| 31 December 2006 |
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| Holyrood during the festive season |
 The Scottish Parliament is in recess until business begins again on 8 January 2007. The Parliament will be open to visitors from 28 - 31 December inclusive, and from 3 January onwards. Opening times are 10 am to 4 pm and last admission is 45 minutes before closing. See the visiting Holyrood section for more information including how to book a guided tour. Details of the next committee and chamber business can be seen in the Business Bulletin. |
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| Exhibition highlights suffrage campaign |
 An exhibition on the women's suffrage movement in Scotland can be seen in the main hall of the Scottish Parliament. "If I can’t vote, I don’t count" looks at how women gained support for their campaign for the vote, and the sense of achievement when the law was finally changed. Visitors can also view a new artwork celebrating women's contribution to furthering democracy. See more information on visiting the exhibition over Christmas and New Year. |
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| Justice 2 Committee welcomes Custodial Sentences and Weapons Bill |
 A bill which aims to end Scotland’s current system of unconditional automatic early release of prisoners has been welcomed, by majority, in a stage 1 report by the Scottish Parliament’s Justice 2 Committee. The committee is however calling on the Scottish Executive to provide further clarity on a number of issues and questions surrounding proposals in the Custodial Sentences and Weapons (Scotland) Bill particularly relating to the management of sentences. The stage 1 debate of the bill is expected to take place early in the New Year. |
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| Disability Equality Scheme |
 Under the new duties of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 public bodies must publish disability equality schemes to effectively promote equality of opportunity and eliminate discrimination against disabled people. The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body’s approved Disability Equality Scheme has been published following extensive consultation with a wide variety of individuals, disability organisations, MSPs, their staff and Parliament staff. |
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| Call for evidence on the Cairngorms National Park Boundary Bill |
 Views on the general principles of the Cairngorms National Park Boundary Bill are being sought by the Environment and Rural Development Committee. Committee convener Sarah Boyack MSP said: "This bill proposes to extend the Cairngorms National Park with the effect that certain communities in the Blair Atholl and surrounding areas could be included in the Park. The committee is very keen to ensure that it hears from those who would be affected by this." Written evidence should be submitted by Monday 22 January 2007. |
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| Holyrood to host the UK’s first Microsoft Government Leaders’ Forum |
 The 2007 Microsoft Government Leaders’ Forum for Europe will take place at the Scottish Parliament in January. The forum will include an address by Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, and brings together Prime Ministers, Ministers, EU Commissioners and policy advisers from across Europe. This will be the first time that the conference, supported by a partnership of the Parliament and the Scottish Executive, has been hosted in the UK. |
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