A special Members’ debate for MSPs and a meeting for the Commonwealth members of the Consular Corp, hosted by the Presiding Officer, Alex Fergusson MSP, will be held today to mark Commonwealth Day, which took place on Monday 8 March.
At 5pm in the main Chamber, Members will debate current issues affecting the Commonwealth before meeting with Commonwealth representatives from across the world, including Australia, Namibia and Rwanda. Both events are organised by the Scotland Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).
Commonwealth Day is held annually on the second Monday in March. On that day, as Head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty the Queen delivers an address to the Commonwealth, broadcast throughout the world.
The Scottish Government must take action now to improve NHS computing systems as patients are missing out on better care and treatment, warns a report from the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee.
Issues to be tackled include the safeguarding of patient privacy, timescales and continuity for the national roll out of “telehealth” schemes and tackling resistance from medical staff in using technology.
Business in the Chamber begins on Wednesday at 2.30pm with Time for Reflection given by Sister Isabel Smyth, Honorary Lecturer at Glasgow University’s Centre for Inter Faith Studies and Secretary to the Catholic Bishops Committee for Inter Religious Dialogue.
The three topics on which the committee is inviting evidence are as follows: • new offences relating to stalking • sentencing for knife crime • offence of engaging in paid-for sexual activity (and related new offences)
More information on the call for evidence is available on the committee’s web page. The closing date for written submissions is Wednesday 17 March.
Committee convener Ross Finnie MSP said: “A wide variety of groups and individuals, from medical practitioners to charities and lawyers in the UK and overseas, will have a view on the issue of assisted death.
“We want to hear from as many of them as possible to help us shape our consideration of the Bill as it progresses through Parliament.”
