Official Report 111KB pdf
Members will be aware that the School Education (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill has been introduced. We have a slot in our timetable on 23 October when both ministers—Jack McConnell and Allan Wilson—are coming to discuss budgets. As Jack McConnell is coming to discuss the education budget, I suggest that we take evidence on the bill from him at that meeting.
Oral evidence?
Yes. We should request written evidence now. It is not a particularly divisive or difficult bill. If issues arise in the written evidence, the committee can consider whether to take oral evidence on them.
I have no doubt that we will approach the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, and the individual local authorities that are not part of COSLA, for written evidence. I also suggest that we approach the Scottish Consumer Council, which has expressed an interest.
Several individuals have raised the anomaly and its effect. I am not sure whether it is worth talking to them if the bill sets the anomaly straight. We will know that only after we have taken evidence from the minister.
I am not proposing to undertake a huge consultation exercise on the bill. If we take evidence from the minister on 23 October, I hope to produce a report during the following week—unless something comes up in the debate that requires further attention. I am not aware of any potential issues at this stage.
I cannot find the minutes of the meeting of the Scottish Ballet board of 7 March in the evidence. Those minutes are crucial. It may be a mistake, but if we do not have them, I request that we get them.
Yes. We will get them.
Meeting closed at 15:35.
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