In the Scottish Parliament

Our influencing work with the Scottish Parliament includes monitoring and contribution to:

• Motions: Motions are used by MSPs to initiate debate or propose a course of action. They can be logged for debate in Parliament to propose that legislation is agreed, passed, or simply to generate support. Other MSPs can sign up in support of motions that have been lodged.

On World Asthma Day 2006 the following motion was tabled on behalf of Asthma UK Scotland:

Cathy Peattie (Labour): World Asthma Day and Asthma Control

'That the Parliament welcomes the aim of World Asthma Day on Tuesday 2 May 2006 which highlights the importance of people with asthma being in control of their condition; notes with concern that four out of five people with asthma in the United Kingdom are currently not in control of their condition, resulting in over three million adults experiencing symptoms, such as the inability to exercise and lack of sleep, which impact unnecessarily on their daily lives; supports the launch of Asthma UK Scotland's Asthma Control Test, a quick five-part questionnaire designed to help people understand how to control their asthma, and believes that, by raising awareness of this issue, more people will be in control of their asthma rather than controlled by their asthma.'

• Debates: Proceedings in the Parliament involving discussion by MSPs, usually based on a motion (sometimes with amendments) moved at the beginning of the debate. Debates may sometimes take place on a subject, without there being a motion, or on a motion that is not moved. When the Parliament is discussing an issue of interest to people with asthma Asthma UK Scotland often sends in a briefing note to MSPs.    
• Parliamentary questions: These are used by MSPs to seek information or explanation from Ministers. Questions can be posed for oral or written answer.