Minutes

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, Business Committee agreed that Voting Time would take place before the Short Debate.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee determined the organisation of business and agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 26 November 2014 –

·         Debate on the Enterprise and Business Committee's Follow-up report into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Skills (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

·         Short Debate - Nick Ramsay (Monmouthshire) (30 mins)

·         Short Debate - Darren Millar (Clwyd West) (30 mins)

Business Committee considered a paper from the Government regarding a Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) in relation to the Consumer Rights Bill.

Business Managers agreed to refer the LCM to the Communities, Equalities and Local Government Committee for scrutiny. The Business Committee also agreed that the Committee should report on the LCM by Thursday 20 November 2014 to allow the Legislative Consent Motion to be debated in Plenary on Tuesday 25 November 2014.

Business Committee considered a paper from the Government regarding a proposal to establish an Assembly Committee to consider the Removal of the Reasonable Punishment Defence for the Physical Chastisement of Children, along with a paper from the Secretariat outlining related issues for Business Managers to consider.

Business Managers agreed to discuss the proposal, including membership and other issues relating to the Committee, with their groups and report back to Business Committee on 11 November 2014.

Business Managers considered a paper on proposals by the CLA Committee to amend Standing Orders in relation to the Assembly’s functions.  The Committee agreed for the Secretariat to draw up proposals for amending Standing Order 30 and return to the matter at a future meeting.

Business Managers noted that the Government will be laying a Section 109 Order this week, in advance of brining a formal paper to the Committee next week.

The Minister for Government Business informed the Committee that they will be laying a Supplementary LCM on the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill this week and a paper would be brought to next week’s meeting.