The Scottish Parliament

'The exchanges between Iain Gray MSP B.Sc. BPB* and the Rt Hon Alex Salmond MP MSP M.A. were, I suppose, worthy.' BBC Scottish Political Editor Brian Taylor, 11 th December 2008. (Footnote by Brian Taylor: *Blue Peter Badge)

The Parliamentary Bureau

Deputy Presiding Officer Patricia Godman, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and Deputy Presiding Officer Murray Tosh at the Royal Opening of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, 9 th October 2004
Image © Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body 2004

Functions

The main functions of the Parliamentary Bureau are set out in the Parliament's Standing Orders (Rule 5.1) as:

(a) to propose the Parliament's programme of business;
(b) to propose alterations to the daily business list;
(c) to propose the establishment, remit, membership and duration of any committee or sub-committee; and
(d) to determine any question regarding the competence of a committee to deal with a matter and, to determine the lead committee in relation to any matter that falls within the competence of more than one committee.

Procedures

Under Standing Orders (Rule 5.3.2), the Bureau meets in private. The Bureau always seeks to reach decisions by consensus, but where a vote is required, members carry one vote for each member of the party or group that they represent. In the event of a tie, the Presiding Officer has a casting vote.

Membership

Standing Orders state that the Parliamentary Bureau shall consist of the Presiding Officer, a representative from each political party which has five or more MSPs and a representative of any grouping of five or more members from parties with fewer than 5 MSPs or from no political party.

The Deputy Presiding Officers may also attend or chair meetings, but have no vote.

Standing Orders allow Bureau members to arrange for another member to take their place at Bureau meetings by notifying the Presiding Officer in writing in advance.

Third Parliamentary Session
9 th May 2007 -

9 th September 2008 -

Mike Rumbles replaced Robert Brown as the Lib Dem representative.

	MSP
	Alex Fergusson, MSP
	Position
	Presiding Officer & Convener of the Parliamentary Bureau
	Party
	No political affiliation
	MSP
	Bruce Crawford, MSP
	Position
	Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Scottish National Party
	MSP
	David McLetchie, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Manager
	Party
	Conservative & Unionist
	MSP
	Michael McMahon, MSP
	Position
	Shadow Minister for Parliamentary Business & Constitutional Issues
	Party
	Labour
	MSP
	Mike Rumbles, MSP
	Position
	Business Manager & Chief Whip
	Party
	Liberal Democrat

14 th April 2008 - 9 th September 2008

Michael McMahon replaced Jackie Baillie as the Labour representative.

	MSP
	Alex Fergusson, MSP
	Position
	Presiding Officer & Convener of the Parliamentary Bureau
	Party
	No political affiliation
	MSP
	Robert Brown, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Manager
	Party
	Liberal Democrat
	MSP
	Bruce Crawford, MSP
	Position
	Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Scottish National Party
	MSP
	David McLetchie, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Manager
	Party
	Conservative & Unionist
	MSP
	Michael McMahon, MSP
	Position
	Shadow Minister for Parliamentary Business & Constitutional Issues
	Party
	Labour

18 th September 2007 - 14 th April 2008

Jackie Baillie replaced Cathy Jamieson as the Labour representative.

	MSP
	Alex Fergusson, MSP
	Position
	Presiding Officer & Convener of the Parliamentary Bureau
	Party
	No political affiliation
	MSP
	Jackie Baillie, MSP
	Position
	Shadow Minister for Parliamentary Business & Constitutional Issues
	Party
	Labour
	MSP
	Robert Brown, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Manager
	Party
	Liberal Democrat
	MSP
	Bruce Crawford, MSP
	Position
	Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Scottish National Party
	MSP
	David McLetchie, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Manager
	Party
	Conservative & Unionist

14 th May 2007 - 18 th September 2007

A new Parliamentary bureau was appointed for the third term of the Scottish Parliament.
Alex Fergusson was elected as Presiding Officer in succession to George Reid on the 14 th May 2007.
Bruce Crawford (Scottish National Party) was appoined Minister for Parliamentary Business on the 16 th May.
David McLetchie was appointed Tory Parliamentary Business Manager on the 16 th May.
Cathy Jamies, the Labour Deputy Leader of the Opposition was appointed Shadow Minister for Parliamentary Business on the 18 th May.
Robert Brown was appointed Lib Dem Business Manger on the 25 th May.

