Working Group on Scotland Without Nuclear Weapons: 9 April 2008
Planned work programme
Objective
The objective of the Group is to explore the five key themes within the remit and to provide advice for Ministers on these matters.
Aspiration
It is proposed that the Group should aim to produce a progress report, covering the five identified themes, by the end of the first year. This report would be submitted by the Group to Mr Crawford, acting on behalf of Scottish Ministers.
Proposed structure of meetings and business
It is proposed that, in order to enable work to advance on each of the five themes concurrently, a small number of individuals should be identified to lead on each theme on behalf of the Group. It is envisaged that lead individuals will co-ordinate the Group's activity under the relevant theme and take the lead in ensuring that the relevant chapter of the report reflected the wider position of the Group. Lead individuals will also be responsible for liaising and consulting with external individuals with relevant expertise, identified by the Group. A list of the agreed lead members is attached at Annex A.
It is envisaged that the work programme for the forthcoming meetings will be structured as follows:
Meeting 1: Governance arrangements
Introduction to theme 1 (economic impact)
Introduction to theme 3 (the Non-Proliferation Treaty)
Introduction to theme 4 (legislative framework)
Meeting 2: Introduction to theme 2 (international legal opinions)
Introduction to theme 5 (Scotland's contribution to peace)
Progress updates on themes 1, 3 and 4
Meeting 3: Progress update on all themes
Discussion on drafting of report
Meeting 4: Progress update on all themes
Consideration of draft chapters
Meeting 5: Group to consider draft report for submission to Ministers.
This will subject to progress made and should not be regarded as definitive.
Dates/timing
It is envisaged that, subject to diaries, meetings will be held in August 2008 (meeting 2), November 2008 (meeting 3), February 2009 (meeting 4) and April 2009 (meeting 5). Annex A
Working Group on Scotland Without Nuclear Weapons: 9 April 2008
Planned work programme
Identification of lead responsibilities
Theme 1: in the event of a decision to remove nuclear weapons from HM Naval Base Clyde, to examine the economic impact and to identify options for the development of alternative employment opportunities.
Lead members: Dave Moxham, Rev. Ian Galloway, Cllr James Robb
Theme 2: explore the various international opinions that exist on the legality of nuclear weapons so far as relevant to matters within the devolved competence of the Scottish Government.
Lead members: Scott Blair, John Deighan, Professor William Walker, Dr Rebecca Johnson
Theme 3: explore the implications of seeking observer status at Non-Proliferation Treaty meetings and advise the Scottish Government on that process
Lead members: Dr Rebecca Johnson, Professor William Walker
Theme 4: consider the adequacy of the current licensing and regulatory framework that exists in relation to HM Naval Base Clyde in relation to environmental, planning and transport issues.
Lead members: Alan MacKinnon, Dr Richard Dixon, Scott Blair
Theme 5: Identify good practice elsewhere in the world in developing peace and reconciliation and consider how Scotland might contribute to this work..
Lead members: Isobel Lindsay, Osama Saeed, Gillian Slider
Report to Ministers with advice, within the context of their devolved responsibilities, on a regular basis
Lead - Bruce Crawford, Minister for Parliamentary Business