Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, 27 Jan 2009

Meeting date: Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Official Report 88KB pdf

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Cross-party Group

The committee's approval is sought for the registration of the proposed cross-party group on beer and the brewing industry. I welcome Hugh Henry. Do members have questions for him about the group?

This is a general point that has nothing to do with the group that we are considering. There is a large number of cross-party groups in the Parliament, and some of us find it difficult to balance their different needs. Is Hugh Henry confident that the proposed group will enjoy the on-going support and attendance that will be needed if it is to sustain itself?

It appears that it will do so. There has been a degree of interest in the group. An exceptionally high number of MSPs attended the recent event that the Scottish Beer and Pub Association organised. Some of the issues to do with employment, not just in the brewing industry but in the licensed trade throughout Scotland, affect us all.

I cannot anticipate the future and say that the proposed group will be more successful than other cross-party groups are, but the level of interest that has been expressed is sufficiently high to enable me to hope that the group will make a valuable contribution to parliamentary life.

According to the registration form, the secretariat for the group will be provided by the Scottish Beer and Pub Association. However, the value of that support is not given. When are we likely to receive that information?

As soon as the group convenes we will attempt to put a monetary value on the support and notify you accordingly.

Thank you.

On the basis of the information on the registration form and the information that Hugh Henry has provided, are members content to approve the proposed cross-party group on beer and the brewing industry?

Members indicated agreement.

I thank Hugh Henry for attending.