	MSP
	Alex Fergusson, MSP
	Position
	Presiding Officer & Convener of the Parliamentary Bureau
	Party
	No political affiliation
	Elected 14 th May 2007
	MSP
	Robert Brown, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Manager
	Party
	Liberal Democrat
	Appointed 25 th May 2007
	MSP
	Bruce Crawford, MSP
	Position
	Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Scottish National Party
	Appointed 16 th May 2007
	MSP
	Cathy Jamieson, MSP
	Position
	Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Labour
	Appointed 18 th May 2007
	MSP
	David McLetchie, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Manager
	Party
	Conservative & Unionist
	Appointed 16 th May 2007

Second Parliamentary Session
7 th May 2003 to 2 nd April 2007

5 th September 2006 - 2 nd April 2007

Tommy Sheridan and Rosemary Byrne left the Scottish Socilaist Party to found Solidarity. This left the SSP with four MSPs, one short of the number required for representation on the bureau, so Carolyn Leckie lost her seat.

	MSP
	Rt Hon George Reid, MSP
	Position
	Presiding Officer & Convener of the Parliamentary Bureau
	Party
	No political affiliation
	MSP
	Bill Aitken, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Manager
	Party
	Conservative & Unionist
	MSP
	Chris Ballance, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Scottish Green Party
	MSP
	Margaret Curran, MSP
	Position
	Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Labour
	MSP
	George Lyon, MSP
	Position
	Deputy Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Liberal Democrat
	MSP
	Margo MacDonald, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Independent group
	MSP
	Alasdair Morgan, MSP
	Position
	Business Manager & Chief Whip
	Party
	Scottish National Party

5 th September 2005 - 5 th September 2006

Alasdair Morgan replaced Tricia Marwick as the Scottish National Party's representative on the bureau.

	MSP
	Rt Hon George Reid, MSP
	Position
	Presiding Officer & Convener of the Parliamentary Bureau
	Party
	No political affiliation
	MSP
	Bill Aitken, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Manager
	Party
	Conservative & Unionist
	MSP
	Chris Ballance, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Scottish Green Party
	MSP
	Margaret Curran, MSP
	Position
	Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Labour
	MSP
	Carolyn Leckie, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Scottish Socialist Party
	MSP
	George Lyon, MSP
	Position
	Deputy Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Liberal Democrat
	MSP
	Margo MacDonald, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Independent group
	MSP
	Alasdair Morgan, MSP
	Position
	Business Manager & Chief Whip
	Party
	Scottish National Party

13 th July 2005 - 5 th September 2005

Chris Ballance replaced Mark Ballard as the Green's representative on the bureau.

	MSP
	Rt Hon George Reid, MSP
	Position
	Presiding Officer & Convener of the Parliamentary Bureau
	Party
	No political affiliation
	MSP
	Bill Aitken, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Manager
	Party
	Conservative & Unionist
	MSP
	Chris Ballance, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Scottish Green Party
	MSP
	Margaret Curran, MSP
	Position
	Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Labour
	MSP
	Carolyn Leckie, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Scottish Socialist Party
	MSP
	George Lyon, MSP
	Position
	Deputy Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Liberal Democrat
	MSP
	Margo MacDonald, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Independent group
	MSP
	Tricia Marwick, MSP
	Position
	Business Manager & Chief Whip
	Party
	Scottish National Party

29 th June 2005 - 12 th July 2005

George Lyon replaced Tavish Scott as Deputy Minister for Parliamentary Business and Lib Dem representative on the bureau.

