Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee, 21 Mar 2001

Meeting date: Wednesday, March 21, 2001

Official Report 233KB pdf

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Scottish Parliament Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee Wednesday 21 March 2001 (Morning)

[The Deputy Convener opened the meeting at 10:03]

I call to order the ninth meeting in 2001 of the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee. I am the deputy convener of the committee and, in the absence of our convener, Alex Neil, I am convening the meeting.

We have apologies from Alex Neil and Kenny MacAskill, both of whom are in Brussels on a parliamentary visit, and from Des McNulty. Nick Johnston, who has not been well, is not with us but I understand that he hopes to join us this morning.

Before we commence this morning's business, it would be appropriate to note any declarations of interest with regard to the content of the agenda. I declare my membership of the court of the University of Strathclyde. Do any other members wish to declare an interest?

I declare again that, before being elected, I worked at Fife College of Further and Higher Education. I am still a member of the Adam Smith foundation, which is a charitable arm of the college.

I do not have interests to declare, but my father is chairman of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic college, which might have a bearing on the second item on the agenda.

We expect you to have a mind of your own and not to be influenced by paternal factors. Thank you for declaring that anyway.

Our clerk, Linda Orton, is assisting me in my role as convener. The monstrous regiment of women is hitting the committee.

Item 1 on the agenda is consideration of whether to take item 5 in private. Do members agree to take that item in private?

Members indicated agreement.