Public Audit Committee
Meeting date: Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Official Report
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Convener
We move on to the choice of a new convener. I remind members that the Parliament has agreed that only members of the Scottish Labour Party are eligible to be chosen as convener of the Public Audit Committee. I invite nominations for the position of convener.
I nominate Iain Gray.
I confirm that Iain Gray has been nominated as the committee’s new convener.
Iain Gray was chosen as convener.
Thank you very much, colleagues. I have an old friend in the Labour Party who used to say, “If I’d known there was going to be an election, I’d have brought the result.” That is the kind of election I like. [Laughter.]
I would like to say a few words. I am very conscious that it is a privilege to take over the convenership of such an august and award-winning committee, which has a reputation for effectiveness. I certainly hope that we will be able at least to maintain that reputation, if not to enhance it.
I know that, at its previous meeting, the committee put on record its appreciation for the service of the previous convener, Hugh Henry, and I acknowledge and understand that, in convenership terms, I have big shoes to fill. I will certainly endeavour to do that and will no doubt seek Hugh Henry’s wisdom.