The next item on our agenda is our forward work programme—we have a paper that is based on the informal work that we did on our away day. As well as agreeing on our areas of work up to the summer recess, members might want to consider the priority that we should give to each area. The first item is replacing the Scotland Act 1998 (Transitory and Transitional Provisions) (Members' Interests) Order 1999. Without wishing to pre-empt the discussion, I expect that the committee will want to give that issue a high priority and we will have to ensure that our timetable is acceptable to the Parliament. Depending on the outcome of our deliberations today and at our next meeting, we might have to consider the need to hold meetings slightly more frequently. Perhaps we should not reach a formal agreement on our priorities today. At this stage, I am content for us to reach agreement on the items that are to be included in our work programme. It is open to members to make their own suggestions about the form that our work programme takes.
I endorse the convener's comments. The draft work programme reflects our informal discussions. I also agree with what he said about the members' interests order. Given that we were not able to implement new legislation in the first session of the Parliament, we should make speed on it in this session.
I am sorry for being late, convener.
So you are suggesting the need to take some decisions.
Yes.
The three items that are set out in the paper are the three main items that we will deal with in the coming year. I think that it is generally agreed that we need to make as much progress as possible, as quickly as possible, on the members' interests bill.
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