Committee News Release
CHEAL 001/2004
28 September 2004
HEALTH COMMITTEE TO SEEK EXTENSION TO BILL TIMETABLE
At its meeting today, the Parliament's Health Committee agreed to seek an extension to the timetable for reporting on Stewart Maxwell's Prohibition of Smoking in Regulated Areas ( Scotland ) Bill.
The Committee had been due to publish a report to Parliament on the general principles of the Bill in time for a debate no later than 2 November. It will now ask for this deadline to be extended until the end of January 2005.
Explaining this decision, Health Committee Convener, Roseanna Cunningham said:
“The Committee has considered written and oral evidence from a range of individuals and organisations on the general principles of Stewart Maxwell's Bill. However, it is aware that the results of the Scottish Executive's ongoing consultation on smoking in public places will not be announced before the end of the year.
“The Committee is keen to take account of the outcome of that consultation and will, therefore, seek an extension to the timetable for reporting on the Bill.”
The Committee's request is expected to be considered by the Parliamentary Bureau next week.
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