Minutes

The minutes were noted by the Committee for publication.

Business Managers noted that all votes in relation to the Qualifications Wales Bill would take place during Stage 3 proceedings.

The Government proposed to hold Stage 4 of the Qualifications Wales Bill immediately after Stage 3 under Standing Order 26.48. Business Managers noted that this was a decision for the Presiding Officer and would be made at the end of Stage 3 proceedings. Should the Presiding Officer decide to allow a Stage 4 motion to pass the Bill to be moved, after the successful conclusion of Stage 3 proceedings, the Stage 4 motion would be voted on immediately as it was the last item of business.

The Presiding Officer informed Business Managers that she intended to suspend proceedings for a ten minute break before Stage 3 proceedings begin.

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 Managers noted that the Government had not scheduled an oral statement on local government reorganisation on the three week timetable of Government business and asked if the Minister for Government Business could consider prioritising the bringing forward of an oral statement the following week. The Minister agreed to consider the matter.

Business Managers asked to be reminded of the deadline to table motions for the Individual Member Debate, scheduled to take place on 8 July. Business Managers were informed that the Table Office Clerk would be sending an email to Members with details regarding tabling motions, however in the meantime, the Clerk would send a separate email following the meeting to confirm the deadline. 

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

Wednesday 8 July 2015 –

·         Debate by Individual Members under Standing Order 11.21(iv) (60 mins)

·         Debate on the Annual Compliance Report on the Assembly Commission’s Official Languages Scheme (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

Business Managers agreed the Committee Timetable for 2015 -16, commencing on 14 September with the week 1 configuration.

Business Managers confirmed spring 2016 recess dates, but agreed that the dates for Easter 2016 remain provisional for the time being and are reviewed again towards the end of the year.

Business Managers noted the schedule of Oral Questions for the First Minister, Welsh Ministers and Counsel General for 2015-16, and agreed the schedule for Assembly Commission Questions. The Minister for Government Business would provide Business Managers with a full list of the dates for questions to individual Ministers.

Consideration of this item was deferred to the following week’s meeting, pending discussions the Welsh Government would be having with party spokespeople.