What you will learn The names of the different types of political representatives. The work of a MSP in the parliament and constituency. How a constituent can contact their MSP. How local councils are organised in Scotland. The work of a local councillor representing their constituents.

The Committee System Aim: To describe how MSPs represent their constituents through the work in the committees. To explain why committees are important for democracy in Scotland.

Who represents us? Scotland is a representative democracy. A representative is an individual who has been elected to act, speak or make decisions on behalf of other people. There are different representatives to represent us at different levels of government.

Who represents us? Citizens in Scotland are represented at many levels. Member of European Parliament (MEP) Member of Parliament (MP) Member of Scottish Parliament (MSP) Local Councillors

There are also 7 list MSPs for the North East Scotland. One example is: Alison McInnes MSP Scottish Liberal Democrats o Your Constituency MSP is currently Alex Salmond o Aberdeenshire East o Scottish National Party Representation in the Scottish Parliament In the Scottish parliament elected representatives are called Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) They were elected to represent the people of their constituency.

Here are your 7 regional MSPs… Christian Allard MSP SNP Richard Baker MSP Scottish Labour Alex Johnstone MSP Scottish Conservatives Lewis Macdonald MSP Scottish Labour Jenny Marra MSP Scottish Labour Nanette Milne MSP Scottish Conservatives Alison McInnes MSP Scottish Lib Dems

Committees Most MSPs are members of at least one committee. Each committee is given a particular area or subject to examine in detail. For example, the Education Committee considers and reports on matters relating to school and pre-school education.

The make up of a committee Committees have between 6 and 11 MSPs and members are selected to reflect the balance of parties in Parliament Normally committees are convened by an MSP from the ruling party, but the Climate Change Committee, for example, is chaired by Patrick Harvie of the Green Party in return for his support on other issues They normally meet on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when Parliament is sitting and can travel throughout Scotland

Examples of Committees at Work Finance Committee – considers government proposals and other issues concerning budgets, public spending and tax-raising Justice Committee – examines civil and criminal matters and community safety. In 2010 it is having to introduce emergency legislation to ensure that suspects cannot be questioned without their lawyers present Health and Sport – This covers matters that concerns the NHS in Scotland but also looks at Communities and Sport. In 2008 it supported the raising of the legal age for buying tobacco from 16 to 18

Committees scrutinise legislation – this means that they look closely at proposed new laws (Bills) and can propose amendments (changes). Committees conduct inquiries into specific topics within their area and can then ask Parliament to consider their findings. Committees call witnesses to inquiries and when they are examining Bills. Witnesses can be members of organisations, groups or individuals who will be affected by changes to the law. In this way committees try to find out the views of the people. Committees can also call Ministers to give evidence and in this way scrutinise the work of the Government on our behalf. Committees are also required to gather evidence to support their research and may look into public petitions from individuals who want to raise a certain issue.

Example A Committee bill Committee Bill - A Children's Commissioner for Scotland The Scottish Parliament's Education, Culture and Sport Committee agreed to conduct an inquiry into the need for a Children's Commissioner in Scotland. The consultation period lasted about a year, May February Having heard the evidence the committee decided that there was a need for a Commissioner for Children and Young People. Parliament debated the Committee's proposal. It was agreed by the majority of MSPs that a bill should be introduced. The bill received Royal Assent on 1st May 2003.

A petition is a written request, signed by many people, submitted to authority in support of a certain case. If the Public petitions Committee find that the law should be changed it then reports to the parliament and asks for the law to be changed. For example Dyce Academy in Aberdeen sent a petition to the Scottish Parliament about the sale of Fair Trade chocolate in schools. They told the petitions committee that they had been forced to cancel their weekly Fair-Trade tuck shop due to the Schools(Health Promotion and Nutrition) Act Example Public Petition’s Committee

So are committees in line with the key principles of the Scottish parliament ? Accountability It scruitinises the government. Government ministers cannot sit on committees but can be asked to appear before them. Access and Participation Individual members or groups can appear before a committee or write to them to give evidence. Sharing of Power Committees can hold enquiries, make recommendations to parliament and the government. They can even initiate legislation themselves.

