Committee News Release

CPROC 03/2004

PROCEDURES COMMITTEE PROPOSES NEW RULES FOR INTRODUCING MEMBERS’ BILLS

MSPs who want to introduce a Member’s Bill at the Scottish Parliament will have to secure eighteen supporters from across the political divide under new proposals published today by the Procedures Committee.

At present MSPs need only the backing of 11 fellow Members to see a Bill proposal clear the first hurdle in the parliamentary process. The Committee is also calling for a minimum period of 12 weeks consultation to be carried out on new Bills proposed by MSPs.

In the Report on a New Procedure for Members’ Bills, the Committee’s recommendations include:

• a requirement to consult on an initial proposal for a Bill for a minimum of 12 weeks (or to give reasons why consultation on the proposal is not considered necessary, subject to approval by a committee);

• a higher threshold of support for a final proposal – 18 MSP supporters drawn from at least half the parties or groups represented on the parliamentary Bureau;

• a mechanism to enable the Scottish Executive to intervene in cases where it or the UK Government are planning similar legislation; and

• a limit on the number of proposals or Bills that each Member can have in progress at any time.

Committee convener Iain Smith said:

“Our principal recommendation is for a substantially more rigorous and structured procedure that MSPs will require to follow in order to secure the right to introduce a Member’s Bill.

“This new procedure does not involve prioritisation of Bills as such, but we do see it as an alternative way of addressing the potential issue of excess demand upon parliamentary time and resources.

“Having a strong element of cross-party support is also consistent with our view that the main purpose of the Members’ Bill procedure is to provide a channel for legislative ideas with a broad general appeal. This requirement coupled with a greater need for consultation, should ensure that Bills which come before MSPs have broad support both inside and outside the Parliament.”

The importance of early consultation is given formal recognition in the Committee’s recommendations. The new procedure would also raise the current 11-supporter threshold and build in a requirement of cross-party support.

Other features include a requirement to provide Explanatory Notes and a Policy Memorandum at the time of introduction and a cut-off point for introducing a Member’s Bill towards the end of each session.

The Committee’s recommendations are expected to go before the full Parliament for consideration after the summer recess. If agreed, the Parliament will formally adopt the Committee’s changes to parliamentary procedures.

The full report from the Procedures Committee’s is available on the Parliament’s website.

For further information, the media contact is:

Eric MacLeod 0131 348 5389 (RNID Typetalk calls welcome)
email: eric.macleod@scottish.parliament.uk

For specific committee information contact:

Lewis McNaughton: 0131 348 5178

For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 34 85000

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