4. The main objectives for participation, as set by the CPA Scotland Branch Executive Committee, were to:

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1 CPA SCOTLAND BRANCH DELEGATE S REPORT 22 nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Seminar held in New Delhi, India November 2011 Introduction 1. The CPA Scotland Branch Executive Committee advertised an opportunity for MSPs to attend the aforementioned seminar. I was fortunate to be selected. 2. The seminar was attended by a representative number of delegates from across CPA Regions. The number of delegates invited to attend is strictly limited therefore Scotland Branch was extremely honoured to have been invited. 3. This seminar was an intensive learning exercise in parliamentary matters. The seminar theme was Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy. The focus of the seminar was all about developing the skills of new parliamentarians. I took part in all 13 formal sessions. Objectives 4. The main objectives for participation, as set by the CPA Scotland Branch Executive Committee, were to: a) Develop the skills, knowledge and understanding for new parliamentarians; b) Raise awareness to other delegates about the city of Glasgow hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2014; c) Promote the Scottish Parliament as a forward looking, participative, progressive model of democracy. Added value 5. As a member of the Scottish Parliament s Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee (SPPA) I found it timely to be able to meet so many other parliamentarians and have the opportunity to discuss their sitting times etc with them. I am sure the experience I gained will assist me to inform the SPPA Committee s current inquiry into parliamentary reform.

2 6. I also chaired the session on The Parliamentary and Political Scene in India which gave an insight into the challenges facing one of the world s largest democracies. It was interesting to learn that despite the differences between India and Scotland, many of the issues affecting parliamentarians are surprising similar. 7. I gave a presentation on Financial Scrutiny of the Executive and took questions on the subject which were wide-ranging and varied. The Indian Secretariat disseminated the SPICe briefings on the budget procedure, the Financial Scrutiny Unit, and my speaking notes to the other delegates. 8. I actively took part in the round table discussions sharing information about the Scottish system of parliamentary procedures and practice. Learning outcomes 9. Meeting so many parliamentarians from all over the world was very interesting indeed. Even though we all face resource issues relative to our economies, it appears we all share very similar issues and concerns in relation to our role as parliamentarians. 10. Parliamentarians all over the world also concern themselves with the time they can spend in their constituencies and in Parliament. They also have similar concerns about voter apathy and communicating with the electorate. 11. There was a commonality of views in relation to the relationship between parliamentarians and the media. 12. From the discussions I participated in, I think that we are right to carry out a review of parliamentary time in this session. Some of the delegates I spoke with met as a parliament around the same amount of days per month as the Scottish Parliament. 13. From what I learned, it seems that all parliaments face issues about public perception and mistrust of politicians. Overall summary 14. I found this seminar a very useful experience. Because there were only around 20 delegates in total, including the organisers around the table, there was plenty of opportunity to ask questions of other delegates about their particular models of parliamentary democracy. 15. The sessions were numerous and many participants felt the 9.00am 6.00pm days were too long.

3 16. I built up good relationships with many of the delegates particularly with the South African and the Samoan delegates. I will be keeping in touch with many of the new colleagues I met and would like to take up the invitations to visit their countries through involvement with the CPA. 17. I learnt a great deal about global democracy and the challenges facing our Commonwealth partners. 18. This was certainly worthwhile as a learning curve for me and for letting our Commonwealth partners know that we too are a new parliament. 19. I like to think I educated the other delegates on what is happening in Scotland at this time and on what our ambitions are for the future. 20. I would like the opportunity to attend the 5th Women s World Conference, the Commonwealth Women s Parliamentarians Conference in 2013 and further CPA events in the future. 21. I would like to thank the Scottish Branch for giving me the opportunity to visit India and hope that I will be considered for future conferences/seminars. 22. If anyone would like more information about this report please contact the Branch Secretary. Contact details as follows: E mail: Margaret.neal@scottish.parliament.uk Telephone: (0) Fax: (0)

4 22 nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Seminar November 2011, New Delhi Final programme Friday 25 November 1030 Hrs. Session 1 - The Commonwealth and the Role of the CPA: Chair: Hon. Craig Baumann, MP New South Wales, Australia Presenter: Dr William F. Shija, CPA Secretary-General 1200 Hrs. Session 2 The Parliamentary and Political Scene in India Chair: Ms. Margaret McDougall, MSP Scottish Parliament, United Kingdom Shri M. Rama Jois, MP Rajya Sabha, India 1415 Hrs Session 3 The Role of the Presiding Officer, the Parliamentary Staff and the Standing Orders Chair: Hon. Jairam Seemungal, MP Deputy Speaker Trinidad & Tobago Shir S. Balshekar Additional Secretary Lok Sabha, India Hon. Craig Baumann, MP New South Wales, Australia 1530 Hrs. Session 4 The MP and the Political Party Chair: Hon. Sipho Caiphas NKOSI MPL ANNEX A

