Good morning. I open the 27th meeting this year of the Finance Committee by welcoming the press, the public, the minister and his colleagues. On a matter of housekeeping, I ask that all mobile phones and pagers be switched off. I have received apologies from Mark Ballard, who will arrive a little late as he needs to make a brief appearance at another committee meeting.
I also propose that we take in private consideration of our draft stage 2 report at our next meeting and, if necessary, at any subsequent meetings. Are members agreed?
I propose that, at next week's meeting, we consider in private issues that have arisen from our deprivation inquiry. After all, we will no doubt discuss our preliminary views about what should be in the draft report. Are members agreed?
Finally, I seek members' agreement to take in private our draft report on the financial memorandum to the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill at our next meeting. Are members agreed?