§ Mr. McLeishI beg to move amendment No. 46, in page 20, line 8, at end insert—
`( ) The First Minister shall not seek Her Majesty's approval for any appointment under this section without the agreement of the Parliament.'.Amendment No. 46 fulfils the commitment that I gave in Committee to my hon. Friend the Member for Falkirk, East (Mr. Connarty), and will provide a role for the Parliament in the appointment of junior Scottish Ministers. That will bring the appointment procedure for junior Ministers into line with that for other Scottish Ministers.The Bill requires the Parliament to nominate the First Minister, who will be appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Presiding Officer. The First Minister will have to obtain the agreement of the Parliament and the approval of Her Majesty before appointing Scottish Ministers, and the amendment provides a similar role for the Parliament in the appointment of junior Scottish Ministers.
Amendment agreed to.