This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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FM seeks more 'spontaneity' in Parliament
09/05/2003
First Minister Jack McConnell has written to the
Scottish Parliament's new Presiding Officer George Reid
congratulating him on his appointment and offering his
personal reflections on the parliamentary process over the
last four years.
Mr McConnell indicated that he believes the performance
of Parliament would be enhanced through greater
spontaneity, more time for backbench speeches and some
flexibility in, or an extension, to the working hours of
the parliament.
The full text of the letter is outlined below:
"Many congratulations on your election as Presiding
Officer. I wish you well in the post, and I am sure that,
like me, you will want to develop confidence in our
Parliament.
"Although I am in the midst of discussions regarding a
possible coalition agreement, I am very keen to pass on to
you my reflections on the Parliamentary process from the
last four years, and in particular the 18 months that I
have been First Minister. I am also keen that the
implications of the new composition of the Parliament
should be taken into account as we embark on the new
parliamentary session in earnest.
"In general terms I believe that the performance of the
Parliament as a whole would be enhanced through greater
spontaneity, more time for backbench speeches and some
flexibility in, or an extension to the working hours of the
parliament.
"In terms of First Minister Questions, I would be very
keen to see more time devoted to questions. Perhaps
extending the time allocated from 20 minutes to 30 minutes
but ensuring that the new arrangement would extend the
opportunity for questions from the backbenches.
"I have regularly received representations from schools
and their teachers about the timetabling of FMQs. The
current 3.30 finish time is often too late within the
school day for some schools to stay in Edinburgh. Using a
slot before lunchtime on a Thursday would I believe make
sense. It would free up time for debates on a Thursday
afternoon, and make FMQs more accessible for the
public.
"I am also interested in the idea of making First
Minister's Questions themselves more flexible rather than
the rigid structure that they are just now. Perhaps by
allowing the leaders of the opposition to ask their
questions on the back of written questions from
backbenchers, and allowing more time for supplementaries
from the backbenches. I think this might make FMQ's more
free flowing and natural.
"I also believe it would be good for the Parliament if
the Convenors of Committees could question the First
Minister in public on a twice-yearly basis, further
enhancing the status and profile of the Parliament's
Committee system, one of the clear successes of the
Scottish Parliament.
"Finally, it is important that the leaders of both the
smaller parties are given their chance to question the
First Minister. Perhaps a way of dealing with this would be
to give each a slot every fortnight, recognising their new
position.
"Regarding Scottish Executive Questions, I believe the
accountability of Ministers could be improved by designing
question time on a thematic basis.
"For example, the Parliament could spend an entire
question time session questioning the health ministers.
This would allow for the questions and points made by
backbenchers to reach a greater depth that the current
system allows for. Clearly, there must remain to be
provision for current and topical issues to be raised in
other areas. But I do believe there is a case for the whole
Question Time slot to be radically changed and I have asked
Patricia Ferguson to consider this matter in more
detail.
"The changes I have suggested to FMQs would, I
understand, require relatively straight forward changes to
the Standing Orders, assuming the Procedures Committee is
content, and I hope that any changes could be in place for
Parliament's return after the summer recess.
"Fundamentally, I believe that the status and
credibility of the Parliament will be enhanced in the eyes
of the public if we can encourage longer debates, greater
backbench involvement and a move away from the perception
that debates are almost pre-programmed on a party political
basis.
"I have copied this letter to the Leaders of the other
parties in the Parliament and would be grateful if you
could forward this letter to the Procedures Committee for
its consideration before the summer recess."