How is time in the Chamber allocated?
The Parliamentary Bureau is responsible for proposing the allocation of time in the Chamber. The Scottish Government party (or parties) gets most of the debating time. However, the Parliamentary Bureau has to ensure that on 16 half sitting days in each parliamentary year priority is given to business chosen by the Opposition parties and groups, and on 12 half sitting days in each parliamentary year priority is given to business chosen by the Parliaments committees. (Parliamentary business days are divided into morning and afternoon sessions, each of which makes up a half sitting day.) Debating time is allocated to the Opposition parties and groups broadly in proportion to the number of seats they hold in the Parliament. In addition, the Parliamentary Bureau has to make sure that enough time is set aside for the First Minister to make statements to a meeting of the Parliament. For example, the First Minister periodically makes a statement on the Government’s legislative programme, setti
