Dear Mr Walton

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON MARGO MACDONALD'S PROPOSED BILL

Thank you for your request for information which we received on 15 December and in which you asked a number of questions on Margo Macdonald's proposed End of Life Choices (Scotland) Bill. Your request has being handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

You may already be aware that Margo Macdonald has simply put forward the proposal for this bill. In line with the rules for members' bills, Margo Macdonald is currently seeking the views of the public on a bill. A copy of the consultation can be found here:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/bills/MembersBills/pdfs/EndOfLifeChoicesConsultation.pdf

If you have not already done so you may wish to respond to this consultation.

Once the consultation has been completed there is a requirement for 18 other MSPs to notify the Clerk of their support for the proposal before a Bill can be introduced to Parliament.

You can find more information on the procedures for the introduction of members' bills in Section 9.14 of the Parliament's Standing Orders:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/so/sto-4.htm#9

However I can confirm that no legal advice has been sought on potential conflicts between Margo Macdonald's proposal for a bill and the Human Rights Act 1998.

I hope you find this information useful.

In keeping with our FOI procedures, this letter may be posted on the Parliament's disclosure log (usually within 24 hours). For further details on the Parliament's Disclosure Log and the information released under FOI, visit:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/corporate/FOI/

We would welcome feedback or comment on how we handled your request. Please feel free to contact the FOI Specialist at The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP or by e-mail at [Scottish Parliament request email]

Please find below Annex A, which explains how we handle FOI requests and reviews.

Yours sincerely

Steven Tallach

FOI Officer

Annex A

REQUESTS MADE UNDER

THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002

How we handle FOI requests

Information on how we handle FOI requests is available on the Parliament's website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk/corporate/foi

Alternatively, please contact the Parliament's Public Information Service to request a copy.

Review

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which we have dealt with your request for information, you can ask us to review our decision and actions. You must do this in writing (or other permanent form) within 40 working days of the date of this letter, stating the reasons for your dissatisfaction, and we will respond within 20 working days of receipt. A request for a review should be made to the FOI Specialist:

Post: FOI Specialist

The Scottish Parliament

Edinburgh

EH99 1SP

Telephone: 0131 348 6913 (RNID Typetalk calls welcome)

Textphone: 0131 348 3415

Fax: 0131 348 5378

E-mail: [Scottish Parliament request email]

Application to the Scottish Information Commissioner

If, on the outcome of any review, you are still dissatisfied, or if we are unable to resolve any other complaint, then you can contact the Scottish Information Commissioner:

Post: The Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner

Kinburn Castle

Doubledykes Road

St Andrews

Fife

KY16 9DS

Telephone: 01334 464610

Fax: 01334 464611

Website: www.itspublicknowledge.info

E-mail: [email address]

A decision by the Scottish Information Commissioner may be appealed, on a point of law, to the Court of Session.

Copyright in relation to information provided

The supply of information under FOI does not constitute permission for its use in a way that would infringe copyright. Where relevant, you should obtain permission from the copyright holder before any such use.

Feedback or comment

We would welcome feedback or comment on how we handled your request. Please contact the FOI Specialist.

Complaints

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which we dealt with your enquiry, then you may wish to raise the matter with the FOI Specialist.

How to contact us

Post: The Scottish Parliament

Edinburgh

EH99 1SP

Telephone: 0131 348 5000

0800 092 7500 (Public Enquiries)

0131 348 5395 (Ghàidhlig)

Textphone users can contact us on 0800 092 7100

We also welcome calls using the RNID Typetalk service.

Fax: 0131 348 5601

E-mail: [email address]