Holyrood's week: Indyref2 'framework' bill to be debated

independence marchImage source, Getty Images

MSPs will debate legislation this week that could pave the way for a future independence referendum.

The Referendums Bill aims to put in place a generic framework for all future referendums.

But scrutiny has focused on question testing for indyref2 and the powers ministers would have over such a vote.

Holyrood's constitution committee last week urged ministers to strike a deal with the Electoral Commission over testing the question.

It also recommended primary legislation should be required for any referendum on a constitutional issue.

What else is happening at Holyrood this week?

Tuesday - Euro 2020

Image source, SNS
Image caption,

Hampden Park will host three matches at the group state and one round of 16 game

The bulk of Tuesday afternoon will be spent on the legislation to allow four Euro 2020 matches to take place at Hampden Park.

It includes measures to prevent ticket touting and unauthorised street trading.

To that end it will create four new offences, all of which largely model those introduced ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

Before that topical questions will be on drug consumption rooms, prison officers quitting after sick-leave and a call for more support for families of people who die abroad.

Green MSP Ross Greer leads the evening's member's debate on Flamingo Land withdrawing its planning application to build a £30m tourist resort on Loch Lomond.

In the morning, the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee will take evidence from the Committee on Climate Change.

The session will focus on the government's climate change adaptation programme, in light of the newer, tougher targets.

The committee will also discuss investment priorities for Scottish Water.

Wednesday - child protection checks

Image source, Thinkstock

The education committee considers the Disclosure Bill on Wednesday morning.

The legislation will ensure background checks are carried out on everyone who works with children, including sports coaches.

Representatives for care providers, sports clubs, the Church of Scotland and justice stakeholders will be giving evidence.

The Scottish Tories have the floor in the afternoon and will split their debate time between transport and education.

The transport debate will focus on ferries, with the motion highlighting delays, cancellations and the ageing fleet.

Then the party will highlight concerns regarding the curriculum and the attainment gap.

Two member's debate are scheduled to take place: SNP MSP Bill Kidd highlights World Day Against the Death Penalty and SNP MSP Angus MacDonald marks the UN Year of Indigenous Languages and European Day of Languages.

Thursday - First minister's questions

Nicola Sturgeon will be in the chamber for her weekly Q&A - the first taking place during the 2019 General Election campaign.

This will be followed by SNP MSP George Adam calling for recognition of veterans who served in the nuclear test programme in the 1950s and 1960s.

We begin with the culture committee as it takes evidence on the BBC's annual report and accounts, with witnesses including BBC Scotland director Donalda MacKinnon.

Elsewhere the Public Petitions Committee will be discussing the use of restraint and seclusion in schools.

Children's Commission Bruce Adamson and the petitioner Beth Morrison - whose disabled son was injured after being restrained at school in 2010 - will appear before MSPs.