Public Petitions Committee, 04 Nov 2008
Meeting date: Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Official Report
295KB pdf
Decision on Taking Business in Private
I welcome committee members, invited guests and members of the public to the 16th meeting in 2008 of the Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions Committee. I have received an apology for absence from Bill Butler.
I advise everyone, including members of the public, that all mobile phones and other electronic devices must be switched off. We have a busy agenda this afternoon, but we will take a break later on, before we discuss the petitions that are before us today.
The first item on our agenda is to decide whether to take item 8 in private. Item 8 is consideration of our approach to petition PE1171, from Mr John Muir, which relates to mandatory custodial sentences for persons who carry knives.
I say to those following our proceedings that we take seriously all considerations on whether to meet in private. However, it has been our practice to consider such approach papers in private, in order to allow members to have an open discussion in which they can highlight the issues of concern. When we move on to the formal process, members of the public will be made fully aware of our considerations. The minutes of this meeting will record our decision, and we will publish other information as appropriate.
Do members agree that we should take item 8 in private?
Members indicated agreement.