HOLYROOD PROGRESS GROUP TO HOST 'QUESTION TIME' IN PARLIAMENT'S CHAMBER
(6.00 pm, Wednesday 1 November)

MSPs will have the chance to put oral questions to the Holyrood Progress Group on the new Scottish Parliament building in a question and answer session to be held in Parliament on Wednesday (November 1).

The hour-long session in the Parliament's main chamber will begin at 6.00pm and will be chaired by Deputy Presiding Officer George Reid. The 'question time' style format is expected to be the first in a series of such meetings over the coming months which will give Members the opportunity to raise a wide range of questions on the progress to date of the Parliament project.

MSPs will be able to lodge their questions in advance to allow the Progress Group to provide the fullest possible answers, but supplementaries and 'unannounced' questions will also be welcomed.

The Progress Group members answering the questions will be Lewis Macdonald, Linda Fabiani and Tavish Scott.

Members of the media will be able to watch all the proceedings in the usual fashion from the Chamber's press gallery.

Members of the public will also have access to the public galleries on a first come basis, advance booking of tickets will not be required for this event.

BACKGROUND NOTES

Announcement of the Progress Group's intention to hold a question and answer session was first made in the September edition of its Holyrood newsletter.

Remit of the Holyrood Progress Group (HPG):

The HPG is the principal advisory body to both the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) and the Clerk in the management of the Holyrood Building Project. It acts a source of political liaison with the Parliament and provides high-level authoritative advice on technical, professional and administrative issues relating to the project. The HPG works with the Corporate Body to fulfil the terms of Parliament's resolution to finalise the building design; to complete the project by the end of 2002 within a budget of £195m; and to report on progress. In particular, its remit includes:

• To advise the Clerk on all issues relating to the progress of the project;
• To monitor and report periodically to SPCB on progress towards achieving the targets prescribed by the Parliament;
• To be available for consultation by the Clerk and the SPCB on any aspect of the project;
• To promote good communications with MSPs and the public and to optimise presentation of the project;
• To make recommendations on matters within its remit;
• To take formal minutes of its meetings and to inform SPCB of key decisions/recommendations.