	MSP
	Rt Hon George Reid, MSP
	Position
	Presiding Officer & Convener of the Parliamentary Bureau
	Party
	No political affiliation
	MSP
	Bill Aitken, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Manager
	Party
	Conservative & Unionist
	MSP
	Mark Ballard, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Scottish Green Party
	MSP
	Margaret Curran, MSP
	Position
	Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Labour
	MSP
	Carolyn Leckie, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Scottish Socialist Party
	MSP
	George Lyon, MSP
	Position
	Deputy Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Liberal Democrat
	MSP
	Margo MacDonald, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Independent group
	MSP
	Tricia Marwick, MSP
	Position
	Business Manager & Chief Whip
	Party
	Scottish National Party

4 th October 2004 - 29 th June 2005

Margaret Curran replaced Patricia Ferguson as Minister for Parliamentary Business and Labour's representative on the bureau.

	MSP
	Rt Hon George Reid, MSP
	Position
	Presiding Officer & Convener of the Parliamentary Bureau
	Party
	No political affiliation
	MSP
	Bill Aitken, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Manager
	Party
	Conservative & Unionist
	MSP
	Mark Ballard, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Scottish Green Party
	MSP
	Margaret Curran, MSP
	Position
	Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Labour
	MSP
	Carolyn Leckie, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Scottish Socialist Party
	MSP
	Margo MacDonald, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Independent group
	MSP
	Tricia Marwick, MSP
	Position
	Business Manager & Chief Whip
	Party
	Scottish National Party
	MSP
	Tavish Scott, MSP
	Position
	Deputy Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Liberal Democrat

14 th September 2004 - 4 th October 2004

Tricia Marwick replaced Bruce Crawford of the Scottish National Party's representative on the bureau.

	MSP
	Rt Hon George Reid, MSP
	Position
	Presiding Officer & Convener of the Parliamentary Bureau
	Party
	No political affiliation
	MSP
	Bill Aitken, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Manager
	Party
	Conservative & Unionist
	MSP
	Mark Ballard, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Scottish Green Party
	MSP
	Patricia Ferguson, MSP
	Position
	Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Labour
	MSP
	Carolyn Leckie, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Scottish Socialist Party
	MSP
	Margo MacDonald, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Independent group
	MSP
	Tricia Marwick, MSP
	Position
	Business Manager & Chief Whip
	Party
	Scottish National Party
	MSP
	Tavish Scott, MSP
	Position
	Deputy Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Liberal Democrat

9 th September 2004 - 14 th September 2004

Following the creation of an Independent group with five members (Dennis Canavan, Margo MacDonald, Campbell Martin, John Swinburne and Jean Turner) they were entitled to a member on the Parliamentary Bureau and appointed Margo MacDonald.

	MSP
	Rt Hon George Reid, MSP
	Position
	Presiding Officer & Convener of the Parliamentary Bureau
	Party
	No political affiliation
	MSP
	Bill Aitken, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Manager
	Party
	Conservative & Unionist
	MSP
	Mark Ballard, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Scottish Green Party
	MSP
	Bruce Crawford, MSP
	Position
	Business Manager & Chief Whip
	Party
	Scottish National Party
	MSP
	Patricia Ferguson, MSP
	Position
	Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Labour
	MSP
	Carolyn Leckie, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Scottish Socialist Party
	MSP
	Margo MacDonald, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Independent group
	MSP
	Tavish Scott, MSP
	Position
	Deputy Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Liberal Democrat

2 nd June 2003 - 9 th September 2004

Three new members of the bureau were appointed on the 2 nd June 2007:
Bruce Crawford (Scottish National Party) replaced Fiona Hyslop.
Bill Aitken (Conservative & Unionist) replaced Alex Johnstone.
Tavish Scott (Liberal Democrat) replaced Euan Robson.

