The second and final agenda item is to consider whether to discuss items in private at our next meeting. I propose that we consider the draft reports on the Fire (Scotland) Bill and the Water Services etc (Scotland) Bill in private. Are members agreed?
My position is that, normally, I like things to be done in public. What are your reasons or arguments for dealing with the reports in private?
In both cases, the reason is that I want to give members an opportunity to have an informal discussion about the clerk's draft reports. We need to ensure that the evidence that has been taken has been represented appropriately in the final report that goes to the lead subject committee. The intention is to ensure that the committee report says what we mean. We need to do that in a setting where we can speak informally.
Finally, we have now received a response from the Scottish Executive to our report on stage 1 of the budget process. Obviously, that will inform our meeting with the Minister for Finance and Public Services on 5 October. The clerks will circulate the Executive's response as soon as possible—either later today or possibly first thing tomorrow—so that members can reflect on it prior to that meeting. I remind members that we have also agreed to take evidence from Ross Finnie on the broader issues around Scottish Water at next week's meeting.
Meeting closed at 11:07.