Procedures Committee, 21 Sep 1999

Meeting date: Tuesday, September 21, 1999

Official Report 287KB pdf

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Scottish Parliament Procedures Committee Tuesday 21 September 1999 (Morning)

[The Convener opened the meeting at 09:31]

We have changed the layout of the room since the previous meeting to create more floor space. We have found the secret of accommodating the press—give them no seats and they all turn up and complain, but if we ensure that there are plenty of seats, nobody appears.

There is one.

Yes, from the Press Association—welcome.

The agenda and papers have been circulated. I hope that we will go through the business quickly. The primary purpose of the meeting is to consider evidence given by business managers and other members with an interest in the topics that we are examining. Michael Russell wishes to give evidence as the SNP business manager, Lord James Douglas-Hamilton is unable to attend and the business managers from the Executive parties have arranged to meet us this afternoon. We will have an additional meeting at 4.15 pm. I ask the committee to gather at 4 o'clock to discuss how we will handle the questions. A paper has been circulated, which should help us to frame them.

I have given John Patterson notice that the time of the meeting causes a difficulty for me, but I will delay going to Inverness to stay for it. Can you indicate how long it might last?

About half an hour. We might not take as long as that.

I have another committee from 2 pm to 5 pm, so I will not be able to attend. I do not like to forgo the opportunity of asking Mr McCabe questions.

I have a committee meeting too, so I will not be able to make it.

Those of us who can attend will attempt to cover all the issues. The response will come when we take the decisions on the recommendations next week; we will have the opportunity to see from the Official Report what was said.