	MSP
	Rt Hon George Reid, MSP
	Position
	Presiding Officer & Convener of the Parliamentary Bureau
	Party
	No political affiliation
	MSP
	Bill Aitken, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Manager
	Party
	Conservative & Unionist
	MSP
	Mark Ballard, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Scottish Green Party
	MSP
	Bruce Crawford, MSP
	Position
	Business Manager & Chief Whip
	Party
	Scottish National Party
	MSP
	Patricia Ferguson, MSP
	Position
	Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Labour
	MSP
	Carolyn Leckie, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Scottish Socialist Party
	MSP
	Tavish Scott, MSP
	Position
	Deputy Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Liberal Democrat

12 th May 2003 - 2 nd June 2003

A new Parliamentary bureau was appointed for the second term of the Scottish Parliament.
George Reid was elected as Presiding Officer in succession to Lord Steel of Aikwood on the 8 th May 2003 and became Convenor of the Parliamentary Bureau on the 12 May 2003.
The four previous party representatives on the Bureau continued in office until the 2 nd June 2003, when the Scottish National Party, Conservatives and the Liberals made changes.
The Greens, with seven MSPs, were entitled to a member on the bureau and appointed Mark Ballard.
The Scottish Socialists, with six MSPs, were also entitled to a member on the bureau and appointed Caroline Leckie.

	MSP
	Rt Hon George Reid, MSP
	Position
	Presiding Officer & Convener of the Parliamentary Bureau
	Party
	No political affiliation
	MSP
	Mark Ballard, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Scottish Green Party
	MSP
	Patricia Ferguson, MSP
	Position
	Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Labour
	MSP
	Fiona Hyslop, MSP
	Position
	Business Manager & Chief Whip
	Party
	Scottish National Party
	MSP
	Alex Johnstone, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Manager
	Party
	Conservative & Unionist
	MSP
	Carolyn Leckie, MSP
	Position
	Parliamentary Business Spokesperson
	Party
	Scottish Socialist Party
	MSP
	Euan Robson, MSP
	Position
	Deputy Minister for Parliamentary Business
	Party
	Liberal Democrat

First Parliamentary Session
12 th May 1999 to 31 st March 2003

27 th November 2001 - 31 st March 2003

Patricia Ferguson replaced Tom McCabe as Minister for Parliament and became Labour's representative on the Bureau.

	MSP
	Rt Hon Lord Steel of Aikwood, MSP
	Position
	Presiding Officer & Convener of the Parliamentary Bureau
	Party
	No political affiliation
	MSP
	Patricia Ferguson, MSP
	Position
	Minister for Parliament
	Party
	Labour
	MSP
	Fiona Hyslop, MSP
	Position
	Shadow Minister for Parliament & Strategy
	Party
	Scottish National Party
	MSP
	Alex Johnstone, MSP
	Position
	Chief Whip & Business Manager
	Party
	Conservative & Unionist
	MSP
	Euan Robson, MSP
	Position
	Deputy Minister for Parliament
	Party
	Liberal Democrat

27 th June 2001 - 27 th November 2001

Fiona Hyslop replaced Bruce Crawford, the Scottish National Party's Business Manager, and Shadow Minister for Broadcasting & Gaelic as Shadow Minister for Parliament & Strategy and became the SNP's representative on the bureau.
Alex Johnstone replaced Lord Selkirk of Douglas as the Tory Chief Whip and Business Manager and became the Tory representative on the Bureau.

	MSP
	Rt Hon Lord Steel of Aikwood, MSP
	Position
	Presiding Officer & Convener of the Parliamentary Bureau
	Party
	No political affiliation
	MSP
	Fiona Hyslop, MSP
	Position
	Shadow Minister for Parliament & Strategy
	Party
	Scottish National Party
	MSP
	Alex Johnstone, MSP
	Position
	Chief Whip & Business Manager
	Party
	Conservative & Unionist
	MSP
	Tom McCabe, MSP
	Position
	Minister for Parliament
	Party
	Labour
	MSP
	Euan Robson, MSP
	Position
	Deputy Minister for Parliament
	Party
	Liberal Democrat

12 th March 2001 - 27 th June 2001

Euan Robson replaced Tavish Scott as Liberal Democrat Business Manager & Whip, becoming Deputy Minister for Parliament and the Lib Dem's representative on the bureau.

