Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee, 04 Oct 2000

Meeting date: Wednesday, October 4, 2000

Official Report 229KB pdf

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Convener

Item 1 on the agenda is the choice of convener—I will try to stop the grin from spreading too broadly across my face. As John Swinney has resigned from the committee, we have lost our convener, so it falls to members to choose a new convener. By virtue of standing orders, it is necessary that the convener be chosen from the members of the committee who represent the Scottish National Party. I ask for nominations for the position of convener.

I nominate Alex Neil.

Is that nomination seconded?

I second the nomination.

I second it.

That was a rush of popular assent. I think that Mr Lyon got there by a hair, Mr Wilson, so Mr Lyon is the seconder. Are there any other nominations for the position? There is none. Is it the popular and acclaimed will of the committee that Mr Neil be our convener?

Alex Neil was chosen as convener.

With much pleasure, I hand the chair to Mr Neil.

I thank the committee for choosing me as convener and I thank Annabel Goldie for standing in as convener for the past week or so. I am sure that I speak on behalf of the whole committee in thanking John Swinney for his period as convener. I also thank the clerks for the assistance that they have given me in the lead-up to today.

This is my first meeting as convener of the committee. I will do my best to take a fair and balanced approach to the job. I want to make every member feel that they have the opportunity to put in their tuppenceworth and I will take a constructive approach to the committee's work.