News

David Cameron probably hoped for an easier start to his party conference yesterday.  But now, thanks to the Irish "yes" vote to the Lisbon Treaty, it is dominated by EU matters, a subject that has previously divided party lines. Some party members are hoping that a Conservative Government will hold a referendum, but this will only be possible if the Czech Republic, one of the last member states due to ratify the treaty, delays the ratification process until after the General Election. Boris Johnston’s comments that the Lisbon Treaty, which includes the creation of the role of an EU President, would mean that “Tony Blair would suddenly pupate as intergalactic spokesman for Europe”, has further fuelled the debate. It will be interesting to see how Mr Cameron will solve the conundrum and maintain party unity.

In Scotland, David Cameron's comment that Alex Salmond should not be allowed to take part in a UK party leader TV debate ahead of the next General Election has caused some consternation. Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond has challenged this, and is now considering legal action if he is indeed excluded from the debate. Cameron’s comments should not come as a surprise though.  It is difficult for the Tories to increase their number of MPs north of the Border due to the strong position of the SNP which is seen as an alternative vote for disgruntled Labour voters.

In Brussels, unlike in Manchester, celebrations over the Irish "yes" continue, while discussions with Vaclav Klaus, the Czech President and the last hurdle towards the Lisbon Treaty, are fully underway. Commission President Manuel Barroso was quick to remind the Euro-sceptics that as the President, appointed by his national parliament which has already voted in favour of the Treaty, it will be difficult for him to delay ratification. Barroso’s colleague, Commissioner Walstroem, also argued that 20 years after the fall of the Iron curtain, the Lisbon Treaty would make Europe more open and transparent – a thinly disguised request to Klaus to speed up ratification. One way or the other, few will doubt that Klaus will enjoy the attention and schmoozing by EU leaders, but he, as much as David Cameron, knows that delaying the ratification would put them in an awkward position within the EU in a way which is not desirable for either of them. Both are likely to be aware of the risks, and are probably wondering how to explain their position in a voter-friendly way to a Euro-sceptic audience.

Scottish Government News

Legal Services Bill published
Designed to assist Scotland's legal profession to grow and compete in both the UK and international marketplace, this bill lifts restrictions on solicitors entering into business relationships with non-solicitors.  Therefore, members of the profession will now be able to seek external investment and business expertise from other industries and professional service firms and combine forces to create a new business structure which will be monitored by newly created regulators.  The responses to the relevant consultation paper, published in January this year are expected to be revealed within the next few weeks.
(I October)

Debtors to receive protection
The Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Bill is designed to review legislative protection available to home owners and achieve a more practical means of support for struggling families.  Minister for Housing and Communities, Alex Neil recognises that "with an increasing number of families facing financial difficulties, it is imperative that they are protected with the full weight of the law." Proposals in the bill include expanding the repossession rules to cover greater protection to homeowners and creating a new certified route into bankruptcy.
(2 October)

Telehealth Developments
Web technology is becoming an increasingly valuable tool in healthcare with its importance being reflected by the £134.7million ehealth Government funding outlined in the draft budget, a 38.6 per cent increase.   "Telehealth" involves communications technology to put patients in contact with the NHS from a distance, ranging from video conferencing to photo assessment for urgent skin cancer referrals. Access and developments in this technology will increase following the transfer of the Scottish Centre for Telehealth (SCT) into NHS 24 on April 1, 2010.
(2 October)

Scottish Government Consultations

The Draft Management of Waste From Extractive Industries (Scotland) Regulations 2009
(closing 16/10/2009)

Reforming the Law on Bribery and Corruption in Scotland (closing 23/10/09)

Changes to the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2009 (closing 29/10/2009)

The Scottish Parliament – The Week Ahead

Committees
Tuesday October 6

Equal Opportunities Committee - Draft Budget Scrutiny 2010-11; Female offenders in the criminal justice system inquiry (in private)

Justice Committee - Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill (in private); Legal Services (Scotland) Bill; Draft Budget Scrutiny 2010-11

Finance Committee - Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill; Review of the budget process; Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Bill; Legal Services (Scotland) Bill

Public Petitions Committee - Display of sexually graphic magazines and newspapers (evidence); Consideration of new petitions; Consideration of current petitions; Notification of new petitions

Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee - Climate change - impact on employment and workplaces; Draft Budget Scrutiny 2010-11

Subordinate Legislation Committee - Control of Dogs (Scotland) Bill; Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill; Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Bill; Instruments subject to annulment; Instruments not laid before the Parliament

Wednesday October 7

Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee - Draft Budget Scrutiny 2010-11; Arbitration (Scotland) Bill (Stage 2); The way forward for Scotland’s banking, building society and financial services sector inquiry (written evidence)

Rural Affairs and Environment Committee - Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill (in private); Draft Budget scrutiny 2010-11(evidence); Draft Budget scrutiny 2010-11 (in private) (review of evidence); Marine (Scotland) Bill (in private) (draft Stage 1 Report)

Health and Sport Committee - Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill (in private) (draft Report); Budget Process 2010-11 (Stage 2 – evidence); Subordinate legislation;

Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee - Subordinate legislation; Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill (in private) (draft Report)

                               
Local Government and Communities Committee - Draft Budget Scrutiny 2010-11 (evidence); Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill; Subordinate legislation; Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Bill; Draft Budget Scrutiny 2010-11 (in private – review of evidence)

Public Audit Committee - Section 23 report - Overview of mental health services (evidence); First ScotRail passenger rail franchise;

In the Chamber

Wednesday 7 October 2009

2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Rural Affairs and the Environment Committee Debate: 5th Report 2009: Rural Housing
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business Kintore Station and Aberdeen Crossrail, Mike Rumbles (Lib Dem)

Thursday 8 October 2009

9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Labour Party Debate: School Buildings
followed by Scottish Labour Party Debate: Volunteering
11.40 am General Question Time
12 noon First Minister’s Question Time
2.15 pm Themed Question Time
Finance and Sustainable Growth
2.55 pm Scottish Government Debate: Civil Justice
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business – Charter of Rights for People with Dementia in Scotland, Irene Oldfather (Lab)

Westminster – The Week Ahead

The House of Commons

Westminster is in recess until 12th October.