Public Petitions Committee, 27 Mar 2000

Meeting date: Monday, March 27, 2000

Official Report 360KB pdf

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Convener's Report

At our last meeting, we referred to a request from the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in South Africa to visit the Scottish Parliament and the Public Petitions Committee in particular. The Presiding Officer has responded to that request, indicating that he would welcome such a visit. We will keep members informed of progress and of when we are likely to meet the South African delegates who want to see us work.

I want to make a valedictory statement, convener, as I intend to resign from the Public Petitions Committee after this meeting. It is nothing personal. I hope that you will get someone who is a bit younger and more vigorous in my place.

It is difficult to think of anyone more vigorous than you, Phil.

I thank committee members; I have enjoyed being a member of this committee—it has been good all the way through. I wish you well for the future.

Thank you, Phil. I speak on behalf of the committee when I say that we will be sad to see you go. You have been a valued and hard-working member. I hope that it was not today's three-hour meeting that finally persuaded you. [Laughter.]

I want to note for the record the committee's appreciation of Phil's work. We thank him very much for the way in which he helped to establish the committee on a firm basis.

I would like to thank the committee for coming to the Borders.

I had a busy weekend in Dundee, where I got an awful fright—I was standing in a corridor, turned round and saw a big portrait of John McAllion.

Thank you, Ian. It has been a delight for us to come down here today for a long but worthwhile meeting. I thank everyone for their patience and attendance.

Meeting closed at 17:40.