Scottish Parliament National Galleries of Scotland Bill Committee Thursday 9 January 2003 (Afternoon)
[The Oldest Committee Member opened the meeting at 13:28]
As there are no objections to starting the meeting slightly early, I welcome everyone and remind people to turn off their mobile phones and pagers. I am looking at our friends from the press, in case they have hotlines.
I understand that I am the oldest committee member present, although there may be some dubiety about that. Rule 12.1.6 of the standing orders states:
"the first meeting of a committee after it is established by the Parliament … shall be chaired by the Oldest Committee Member until a convener is chosen."