Parliamentary News Release

045/2003

Wednesday 25 June 2003

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT LAUNCHES ANNUAL REPORT

With 22 bills passed and 40 inquiries completed, the Scottish Parliament’s fourth Annual Report shows that the volume of work undertaken continued apace through to the last day of its first session.

MSPs spent nearly 1300 hours in the Chamber and in committee discussing the issues affecting the people of Scotland last year. Some 1,700 witnesses gave evidence to parliamentary inquiries, and committees continued the practice of meeting in towns and rural communities throughout Scotland for formal sessions, fact-finding visits and civic participation events.

The 48-page report, which is published today, shows that health, public services, transport, rural issues and the fishing industry figured highly in debates. Legislation passed included important bills on Land Reform, Criminal Justice, Water, Protection of Children and Homelessness. Bills were also passed creating two Commissioners for Standards, and for Children and Young People. A summary document of all bills passed in the first session is available on the website.

This Annual Report follows closely after last year’s, which was published in late October 2002. By narrowing the time period between the end of the reporting year and the publication of the report, the resulting document is intended to be more timely and relevant.

The Gaelic version will be published in July.

Commenting on the parliamentary year running from 12 May 2002 to 31 March 2003, George Reid who has subsequently been elected Presiding Officer, said:

" This annual report allows us to take stock of the work that was completed in the last year of the Parliament’s first session. It provides a snapshot for the public, showing the range of topics discussed, the legislation passed and the efforts made by the Parliament to ensure that all voices in Scotland are heard.

“ Once again, committees have been prolific in their output, growing in confidence and authority. Nearly 40 inquiries were completed with 1,700 witnesses giving evidence.

“ Copies of the Annual Report are sent to all Scottish secondary schools and to Partner Libraries in every constituency.”

Annual Report - Facts and Figures

Legislation

For the period 12 May 2002 to 31 March 2003: 22 bills were passed.

Time

Total time spent discussing issues in the Chamber: 343 hours and 14 minutes.

Total time spent in Committees: 937 hours and 36 minutes (1 May 2002- 31 March 2003).

Members' Business debates

64 Members Business debates were held in this period. The most frequently debated subjects were health topics such as epilepsy, osteoporosis, Primary Care, and post-natal depression, followed by transport issues such as A9 Perth to Inverness road, ferry services, air and rail links. Housing, drugs, debt, sport and environmental concerns were also each featured several times.

Time for Reflection

The text of all 126 Time for Reflection speeches made since 1999 have now been published in one document (SP Paper 843) (pdf). This is also available on the website. 29 representatives from different faiths and religions led Time for Reflection in the Chamber this session.

Committees

17 full committee meetings took place outside Edinburgh including those in Lerwick, Inverness, Orkney, Skye, Glasgow, Paisley, Kirkcudbright, Kingussie, Dumfries, Huntly and Lochgilphead.

45 fact-finding visits (37 in Scotland) were made by teams of MSP reporters including visits to Canonbie, Lockerbie, Gretna Green, St. Andrews, HMP & YOI Glenochil, East Kilbride, Hamilton, Colonsay, Buckie and Spey Valley.

10 major civic participation events were held.

The Land Reform Bill was considered by Justice 2 Committee in 11 meetings held over 26 hours.

Public Petitions have considered 620 petitions since 1999.

Visitors

May 2002 – April 2003: Visitors centre George IV Bridge - 24,000 visitors

Holyrood visitor centre 30,000 visitors

Public galleries 30,000 visitors

Public Enquiry Unit - 60,000 calls and 10,000 enquiries in writing

Open Day 4,000 visitors at the Mound - 700 at Holyrood.

Education

16,000 young people have now visited the Parliament as part of the school group programme.

External Relations

More than 500 VIPs have visited the Parliament since 1999. High profile addresses this year include those by Her Majesty the Queen; EU Commissioner Chris Patten, President of the European Union Pat Cox MEP and EU Commissioner Frits Bolkestein.

Copies of the Scottish Parliament's Annual Report will be available from the Parliament's media office from 8.30am onwards. The annual report will also appear on the Parliament's website at www.scottish.parliament.uk and is available from the Stationery Office outlets - call 0870 606 5566 for details.

For further information the media contact is:

Andrew Proudfoot: 0131 348 6245
email: andrew.proudfoot@scottish.parliament.uk

For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 34 85000

For general enquiries, contact: 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk
Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk