European and External Relations Committee, 14 Sep 2004

Meeting date: Tuesday, September 14, 2004

Official Report 300KB pdf

---

Scottish Parliament European and External Relations Committee Tuesday 14 September 2004

[The Convener opened the meeting at 14:03]

Good afternoon. I warmly welcome committee members and everyone in the public gallery to this meeting of the European and External Relations Committee in this spectacular new Holyrood Parliament of ours. Indeed, this is our first meeting in one of the impressive and stunning new committee rooms, which I think that we will all agree are fascinating.

I open our 15th meeting in 2004 by saying that we have received apologies from Margaret Ewing who, as we all know, is recovering from illness. I have asked the clerks to send our best wishes to Margaret.

Hear, hear.

No substitute members are attending today's meeting.

On a point of order, convener. I read in the newspaper that someone down in London has decided who the convener of our committee is to be. I wonder whether you can confirm that and tell us what is happening. Moreover, will this committee, like any parliamentary committee, have a democratic vote on who our convener should be?

I am delighted to tell the member that, with our new democracy in Scotland, such decisions are taken by our whole Scottish Parliament and that the convener will be appointed by this committee in due course. That said, I am able to confirm that, due to events outwith this room, you might have a new convener in due course.

I clarify to committee members that the microphones are all automatic and that you do not have to press any buttons to be able to speak. You should simply indicate that you wish to speak as the meeting progresses.