Minutes

Apologies for absence were received from the Deputy Presiding Officer.

In response to Elin Jones’s query in the last meeting, the Minister for Finance and Government Business updated the Committee on the responsibilities of the Deputy Minister for Health.

The minutes were noted by the Committee for publication.

The Minister for Finance and Government Business updated the Committee on changes to Government Business on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Voting Time would be after the final item of business. On Wednesday, the Business Committee agreed that Voting Time would take place before the Short Debate.

The Government have moved the two OAQ sessions originally scheduled for Wednesday 15 October to Tuesday 14 October.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

In accordance with Standing Order 11.5(iv) Business Committee determined the organisation of business by means of weighted voting. Labour and Plaid Cymru voted in favour of re-scheduling the business from 15 October to other meetings because of the anticipated industrial action by Commission and Welsh Government staff, while the Welsh Conservatives and Welsh Liberal Democrats voted against moving the items. Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Tuesday 21 October 2014 –

·         Debate on the Public Accounts Committee Annual Report (60 mins) - moved from 15 October.

·         Short Debate - Aled Roberts (North Wales) (30 mins) - moved from 15 October.

Wednesday 22 October 2014 -

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins) - moved from 15 October.

Wednesday 5 November 2014 –

·         Questions to the Assembly Commission (15 mins)

·         The Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee Report on the Inquiry into Disqualification from Membership of the National Assembly for Wales (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

·         Short Debate - Mike Hedges (Swansea East) (30 mins)

Business Managers noted that there had been no motions tabled by individual Members for debate on 15 October. Because of the industrial action scheduled for that day, Business Managers agreed that the item would be neither replaced nor rescheduled.

Business Committee agreed that another Individual Member Debate should be scheduled for Wednesday 3 December 2014, and agreed to take steps to encourage members to table motions.