Public Petitions Committee
Meeting date: Monday, March 15, 2010
Official Report
399KB pdf
New Petitions (Notification)
Shush! He is the local member, and that is the way it is. I have an appointment in Aberdeen that was scheduled long before this meeting was even talked about. I also take the opportunity to say that Nanette Milne and I were here before the bus arrived with the rest of the committee. We are very well aware that there were many more musical items that other members did not get to hear. I congratulate those who enabled us to hear them. We heard the rehearsal, but it was brilliant. I just want to acknowledge that. I also note the artwork at the back of the room, which is super. The mural on the long side, which I will have a look at before we leave, is wonderful.
Item 3 is notification of new petitions. Members were notified in advance of the new petitions, which are timetabled to come before us at the appropriate meeting. We can therefore acknowledge those new petitions.
Before I close the formal part of the committee’s proceedings, I thank headteacher Iain Hughes for the courtesy of allowing us to utilise his school and for the fantastically warm welcome that we received from the two young pipers. I think that virtually all the school was there to welcome us in. We are probably getting spoiled today, which is not always our experience when we arrive at the front door of the Scottish Parliament for our ordinary duties. I thank everyone for their participation and for the welcome that we got. I particularly thank those who provided the tea and coffee prior to the meeting and those who will provide the buffet lunch. I thank, too, the young people of Waid academy who presented their petitions: Paul Dryburgh, Ellen Cummings, Ronan Buist, Megan Lumsden and Daniel Swaddle. We apologise if we made you feel uncomfortable at times. However, you handled yourselves fantastically well and every one of you has a very positive future ahead. I hope that you will represent not just your school and your families but your wider community in public service in the future.
As I said, the formal part of our business is complete. I remind those who wish to stay for the question-and-answer session that it will start at about 1.15. I do not know whether the local MSP, Iain Smith, can stay, but the committee will not mind if he wants to participate.
I do not wish to upstage you at the end, convener, but I must apologise for not being able to be here after lunch. I am sure that Iain Smith will be a far better representative than I am.
Will that be on Iain Smith’s election leaflet?
Okay. I conclude today’s formal business of the Public Petitions Committee.
Meeting closed at 12:53.