Public Petitions Committee

Meeting date: Monday, September 13, 2010

Official Report 392KB pdf

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Welcome

I invite the headteacher, Douglas Auld, to say a few words of welcome.

Good morning, temporary convener, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. I am absolutely thrilled, delighted and proud that the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee has made its way to the Isle of Arran, and specifically to this wonderful theatre in Arran high school. Since we opened two and a half years ago, we have hosted a number of politicians from various parties and organisations. Only a year and a half ago, we welcomed the convention of the Highlands and Islands to this hall. That was a wonderful exercise, and many of our pupils benefited from it.

This morning, members of the committee will see many pupils coming in and out of the room—I hope that that does not upset the proceedings too much—and, at half past 11, all of our fourth, fifth and sixth year pupils will come down for the question-and-answer session. I hope that more members of the public will join them.

Last week, in this hall, the Earl of Mar and Kellie spoke to my fifth and sixth year pupils about his work in the House of Lords. That was interesting, and Arran high school pupils were able to benefit from first-hand knowledge of how the democratic process works.

Katy Simmons and Scott Currie will be closer to the firing line of the democratic process than any other Arran high school pupil has been before. Both pupils have been working very hard to prepare their petition for you this morning.

At the main door on this miserable morning—sorry that we could not arrange better weather for you—you were met by Ian Clark, one of our resident pipers. I will stop at this moment, because I am going to continue the entertainment by asking a young man called Struan Robertson to take the floor. He was going to perform “Tam O’Shanter”, but we decided that that would be a bit too long—although the weather is suitable for it today. Nevertheless, he will represent Arran high school today by reciting some Burns. I will leave it to Struan to tell you what he is going to do.

This morning, I am going to recite the address to the haggis, by Robert Burns.

“Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,

Great Chieftain o’ the Puddin-race!

Aboon them a’ ye tak your place,

Painch, tripe, or thairm:

Weel are ye wordy of a grace

As lang’s my arm.

The groaning trencher there ye fill,

Your hurdies like a distant hill,

Your pin wad help to mend a mill

In time o’ need,

While thro’ your pores the dews distil

Like amber bead.

His knife see Rustic-labour dight,

An’ cut you up wi’ ready slight,

Trenching your gushing entrails bright

Like onie ditch;

And then, O what a glorious sight,

Warm-reekin, rich!

Then, horn for horn they stretch an’ strive,

Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive,

Till a’ their weel-swall’d kytes belyve

Are bent like drums;

Then auld Guidman, maist like to rive,

Bethankit hums.

Is there that owre his French ragout,

Or olio that wad staw a sow,

Or fricasee wad mak her spew

Wi’ perfect sconner

Looks down wi’ sneering, scornfu’ view

On sic a dinner?

Poor devil! see him owre his trash,

As feckless as a wither’d rash,

His spindle shank a guid whip-lash,

His nieve a nit;

Thro’ bluidy flood or field to dash,

O how unfit!

But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,

The trembling earth resounds his tread,

Clap in his walie nieve a blade,

He’ll mak it whissle;

An’ legs, an’ arms, an’ heads will sned,

Like taps o’ thrissle.

Ye Pow’rs wha mak mankind your care,

And dish them out their bill o’ fare,

Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware

That jaups in luggies;

But, if ye wish her gratefu’ pray’r,

Gie her a Haggis!”

Thank you very much indeed, Struan. I can see that in future you are going to be very much in demand at Burns suppers. It could be the start of a great career.

Now to business. We are delighted to be here in Arran high school on Arran and we thank everyone for coming along. First, we should briefly introduce ourselves. I am Robin Harper, the committee’s temporary convener and Green MSP for Edinburgh and Lothians.

I am the Labour MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth in central Scotland.

Good morning. I am a Scottish National Party MSP for Central Scotland.

I am an SNP MSP for Glasgow.

Good morning. I am delighted to be at Arran high school. I am the Labour and Co-operative MSP for Glasgow Anniesland.

And I am the man with no name—or nameplate—it seems. I am Kenneth Gibson, the MSP for Cunninghame North. I represent Arran, of course, and know many of you here today. I should say that I am not actually a member of the committee; I am appearing today as the local member.

Thank you. I give a special welcome to Kenny Gibson, who I know shares my interest in and passion for Lamlash Bay and the Community of Arran Seabed Trust. From end to end, the committee has a connection with Arran on at least one issue.

I ask everyone to ensure that their mobile phones and other electronic devices are switched off. I checked mine before we started. We have received apologies from the convener Rhona Brankin, the deputy convener John Farquhar Munro, Nigel Don and Nanette Milne.