Scottish Parliament Finance Committee Tuesday 11 September 2001 (Morning)
[The Convener opened the meeting at 10:05]
I call to order the first meeting after the summer recess of the Finance Committee. I welcome all members and I remind the two new members to switch off their mobile phones and to set their pagers to buzz. I welcome Alasdair Morgan and Brian Adam. We have exchanged one Adam—Adam Ingram—for another from the Scottish National Party. I hope that the new members will enjoy their time on the committee and I am sure that they will make a telling contribution.
We have lost Adam Ingram and Andrew Wilson and I wish them well with their new interests. I would like to say something about Andrew Wilson, who has been on the committee since the start. I found Andrew a pleasure to work with—he made many suggestions, the vast majority of which were constructive. I hope that this will not be misconstrued, but we will miss his presence on the committee.
I remind members that at the end of business today we will receive an informal briefing on the inquiry into private finance initiatives and public-private partnerships.
I have received notice from Dr Richard Simpson that he will have to leave at about 10 past 12.