The Work of a Member of The Scottish Parliament

Areas of Responsibility of the Scottish Parliament

MSPs deal with the issues for which the Scottish Parliament is responsible. These are called devolved matters. They Include:

-Health

-Education and Training

-Transport

-Social Work Services

-Housing

-Planning

-The Environment

-Economic Development

-Law and Order

-Police and Fire Services

-Local Government

-Natural and Built Heritage

-Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

-The Arts

-Sport

The Scottish Parliament can also vary taxation by up to 3p in the pound.

The United Kingdom Parliament

Other issues are known as reserved matters. They are dealt with by the UK Parliament at Westminster. They Include:

-Constitutional Matters

-UK Foreign Policy, Including the European Union

-UK Defence and National Security

-Fiscal, Economic and Monetary System

-Immigration and Nationality

-Energy: Electricity, Coal, Gas and Nuclear Energy

-Telecommunications

-Employment

-Social Security Benefits

-Equal Opportunities

The Role of an MSP

Parliamentary business is conducted in the Chamber in Plenary (Full) Session on Wednesday afternoons and Thursdays and in Committee Session on Tuesday and Wednesday Mornings.

The business of the Chamber includes debates on motions, bills and members business. Members business normally takes place at 5pm on Chamber days and is an opportunity for MSPs to raise issues of concern to them(often matters affecting their constituency)

MSPs also have a weekly opportunity to ask oral questions of the First Minister and Scottish Executive Ministers. Written questions can also be tabled for answer by Ministers. In this way Members can ensure that the Scottish Executive is accountable for all decisions made and the money spent.

In Committee Sessions, time is spent reviewing proposed new laws from the Scottish Executive or from individual MSPs. Evidence is also taken from experts on topics chosen by the Committee or passed to them as petitions raised by citizens or groups with the Public Petitons Committee. Committees are also able themselves to propose new laws.

There are 16 committees and Ross Finnie is the Deputy Convenor of the Health and Sports Committee. Committee members spend time outwith committee sessions meeting representatives from relevant bodies and visiting organisations associated with their committee work. Time away from the Chamber and Committees is spent preparing for deabtes and submitting oral or written questions to the Scottish Executive. Ross also spends time dealing with individual problems and replying to the many letters and phone calls from members of the public and interest groups.

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSPs are also involved in Cross-Party groups. These groups are made-up of members from across the parties who share an interest in a particular subject or cause. These groups may contain people outwith the Parliament.

Monday and Friday are normally devoted to Constituency business. Ross normally spends these days in his constituency office in Greenock or visiting other areas of his constituency. Weekends are often devoted to constituency business and party political activities. As the Liberal Democrats Shadow Secretary for Health Ross is a senior party member with considerable influence over the development of the Liberal Democrat Programme.