Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Thursday, September 26, 2013

Official Report 803KB pdf

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Parliamentary Bureau Motion

The next item of business is consideration of motion S4M-07799, on the variation of standing orders.

16:58

The motion would allow the Justice Sub-Committee on Policing to hold meetings at 1 o’clock on a Thursday, even if members’ business has not concluded. On a number of occasions, members’ business on a Thursday has been so interesting and well-subscribed that it has overrun well past the usual time of 1 o’clock. That causes difficulty for the Justice Sub-Committee on Policing, which is scheduled to meet at 1 o’clock and has to wait until members’ business has concluded before being allowed to start its meeting.

In looking at this request from the sub-committee, the bureau was clear that we respect the time in this Parliament for plenary sessions. That includes members’ business. Therefore, while we have accepted the sub-committee’s request, we have put a time limit on the change of 20 December 2013.

I move,

That the Parliament agrees that, under Rule 12.3.3B of Standing Orders, the Justice Sub-Committee on Policing can meet, if necessary, at 1.00pm on a Thursday until 20 December 2013 for the purpose of conducting a meeting of the sub-committee and that any meeting held under this rule is concluded before the commencement of a meeting of the Parliament that afternoon.

Thank you, minister, for moving motion S4M-07799 on the variation of standing orders.