Convener

*Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab)

Deputy convener

*Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)

Committee members

*Alasdair Allan (Western Isles) (SNP)

*Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)

*Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab)

*Christina McKelvie (Central Scotland) (SNP)

*Elizabeth Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)

*Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD)

Committee substitutes

Ted Brocklebank (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)

Hugh O’Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD)

Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab)

Dave Thompson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)

The following also attended:

Fiona Hyslop (Minister for Culture and External Affairs)

The following also participated:

David Roy (Scottish Government Directorate for Learning)

Michael Russell (Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning)

Laurence Sullivan (Scottish Government Directorate for Legal Services)

Clerk to the committee

Eugene Windsor