5 Kwazulu Natal, South Africa Shri Gurudas Dasgupta, MP Lok Sabha, India Shri S.S. Ahluwalia, MP Rajya Sabha, India Hon. Yves Francois Blanchet, MNA Quebec, Canada 1645 Hrs. Session 5 Parliamentary Ethics, Transparency and Accountability Chair: Hon. Parm Gill, MP Canada Hon. Jim Wilkinson, MLC, Tasmania, Australia Hon. Achala Jagodage, MP Sri Lanka 1845 Hrs. Saturday, 26 November 0930 Hrs. to 1045 Hrs. Return to Hotel Leave Hotel for Parliament Library Building Session 6 Parliamentary Committees and the Committee System Chair: Hon. (Dr.) Maua Abeid Daftari, MP Tanzania Hon. Michael Mischin, MLC Western Australia Shir S. Balshekar Additional Secretary Lok Sabha Secretariat India 1100 Hrs. to 1215 Hrs. Session 7 - The Relationship Between Parliament and the People Chair: Hon. Lucas Kipkosgei Chepkitony, MP Kenya

6 Hon. Parm Gill, MP Canada 1230 Hrs. Session 8 Financial Scrutiny of the Executive Chair: Mr. Jairam Seemungal, MP Deputy Speaker, Trinidad & Tobago Ms. Margaret McDougall, MSP Scottish Parliament Shri N.K. Singh, MP Rajya Sabha, India 1430 Hrs. Session 9 Parliament, the Executive and the Public Service Chair: Hon. Michael Mischin, MLC Western Australia Shri P.D. Rai, MP Lok Sabha, India 1630 Hrs. Session 10 Services for MPs Chair: Hon. David Agius, MP Malta Shri Inder Singh Namdhari, MP Lok Sabha, India Hon. Sipho Caiphas Nkosi, MPL, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa Monday, 28 November 0900 Hrs. Session 11 Parliament and HIV/AIDS Chair/Presenter: Hon. Bertha Amanda Joyce Matshoge, MPL Limpopo, South Africa

7 1000 Hrs Dr. Sundeep Khanna (Ex. Civil Servant) Principal Secretary to Hon ble Speaker, Lok Sabha, India Session 12 Parliament, Gender and Human Rights Chair: Lord Raj Loomba, CBE House of Lords, United Kingdom 1130 Hrs Ms. Yashodhara Raje Scindia, MP Lok Sabha, India Session 13 Right to Information Chair/Presenter: Shri H.K. Dua, MP, Rajya Sabha, India Dr. K. Malaisamy, Former MP Rajya Sabha & Lok Sabha, India Mr. Venkatesh Nayak Programme Coordinator, Commonwealth Human Right Initiative (CHRI) Shri B.B. Srivastava Secretary Central Information Commission Government of India

8 22 nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Seminar November 2011, New Delhi Annex B List of Delegates Region Africa Region Asia Region Australia Region Branch / Country Kenya Namibia Kwazulu Natal / South Africa Limpopo / South Africa Tanzania Zanzibar / Tanzania Zambia Punjab Province / Pakistan Sri Lanka India New South Wales / Australia Tasmania / Australia Western Australia / Australia Name of the Delegate Hon. Lucas Kipkosgei Chepkitony, Vice- Chairman, Parliamentary Agriculture Committee Hon. Kapenambili Isai Paulus, MP Hon. Sipho Caiphas NKOSI - MPL, Ms. Bertha Joy Matshoge, MP, Chairperson, Committee on Local Government and Housing Dr. the Hon. Maua Abeid Daftari, MP Hon. Abdalla Mohd. Ali (MHR) Hon. Harry Kalaba, MP Mr. Rana Tanveer Ahmad Nasir, MPA, Parliamentary Secretary Hon. Achala Suranga Mabotuwana Jagodage, MP Names not available Hon. Craig Asbjorn Baumann, MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Planning Hon. Jim Wilkinson, MLC Hon. Michael Mischin, MLC, Chairman Standing Committee on Legislation Committee British Island and Mediterranean Region Malta Hon. David Agius, MP, Government Whip Scotland Ms. Margaret Mc Dougall, MSP

9 United Kingdom Lord Raj Loomba, CBE Canada Region Canada Hon. Parm Gill, MP Quebec Branch Hon. Yves - Francois Blanchet, MNA Caribbean Americas and Atlantic Region Trinidad and Hon. Jairam Seemungal, MP, Deputy Tobago Speaker of the House Dr. William F. Shija, Secretary General, CPA CPA Secretariat Ms. Tina Ngwira, Asst. Dir. (Events Organisation) Samoa Mrs. Aliki LAVEA, Senior Parliamentary Officer other representatives from international organisations