The second item on the agenda is the briefest of reports, in which the conveners liaison group has requested that we consider the formal constitution of that group. We did that some time ago, but nothing much has happened because there are unresolved issues between the bureau and the CLG. As we do not want to discuss the matter today, I ask you to approve the recommendation that we receive an issues paper on 15 February. I hope that those two bodies can sort out their different views on the remit of the CLG. We have a facilitating role—our task is to sort out what everybody agrees will happen rather than to decide between competing claims.
I understand that the issue of the convener's casting vote was submitted to the conveners liaison group. Was that issue to be referred to us or was any decision made about it? It strikes me that it is a procedural matter.
That issue is back with the conveners liaison group this afternoon for approval. It is appropriate for this committee to discuss it.
This committee should discuss what advice should be given to the Presiding Officer on the matter.
I think that the issue has gone through three distillations to try to reach a point at which everybody is happy—we will find out this afternoon whether that has happened. I am happy that we should discuss the matter.
Any decision of the conveners liaison group would have no standing until it had been discussed in some sense as a standing procedure for committees.