Social Justice Committee, 14 Mar 2001

Meeting date: Wednesday, March 14, 2001

Official Report 116KB pdf

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Drug Misuse and Deprived Communities

Item 4 is very brief, and relates to drug misuse and deprived communities. There will be a debate on the Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector Committee's report on the matter on Thursday next week. Lee Bridges is handing out the motion that has been lodged for the debate. We are all aware that a number of the members who were directly involved in producing the report are not now on the Social Justice Committee and that a significant number of current committee members were not involved in producing the report.

I think that those most directly involved in producing the report should be the ones who represent the committee in the debate. I hope that members find that acceptable. Normally, the convener would open such a debate, but in my view, it would be inappropriate for me to do so on this occasion. I seek the committee's agreement on who should open and close for the committee.

I suggest that Karen Whitefield open for the committee. I accept what you have said, convener, but the opportunity is still open to current committee members to take part if they wish. If Karen were to open for the committee, perhaps Robert Brown could close.

Almost by dint of elimination.

I think that Bill Aitken was also involved.

Yes, he was.

Has he expressed an interest in opening or closing for the committee?

He has not.

We should also consider the fact that it will be a long debate. I am sure that anyone from the committee—in either its past or present form—who wants to contribute will be able to do so.

I believe that the view that we are taking on who will represent the committee in opening and closing is the correct one. Is there agreement that Karen Whitefield open on behalf of the committee?

Members indicated agreement.

And to close?

I closed on the housing stock transfer debate last September, for various reasons. However, if Bill Aitken is interested, I have no difficulty with him closing. That would effectively widen the support. I am easy about it.

We will leave it to Lee Bridges, in discussion with Robert Brown and Bill Aitken, to agree on who will close for the committee in the debate.

Meeting closed at 10:28.