Summary of the work of committees Amend laws Public petitions Gather evidence New laws Inquiries Scrutinise the government

Questions 1. Describe the make up of a committee 2. When do committees meet? 3. Give two examples of committees. 4. Explain, in detail, the work of a committee 5. What is a public petition and how can it be used by a committee? Extension (a) When you are finished develop your answer to question 3 using pages 32/33 of textbook. (b) Answer questions 4 on page 33

What have we learned today? The main role of the committees is to scrutinise legislation, conduct enquiries, call witnesses and gather evidence. The public Petitions Committee is a good way for the public to bring discussion and change to the debating chamber. For example Dyce Academy’s Fairtrade petition.

How do MSPs represent their constituents in the parliament? z4mhyrd z4mhyrd By the end of the lesson you will be able to:  Describe how MSPs represent their constituents in the Scottish Parliament.

The role of an MSP To represent their local constituents, whether it is in Parliament or their local constituency

Motions MSPs have the opportunity to put forward a motion for discussion. This is basically a proposal for parliament to do something or express an opinion about an issue. For example recently in May 2013, Richard Baker MSP – North East Scotland, lodged a motion on a local issue in Aberdeen highlighting the on-going concerns expressed in the north east over the continuing chronic congestion – believing that as the energy capital of the world, Aberdeen requires a more efficient and effective transport network.

Debate MSPs meet in the debating chamber on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. MSPs can put forward motions about problems the people they represent experience and can ask Parliament to consider how to solve them. They also debate proposals for new laws (Bills) For example, MSPs debated the Alcohol Minimum Pricing Scotland Bill. The bill received Royal Assent on 29 th June 2012.

Question Time MSPs have several opportunities to question the Scottish Ministers about Government policy in the debating chamber. First Minister's Question Time gives the leaders of the other parties and some ‘backbench' MSPs an opportunity to ask the First Minister questions directly. The First Minister is ultimately responsible for the Scottish Government's programme and must justify it's policies, and in this way is held accountable to the people of Scotland.

Ministers Question Time Another Question Time session looks at topical issues which have recently arisen and further sessions allow MSPs to ask Ministers about their department's policies. This takes place on a Thursday afternoon. It’s a 60 minute session. MSPs might raise local issues at this time which have been brought to them by members of their constituency or region.

Members Bill Each MSP can introduce two Bills during one Parliamentary session (four years). If a MSP is contacted by members of the public about an issue she/he may decide to try to get a change in the law by introducing a Member’s Bill. Alex Neil introduced the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Bill to Parliament before he became Housing & Communities Minister in Alex's colleague Christine Grahame MSP took over responsibility for the Bill and it has now been approved by the Scottish Parliament and received Royal Assent.

Decision Time At the end of each day of business in the debating chamber MSPs vote. This is called ‘decision time’ and the results of the vote can decide whether an issue passes on to the next stage of the legislative process. MSPs must consider the views of their constituents when voting, as well as any political party view. The party whip system often means that they must toe the party line!

Activities Complete all questions except 4 and 5 on page 18. It is important that you use examples when answering questions – you must be able to PEE!

Copy and complete the following table using your notes and the information on p Work of MSP in the chamber ExplanationExample Debates Voting Question Time Members Bills

Question ( 2007) MSPs can represent their constituents in the Scottish Parliament in a number of ways. Describe, in detail, ways MSPs can represent their constituents in the Scottish Parliament. (6 marks) You have 12 minutes to answer this question!

In this lesson you have learned… MSPs represent their constituents in a variety of ways within the parliament.  They debate on issues and bills  Ask the First minister and cabinet ministers questions at question time  They introduce members bills  They vote on important issues