European Committee, 05 Sep 2000

Meeting date: Tuesday, September 5, 2000

Official Report 137KB pdf

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Scottish Parliament European Committee Tuesday 5 September 2000 (Afternoon)

[The Convener opened the meeting at 14:06]

Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome to the 15th meeting of the European Committee this year. I am sure that you are all suitably refreshed after the recess and I hope that everyone managed to take one or two weeks' holiday. I know that one or two of our colleagues were star turns in what I am told was the highlight of the fringe. Obviously there is hidden talent in the committee. I look forward to some singing and dancing at a future meeting.

I have apologies from Sylvia Jackson, who is at the Local Government Committee. Maureen Macmillan is at another meeting and will come along later. Tavish Scott hoped to be here, but I believe that he will be delayed indefinitely because of a problem with fog—that is one of the problems with representing the islands.

I understand that Ben Wallace will be coming, but has been delayed.

Not in eastern Europe, I hope. Has he made it back from there?

Yes, he has. However, as he will be late, it might be appropriate to hear his report a little later in the meeting.

Okay. That simplifies things to a large extent.