Environment and Rural Development Committee, 22 Jun 2005
Meeting date: Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Official Report 313KB pdf
Contents
- Scottish Parliament Environment and Rural Development Committee Wednesday 22 June 2005
- Item in Private
- Rural Development Inquiry
- Subordinate Legislation
- Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill
Item in Private
I welcome members, the public and the press to the meeting. I remind everyone to turn off the sound on their phones. We have received no apologies.
Item 1 is consideration of whether to take item 5 in private. After item 4, which is evidence from the Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development on the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill, we must decide whether it is appropriate for the United Kingdom Parliament to legislate for Scotland on the matter. I suggest that the committee's view, including the result of any division, be reported to Parliament through the minutes of the meeting, rather than through a formal report. If we agree to do that, it will not be necessary to take item 5. However, if at the end of item 4 we agree that we want to make a full report to Parliament and go into private session so that members can discuss the issue, we can approve our report next week.
This is a slightly unusual situation, because no member has given me any strong feedback for or against the Scottish Executive's proposal and I have not been able to judge colleagues' views. My suggestion would give us some flexibility, which would be great. We may deal with the issue in public, depending on what we agree at the end of item 4. Are members happy with that approach?
Members indicated agreement.