Chamber Desk by no later than 4.00 pm on Thursday 2 May; amendments to these motions should be lodged by 3.30 pm on Friday 3 May.

Motions for debate on Wednesday 8 May should be lodged with the Chamber Desk by 3.30 pm on Friday 3 May; amendments to these motions should be lodged by 4.00 pm on Tuesday 7 May.

Members are advised that the deadline for submitting names for Portfolio Questions on Wednesday 15 May, and Portfolio and General Questions on Thursday 16 May is 12 noon on Friday 3 May. Members who are selected will be advised by email on that day and will have until noon on Wednesday 8 May to submit their questions.

Portfolio questions on Wednesday 15 May will be Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and Justice and Home Affairs, and on Thursday 16 May, Education and Skills.

Chamber business

11:40am

Parliamentary Bureau Motions
11:40am

General Questions

Keith Brown (S6O-03348)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support bat conservation.

Mark Ruskell (S6O-03349)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to deliver a safer speed limit of 20 mph by 2025 on all appropriate roads in built-up areas.

Jamie Greene (S6O-03350)

To ask the Scottish Government how it will improve connectivity on the islands of Arran and Cumbrae ahead of the busy summer tourist season.

James Dornan (S6O-03351)

To ask the Scottish Government what role the Housing (Scotland) Bill will play in achieving a more sustainable private rented sector.

Tim Eagle (S6O-03352)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what activity it will undertake regarding its Action Plan to Address Depopulation.

Ross Greer (S6O-03353)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking in response to reports of potential staff redundancies at the Thermo Fisher Scientific site in Paisley.

Douglas Lumsden (S6O-03354)

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its plans to achieve net zero by 2045, what its response is to the Electricity System Operator's report, Beyond 2030.

Maggie Chapman (S6O-03355)

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether public sector bodies should support pregnant workers and new parents with 52 weeks of maternity leave at full pay.
12pm

First Minister's Questions

Douglas Ross (S6F-03036)

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Anas Sarwar (S6F-03037)

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (S6F-03043)

To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet.

Kevin Stewart (S6F-03047)

To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on NHS Scotland's ability to treat patients, in light of the reported scarcity of life-saving medicines in the UK due to Brexit.

Liam Kerr (S6F-03053)

To ask the First Minister what impact he anticipates the Scottish Government's decision to remove the target to reduce emissions by 75% by 2030 will have on infrastructure projects throughout Scotland.

Monica Lennon (S6F-03060)

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the report, Scoping a Domestic Legal Framework for Ecocide in Scotland, which was published by the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland.

Submitting member has a registered interest.
Members' Business — S6M-12727 Liam Kerr: The Need for New Railway Stations North of the Central Belt

Liam Kerr (S6M-12727)

That the Parliament welcomes the recent Nestrans report that recommends that the potential new railway stations at Cove and Newtonhill should undergo a detailed appraisal; notes the view that there is a desperate need for these communities to be linked up with the rail network after, it considers, years of transport funding being directed to the Central Belt; understands that over 1,550 people have signed a petition calling on the stations to be opened, and thanks the Campaign for North East Rail and local residents for their tireless campaigning on this issue.

Further details available for S6M-12727
2:30pm

Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2:30pm

Portfolio Questions

Portfolio: Education and Skills

Liam Kerr (S6O-03340)

To ask the Scottish Government what it anticipates the impact will be of reported reductions to college budgets in the north east.

Alasdair Allan (S6O-03341)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its approach alongside Bòrd na Gàidhlig to secure the long-term future of the Gaelic Officers Scheme.

Katy Clark (S6O-03342)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to help resolve the industrial dispute by lecturers.

Stephen Kerr (S6O-03343)

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to update its guidance to schools regarding gender affirmation for children, in light of the recommendations in the final report of the Cass Review.

Audrey Nicoll (S6O-03344)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the Universities Scotland 40 Faces campaign.

Ash Regan (S6O-03345)

[Not Lodged]

Liz Smith (S6O-03346)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what provision it is making to ensure that all school pupils have access to music tuition.

Colin Beattie (S6O-03347)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what steps are being taken to tackle bullying in schools.

Watch on Scottish Parliament TV
Stage 3 Proceedings: Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill

Natalie Don (S6M-12944)

That the Parliament agrees that the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill be passed.

Further details available for S6M-12944

Watch on Scottish Parliament TV
Business Motions
Parliamentary Bureau Motions
3:55pm

Decision Time

Committee business

The committee will meet at 9:00am at T1.60-CR4 The Clerk Maxwell Room and will be broadcast on www.scottishparliament.tv.

1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take agenda items 3, 4 and 5 in private.

2. Administration of Scottish income tax 2022/23: The Committee will take evidence from—

Alyson Stafford, Director-General Scottish Exchequer, Scottish Government
Lorraine King, Deputy Director for Tax, Strategy, Engagement and Performance, Scottish Government
Jonathan Athow, Director General for Customer Strategy and Tax Design, HM Revenue and Customs
Phil Batchelor, Deputy Director for Income Tax Policy, HM Revenue and Customs

3. Administration of Scottish income tax 2022/23: The Committee will consider the evidence heard at agenda item 2 and take further evidence from—

Stephen Boyle
Mark Taylor, Audit Director, Audit Scotland

4. Administration of Scottish income tax 2022/23: The Committee will consider the evidence heard at agenda items 2 and 3 and agree any further action it wishes to take.

5. Work programme: The Committee will consider its work programme.

For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, Lynn Russell at [email protected]

The committee will meet at 9:00am at T4.40-CR2 The Fairfax Somerville Room and will be broadcast on www.scottishparliament.tv.

1. Decisions on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take items 3 and 5 in private.

2. Client experience of Social Security Scotland’s redetermination and appeals process: The Committee will take evidence from—

Tim Barraclough, Executive Director, Tribunals and Office of the Public Guardian , Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
Lesley Black, Director Tribunals, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
Gayle Devlin, Deputy Director of Health and Social Care, Social Security Scotland

3. Client experience of Social Security Scotland’s redetermination and appeals process: The Committee will consider the evidence heard under item 2.

4. Poverty and Inequality Commission Appointments (in private): The Committee will consider a draft report.

5. Data Protection and Digital Information Bill (UK Parliament legislation): The Committee will consider its approach to the scrutiny of the legislative consent memorandum lodged by the Scottish Government (LCM(S6)36b).

For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, Claire Menzies on 85219 or at [email protected]

The committee will meet at 9:00am at T4.60-CR6 The Livingstone Room and will be broadcast on www.scottishparliament.tv.

1. Complaint (in private): The Committee will consider a report from the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.

For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, Catherine Fergusson on 85186 or at [email protected]

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What's On

Thursday 25 April 2024

Business Bulletin

Chamber business

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

General Questions

First Minister's Questions

Members' Business — S6M-12727 Liam Kerr: The Need for New Railway Stations North of the Central Belt

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

Portfolio Questions

Stage 3 Proceedings: Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill

Business Motions

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

Decision Time

Committee business

Public Audit Committee

Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Questions and answers

Official Report

Motions and votes

The Chamber

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