Date

Event

Country

Request / Action / State of Play / Comments

Duration (Days)

03.09.02

The Committee on Fundamental National Policies

Japan

Mr Yukihiro Ikeda, Chairman and Members of the Committee on Fundamental National Policies, Japan are visiting to look at first hand the Scottish Parliament's model of devolution. Direct request from the Japanese Consul General.

1/2 day

04 and 05.09.02

Estonian Environment Committee

Estonia

Delegation will meet counterparts in Edinburgh, tours, lunch hosted by George Reid MSP, Deputy Presiding Officer. They will also meet officials from the Scottish Executive.

2 days

04.09.02

Mr Myron Kowalsky

Canada

Mr P Myron Kowalsky, Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly, Canada visiting Parliament to meet counterpart and find our more about devolution. Direct request from the Speaker's office.

1 day

04.09.02

Group from Ministry of Environment

Norway

Study Group from Planning Law Revision Secretariat, Ministry of Environment, Norway

1/2 day

05.09.02

Emma Stevenson

USA

Visit by Vice Consul, British Consulate. To meet External Liaison Unit; get update on how Parliament is doing. Will also meet representatives from Executive, Scottish Development International, Scottish Arts Council and tourist board

1 day

05.09.02

Mr Cameron McKay

Canada

Request from Clerk of the House of Assembly, Newfoundland and Labrador. 2nd year student page studying in UK is interested in historical and political background to establishment of parliament.

1/2 day

06.09.02

The Committee on Judicial affairs

Japan

Chairman and Members of the Committee on Judicial Affairs, Japan are visiting to look at first hand the Scottish Parliament's model of devolution and Scotland's jury system. Direct request from the Japanese Consul General.

1/2 day

09 to 14.09.02

CPA Annual Conference

Namibia

Colin Campbell MSP and Keith Harding MSP attend Conference (one delegate / one observer). Wales Secretary attending as support to all Members attending from the devolved legislatures - Scotland, Wales and Northern <a href="../countries/ireland.htm">Ireland</a>..

5 days

10.09.02

The Rt Hon Helen Liddell MP

UK

The Rt Hon Helen Liddell MP, Secretary of State for Scotland visit. Presiding Officer hosting lunch, invitees - DPOs, Party Leaders.

1/2 day

11.09.02

Study visit by Norwegian officials and Councillors

Norway

A group from local government in Norway to learn about local government in Scotland, links between culture and industry, use of internet, relations with EU, role of ombudsman.

1 day

11.09.02

Estonian Study visit

Estonia

Direct request from British Association for Central and Eastern Europe. Meetings with Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee and Transport and Environment Committee.

1 day

12.09.02

Mr Liu Jingxue

China

Mr Jingxue, newly appointed Chinese Consul General. Courtesy call with the Presiding Officer.

1/2 day

12.09.02

Mr S Salas

Spain

Mr Salas, newly appointed Spanish Consul General. Courtesy call with the Presiding Officer.

1/2 day

17 and 18.09.02

Uffe Wikstrom

Nordic Council

Visiting Parliament to discuss arrangements for the Nordic Council/Council of Ministers Seminar on Tuesday 19 November 2002

1 1/2 days

18 and 19.09.02

Delegation from Alberta Parliament

Canada

Five delegates led by Speaker Kowalski. To learn about the genesis and functioning of the Parliament. Approach from Dr David McNeil, Clerk of Alberta Legislative Assembly.

2 days

19.09.02

Mr Hamisini Geno

Papua New Guinea

The Chief Ombudsman, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea visiting Scottish Parliament to find out more about the devolution settlement to date. Direct request from the FCO via the Executive.

1/2 day

19.09.02

Group from Skane region

Sweden

Group from Department of National & International Relations. Tours, meeting with the Clerk of the European Committee

1 day

19.09.02

Sir William McKay, Clerk of the House of Commons

UK

Sir William was invited by Paul Grice. The Presiding Officer to host a lunch with directors and possibly others. A full programme of meetings organised.

1 day

19.09.02

The Rt Hon Michael Martin MP

UK

Speaker of the House of Commons, direct request from his office. Attending lunch being hosted by the Presiding Officer for the Clerk of the House (visit above).

1/2 day

19.09.02

Study visit - parliamentary staff from Slovakia

Slovakia

Study visit on theme of 'Engaging with Citizens', with aim of strengthening parliamentary procedures in advance of EU accession. DfID-funded project. ELU/RIG/PO office to organise

3 days

20.09.02

Arlaine Flynn, British Embassy, Washington

USA

Visit to the Scottish Parliament to find out about devolution and the workings of the Parliament.

1 day

23 and 24.09.02

Visit to European Parliament

EP

Presiding Officer visit to the European Parliament, Strasbourg. Lunch with Pat Cox MEP, President, reception for Scottish MEPs, meeting with ELDR, CoR

2 days

24.09.02

Civil Service College

UK

As part of their "Devolution in Action Course", delegates are visiting the Parliament to find out more about devolution and the powers and working of the parliament.

1 day

24.09.02

Pierre Boyer

Quebec

Mr Boyer from the Quebec Official Delegation, London. Meeting with External Liaison Unit to discuss devolution and the Scottish Parliament.

1/2 day

25.09.02

Sarah Sawyer

Ecuador

Sarah Sawyer, locally Engaged Press & Public Affairs Officer, British Embassy, Quito visit to familiarise herself with British Government policy and institutions. Tour, observe Committee proceedings.

1/2 day

28.09 to 01.10.02

Outward delegation to Czech Parliament

Czech Republic

George Reid MSP, DPO to lead a cross-party delegation of MSPs.

4 days

30.09.02

Mr Anthony Layden

UK

UK's newly appointed Ambassador to Libya. Meeting with External Liaison Unit to discuss the Scottish Parliament and devolution in general.

1 hour