Parliamentary News Release

047/2004

8 September 2004

COMMITTEES PREPARE TO START WORK AT HOLYROOD

Committee business gets under way for the first time in the new Parliament building on Thursday. The Finance Committee and the Environment and Rural Development Committee will sit in the morning, while the Health, Justice 1 and Justice 2 Committees will meet in the afternoon.

Members will meet in their new purpose-built surroundings to consider matters including the Water Services (Scotland) Bill and The Fire (Scotland) Bill.

The new Holyrood building includes six committee rooms, compared to four in Parliament’s temporary accommodation, and all are equipped with broadcast facilities which will enable viewers to follow all committee business. All meetings will also be available live by webcast across Scotland and internationally.

The committee rooms can accommodate between 29 and 69 members of the media and public, far exceeding facilities in Parliament’s interim accommodation. A crèche is also available at Holyrood for visitors watching business and for witnesses giving evidence to Parliament’s committees.

Deputy Presiding Officer Trish Godman said:

“I’m delighted that our hard working committee members have at last got modern and appropriate facilities to carry out their important work. Our committees are the scrutinising heart of the Parliament and the key to devolution. We are all looking forward to getting down to business for the first time in our new surroundings.”

Convener of the Justice 2 Committee Annabel Goldie said:

"There is no question that these purpose built modern facilities are not only highly attractive, they are extremely stylish and provide a very acceptable working environment.

"While our previous committee room facilities were perfectly workable and we were glad to have them, they were never designed for the activities of Parliament. What strikes me about these committee rooms is how light and spacious they are."

Robert Brown, the Convener of the Education Committee added:

"The difference between our new committee rooms and our previous surroundings is like night and day. These facilities are very impressive and I think make a good working environment for members."

Background

All Parliament business is available by live webcast at www.holyrood.tv

Thursday’s committee business will include evidence taking by the Finance Committee on the Water Services (Scotland) Bill. Witnesses include Alan Sutherland, Scotland’s Water Industry Commissioner, and Dr John Hargreaves, Scottish Water’s Chief Executive.

The Justice 2 Committee will also take evidence on the Fire (Scotland) Bill, which aims to deliver a modernised fire and rescue service which responds to the particular demands of the 21st Century and contributes to building a ‘Safer Scotland’.

There are 16 subject committees which are: Audit, Communities, Education, Enterprise and Culture, Environment and Rural Development, Equal Opportunities, European and External Relations, Finance, Health, Justice 1, Justice 2, Local Government and Transport, Procedures, Public Petitions, Standards, Subordinate Legislation. There are also currently three private bill committees: Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Bill, Edinburgh Tram (Line Two) Bill and Waverley Rail (Scotland) Bill.

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