Minutes

The minutes were noted by the Committee for publication.

The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport would be making a statement on Tata Steel.

The statement by the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport on the Blue Badge Scheme was withdrawn and would be issued as a written statement instead.

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 10 February 2016 –

• Debate by Individual Members under Standing Order 11.21(iv) (60 mins)
• Debate on the Children, Young People and Education Committee report on Supply Teaching (60 mins)
• Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)
• Stage 4 Debate on the Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Bill (15 mins)

The Committee considered a paper from the Government regarding a Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) in relation to the Access to Medical Treatments (Innovation) Bill.

Business Managers agreed to refer the LCM to the Health and Social Care Committee for scrutiny. The Business Committee also agreed that the Committee should report on the LCM by Thursday 25 February 2016 to allow the Legislative Consent Motion to be debated in Plenary on Tuesday 1 March 2016.

On 8 December 2015, the Committee considered a paper proposing draft amendments to Standing Order 26A in relation to Private Bills, to extend its scope to include missing elements and to bring it in line with procedure in other places. The paper also set out proposals to introduce a procedure for Hybrid Bills, which is currently not included in Standing Orders.

Following consultation with Party Groups, Business Managers agreed in principle to the proposed changes to Standing Orders. The Committee also noted that final drafts of the new Standing Orders would be presented for Business Committee agreement after any changes to Standing Order 26 arising from the recommendations of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee’s report on ‘Making Laws in Wales’ had been agreed.

Business Managers considered a draft of the Business Committee’s Legacy Report and agreed to provide comments to the Clerk directly, rather than take back to their groups. A draft report would be brought to the Committee for consideration at a future meeting, and the final report would reflect any conclusions reached in the meantime on electing committee chairs.