The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Displaying 4626 contributions
Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Meeting date: 29 September 2022
Edward Mountain
I noticed something in the letter from the Parliamentary Bureau. I know that it is not going to happen, but I am a great one for making preparations in case a thing does happen. The bureau talks about the possibility of a proxy vote being incorrectly used and about whether we ought to have some sanction for that. I believe that that will never happen. However, if it does, that will be a serious breach of standards of conduct. If possible, I would like the clerks to think about whether that is covered by the “Code of Conduct for Members of the Scottish Parliament”. Personally, I think that we ought to write something in there to say that a breach of the use of the proxy will make a member fall foul of section whatever-it-is in the standing orders. I have not looked it up—I apologise.
Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Meeting date: 29 September 2022
Edward Mountain
Absolutely.
Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Meeting date: 29 September 2022
Edward Mountain
We could say that the committee believes that that part of the code of conduct would be breached if the person knowingly did that.
Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Meeting date: 29 September 2022
Edward Mountain
It would also be helpful if the clerks could keep a record for the first year of the number of times that proxies are used. That would inform decisions about how to do that. I know it will be difficult to get that record retrospectively; it would be easy to do so at the time.
Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Meeting date: 29 September 2022
Edward Mountain
Convener, I accept take your point, although I dispute that there is ever chaos in the Parliament.
Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Meeting date: 29 September 2022
Edward Mountain
I think that “illness” is sufficient, because it puts the expectation on to the members to explain to themselves that it is a serious illness, rather than having to explain to anyone else.
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 27 September 2022
Edward Mountain
Thank you. As members have no other questions, thank you very much, cabinet secretary. We will have a brief pause to allow a changeover of witnesses. Thank you to those who are leaving, and thank you to those who are staying.
10:47 Meeting suspended.Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 27 September 2022
Edward Mountain
Will 9 per cent remain with the Crown Estate as per the agreement?
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 27 September 2022
Edward Mountain
Thank you. It is good that the money is classed as revenue, not capital, because if it had been capital, it would, under the agreement, have all had to stay with the Crown Estate.
We will park that issue there. I think that Mark Ruskell has some questions.
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Meeting date: 27 September 2022
Edward Mountain
I think that intercatchment transfers mainly date from 1950s legislation, so they are perhaps not relevant in 2022. That is not a great approach to take in terms of biodiversity and disease transfer. I am delighted to hear that you are looking at it.