	MSP
	Rt Hon Lord Steel of Aikwood, MSP
	Position
	Presiding Officer & Convener of the Parliamentary Bureau
	Party
	No political affiliation
	MSP
	Bruce Crawford, MSP
	Position
	Business Manager, Shadow Minister for Broadcasting & Gaelic
	Party
	Scottish National Party
	MSP
	Tom McCabe, MSP
	Position
	Minister for Parliament
	Party
	Labour
	MSP
	Rt Hon Lord Selkirk of Douglas, MSP
	Position
	Chief Whip & Business Manager
	Party
	Conservative & Unionist
	MSP
	Euan Robson, MSP
	Position
	Deputy Minister for Parliament
	Party
	Liberal Democrat

30 th October 2000 - 12 th March 2001

Tavish Scott replaced Iain Smith as Liberal Democrat Business Manager & Whip, and the Lib Dem's representative on the bureau.

	MSP
	Rt Hon Lord Steel of Aikwood, MSP
	Position
	Presiding Officer & Convener of the Parliamentary Bureau
	Party
	No political affiliation
	MSP
	Bruce Crawford, MSP
	Position
	Business Manager, Shadow Minister for Broadcasting & Gaelic
	Party
	Scottish National Party
	MSP
	Tom McCabe, MSP
	Position
	Business Manager & Chief Whip
	Party
	Labour
	MSP
	Rt Hon Lord Selkirk of Douglas, MSP
	Position
	Chief Whip & Business Manager
	Party
	Conservative & Unionist
	MSP
	Tavish Scott, MSP
	Position
	Deputy Business Manager & Whip
	Party
	Liberal Democrat

26 th September 2000 - 30 th October 2000

Bruce Crawford replaced Michael Russell as the Scottish National Party's Business Manager, Shadow Minister for Broadcasting & Gaelic, and the SNP's representative on the bureau.

	MSP
	Rt Hon Lord Steel of Aikwood, MSP
	Position
	Presiding Officer & Convener of the Parliamentary Bureau
	Party
	No political affiliation
	MSP
	Bruce Crawford, MSP
	Position
	Business Manager, Shadow Minister for Broadcasting & Gaelic
	Party
	Scottish National Party
	MSP
	Tom McCabe, MSP
	Position
	Business Manager & Chief Whip
	Party
	Labour
	MSP
	Rt Hon Lord Selkirk of Douglas, MSP
	Position
	Chief Whip & Business Manager
	Party
	Conservative & Unionist
	MSP
	Iain Smith, MSP
	Position
	Deputy Business Manager & Whip
	Party
	Liberal Democrat

17 th May 1999 - 26 th September 2000

The first Parliamentary bureau of the new Scottish Parliament was appointed on the 17 th May 1999.
Lord Steel of Aikwood, who was elected as Presiding Officer on the 12 th May 1999 became Convenor of the Parliamentary Bureau.
Four party representatives were appointed to the Bureau:
Tom McCabe, Labour's Business Manager & Chief Whip.
Iain Smith, Lib Dem Business Manager and Whip
Michael Russell, the Scottish National Party's Business Manager, Shadow Minister for Broadcasting & Gaelic, and
The Rt Hon Lord Selkirk of Douglas, Tory Chief Whip & Business Manager.

	MSP
	Rt Hon Lord Steel of Aikwood, MSP
	Position
	Presiding Officer & Convener of the Parliamentary Bureau
	Party
	No political affiliation
	MSP
	Tom McCabe, MSP
	Position
	Business Manager & Chief Whip
	Party
	Labour
	MSP
	Michael Russell, MSP
	Position
	Business Manager, Shadow Minister for Broadcasting & Gaelic
	Party
	Scottish National Party
	MSP
	Rt Hon Lord Selkirk of Douglas, MSP
	Position
	Chief Whip & Business Manager
	Party
	Conservative & Unionist
	MSP
	Iain Smith, MSP
	Position
	Deputy Business Manager & Whip
	Party
	Liberal Democrat