Equal Opportunities Committee

Meeting date: Thursday, February 21, 2013

Official Report 326KB pdf

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Decision on Taking Business in Private

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Equal Opportunities Committee’s fifth meeting in 2013. I welcome the visitors in the public gallery. I ask everyone to switch off their mobile phones completely or to set them to flight mode. At the table, along with members and witnesses, are the clerking and research team, official reporters and broadcasting services. Around the room, we are supported by the security office.

My name is Mary Fee and I am the committee convener. We have received apologies from John Finnie. [Interruption.] Oh, sorry, John, my brain is gone—we have received apologies from Dennis Robertson, and we are joined by James Dornan. I ask committee members and witnesses to introduce themselves.

I am the MSP for Edinburgh Central and deputy convener of the committee.

I am an MSP for Central Scotland.

Madainn mhath. I am an MSP for Highlands and Islands.

I am the MSP for Glasgow Cathcart.

I am the MSP for Glasgow Shettleston.

I am the team leader in the private housing services team in the Scottish Government.

I am the Minister for Housing and Welfare.

I am from the Scottish Government’s equality unit.

Agenda item 1 is a decision on taking business in private. The committee is asked to decide whether to consider its approach to its women in work inquiry in private at future meetings. Do we agree to take that in private?

Members indicated agreement.