Date

Event

Country

Request / Action / State of Play / Comments

Duration (Days)

12 & 13.05.04

French Senators

France

Programme (pdf)

A delegation of French Senators from the French Sénat's Friendship Group will visit the Scottish Parliament.   Their visit will include meetings on the Scottish Parliament and devolution, as well as research and further education.   Their visit to Scotland will also include meetings with the Scottish Executive, COSLA and Edinburgh Council.

2

13.05.04

Delegation from the Nepali Congress

Nepal

Small delegation will visit the parliament and meet with Members from the Cross Party Group on Human Rights as well as observe parliamentary proceedings and tour new building.

1

13.05.04

HE Mr Bruno Spinner

Switzerland

Programme (pdf)

At the request of the Swiss Consul General in Edinburgh, the Ambassador of Switzerland to the UK, HE Mr Bruno Spinner, will meet with the Presiding Officer for a courtesy call. Mr Spinner has also requested a tour of the Visitors' Centre and attendance at First Minister's Question Time.

1

17 & 19.05.04

Leonie Ingram

Australia

Leonie Ingram, Director of Security Planning, Australian Parliament will with various Parliament directors to discuss security and other areas of mutual interests.

2

18.05.04

Westminster Health Select Committee

United Kingdom

The Westminster Health Select Committee will visit the Parliament's Health Committee over lunch.   They are in Edinburgh in connection with their inquiry into palliative care and have requested a meeting with their counterparts in the Scottish Parliament.

1

19 & 20.05.04

SPATS

UK

Programme (pdf)

Senior Professional Administrative Training Scheme (SPATS) will visit the Scottish Parliament to learn how devolution works and the differences with other Parliaments looking at their strengths and weaknesses.   More details to follow.

1

20 & 21.05.04

Austrian Parliament MPs

Austria

NR Wilhelm Molterer, Member of the Austrian Parliament and Chief Whip of the Austrian People's Party will visit the Scottish Parliament with a delegation from the Whips office.   The programme will include meetings on devolution and the Scottish Parliament, especially Parliamentary procedures and working practices, as well as attendance at Plenary and a tour of the Holyrood site.

1

23 to 30.05.04

Sarah Boyack MSP

Malaysia

16th CPA Parliamentary Seminar being jointly hosted by the CPA (Malaysia Branch) and CPA Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur from Sunday 23 to Sunday 30 May 2004.    Sarah Boyack MSP will represent the Scotland Branch at this Seminar.   This Seminar is being organised by the Malaysian Branch of the CPA in collaboration with CPA Headquarters.   The Seminar will enable parliamentarians to exchange views on a number of topics including - the Commonwealth and the roIe of the CPA; the Origins of Parliamentary Democracy and the History and Role of the Commonwealth in its Development; the Parliamentary and Political Scene in Malaysia; the Role of the Presiding Officer and the Staff of Parliament; the MP and the Party; Parliament, the Member and the Media; Services for Members; Parliament, Gender and Human Rights; Relationship between Parliament the Executive and the Public/Civil Service; Parliament as Masters of its Procedures; Parliamentary Committees and Committees Systems; Financial Responsibility in the Democratic Process; and the Relationship between Parliament and the People.

7