Agenda and minutes

Lindsay Whittle was substituting for Jocelyn Davies, who sent her apologies.

The minutes were noted by the Committee for publication. 

The Leader of the House agreed that, subject to confirmation, Tuesday’s voting on the debate on the draft budget and the debate on sustainable social services would take place at the end of their respective debates.

On Wednesday, the Business Committee agreed that Voting Time would take place before the short debate.

The Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

The Committee determined the organisation of Assembly Business.

The Business Committee considered a paper from the government regarding a supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) in relation to the Protection of Freedoms Bill.  The Committee agreed to refer the LCM to the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee for scrutiny prior to it being debated in Plenary, with a reporting deadline of 24 January 2012. 

The Business Committee considered contingency options to ensure that no planned Assembly business is lost in the event of the industrial action on 30 November. 

The government agreed to bring forward the following oral questions to Tuesday 29 November:

·         Questions to the Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development (45 mins)

·         Questions to the Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage (45 mins)

Business Managers agreed that their preferred option was to extend the Plenary meetings on Tuesday 6 December and Wednesday 7 December in order to accommodate the remaining items of Assembly business scheduled for 30 November. The Business Committee agreed to give further consideration to the contingency plan at their next meeting.