1. Lesson Starter The work of committees
Lesson Starter
In what ways can the Scottish Parliament be held to account?
Discuss these as a group and make a list in your notes.

2. Today we will… Success Criteria
Outline the work of committees in the Scottish Parliament.
Success Criteria
I can participate in a paired reading to summarise the work of committees

3. Timed essay- Friday 5th of October
3 areas to study:
Either 4/6 or 8 marks
Devolution in Scotland
AMS- advantages/disadvantages
The work of committees

4. As we go through the following slides take notes on some general information about committees, their roles and functions
A KU question about committees will usually be on how valuable they are scrutinising the work of Scottish Parliament.

5. MSPs have to be part of a Committee.
The Work of Committees
Committees are small groups of Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) who meet on a regular basis, usually on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday morning.
MSPs have to be part of a Committee.

6. Committees have 5 main roles:
Carry out inquiries
Report to the parliament
Closely examine bills
Suggest bills
Question Scottish ministers

8. Committees
The Committee System allows for accessibility, openness and participation.
It is generally accepted that the real work of the parliament is done in the committee rooms.
Every piece of legislation coming out the parliament will have come under the scrutiny of one or more of the committees.
Remember the stages of passing a law? Stages 1+2 scrutinises the legislation before debated by the parliament.

9. Committees and Openness
The committee system allows for the participation of as many people as possible in the democratic process.
Committees normally meet in public and can do so anywhere in Scotland, not just in the Parliament.
Since the Scottish Parliament was established in 1999, around 100 committee meetings have been held outside Edinburgh.
Most allow the public to attend- true democracy in action.

10. What does this mean?
This situation gives committees significant strength in influencing decision making in the Scottish Parliament.
Committees scrutinise every scrap of legislation.
Most amendments to bills are made during committee meetings.
Scottish Government held to account by the work of the committees.

11. Membership
Committee membership is restricted to MSPs who are not in the government- cannot hold the title of Cabinet Minister or Ministers.
The appointment of members takes account of the balance of political parties and groupings in the parliament.
Essentially the biggest party in Parliament will claim the most places on committees.

12. Gathering Evidence and Information
Most of the work of committees is gathering and recording of evidence in order to scrutinise the work of government and adequately amend laws.
Health Committee gathering evidence on smoking outside hospitals. Taking evidence from ASH and FOREST pressure groups.
Witnesses give evidence. (Doctors, Health Professionals etc.)
This work is mainly carried out when they have to scrutinise the activity of the government, scrutinise a bill, decide whether to propose a bill and consider proposals for a members bill.

13. Justice Committee Work
Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill – tackle the problem of Sectarianism- ‘Scotland’s Shame’
MSPs on the committee backed the bill to tackle sectarianism with new jail terms of up to five years by five votes to four.
Representatives from both the Celtic and Rangers supporters club also gave evidence to show both sides.
Bill was then passed.
Click on link for videos

14. These examples will be incorporated into your essays.
Task 1: PEE preparation
Using your notes and iPads fill in the table given. One has already been done for you.
For the example column research:
Committees which exist in the Scottish Parliament.
Note some examples of how committees fulfil their roles.
These examples will be incorporated into your essays.
Use the Scottish Parliament website to help you

15. Task 2: Complete the following KU question:
Explain, in detail, why the committee system ensures that the Scottish government are actively scrutinised. Give a maximum of two reasons in your answer. (6)