To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether a simplified employment process could be introduced for temporary staff working for just two or three days, for reasons such as covering sickness. (S6O-03581)

I was caught off guard, Presiding Officer. I did not think that we would get to number 8.

The corporate body recognises that MSPs’ staffing requirements can fluctuate over time in response to a range of circumstances. The SPCB seeks to operate arrangements that meet MSPs’ needs, while ensuring that the provisions of the reimbursement of members’ expenses scheme are met and that MSPs carry out their responsibilities as employers in accordance with employment law requirements.

Sometimes, I employ somebody for just one or two days to cover, for example, a funeral, sickness, unexpected leave or jury duty. We are expected to have an 11-page contract issued and signed, which seems a little bit over the top.

I note the point that Mr Mason makes. If it is possible for people services to be given advance notice of the potential arrival of a very short-term employee, it can facilitate a discussion with the member about how that might be progressed.

However, where, in effect, the individual has been employed and we are notified of that after the event, there is a requirement for us to abide by employment law provisions. I know that Mr Mason is an assiduous attacker of bureaucracy in those regards but, unfortunately, it is nonetheless a bureaucracy that is required as a result of the employment law by which we are bound.

That concludes Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body question time. I apologise to the one member who I was simply unable to squeeze in. I did my best to get us through as many questions as possible.

There will be a short pause before we move to the next item of business, to allow front-bench teams to change position should they so wish.