[The Convener opened the meeting at 13:35]
I have received apologies from Phil Gallie and Lyndsay McIntosh, neither of whom can make today's meeting.
I think that Maureen Macmillan mentioned last week that she could not attend today, convener.
In that case, we have apologies from Maureen too. I am aware that Euan Robson has to leave at about 3 o'clock, so he will be sneaking out then.
Is there a quorum?
Well, the low attendance is the unfortunate knock-on effect of holding a meeting on a Monday at relatively short notice—something that we are trying to avoid in the future. I should explain the last-minute room change for this meeting. We are in room 2 because the Education, Culture and Sport Committee is meeting today and, because of a certain amendment to the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Bill, the media requested the facility to broadcast that committee's proceedings. I agreed to that, and I do not think that there would have been any point digging our heels in about staying in room 1.
Yes.
You sounded uncertain, Pauline.
It is just that I will have to give you my apologies for that meeting, convener. I was able to shift my arrangements for today, but I will not be able to do so for next week.
I also want to raise the matter of our report on the Carbeth hutters petition. Do committee members feel it appropriate that I suggest to the conveners liaison group that the matter might be considered as an item of future debate in the chamber as committee business?
Yes.
It would be quite useful. We would not be guaranteed to secure that, but, given that we have carried out the report, I think that it would be reasonable.
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Petitions