[The Convener opened the meeting at 10:05]
I welcome members of the committee, the press and the public to the 19th meeting of the Finance Committee in 2002. I remind people to turn off their mobile phones and pagers. We have received apologies from Elaine Thomson, who is attending the Local Government Committee in Inverness. Mr David Davidson will join us at approximately 10.30. Professor Arthur Midwinter will be present for agenda item 5.