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The next item is discussion of our Aberdeen visits. The committee is considering participating in two visits when the Parliament meets in Aberdeen. The first visit is to Pittodrie stadium and the second is to an event at the Town House in Aberdeen, in response to an invitation from Aberdeen City Council. Unfortunately, both events would take place at the same time; therefore, we must decide how to proceed.
We could ask for one of the events to be shifted or we could split the committee, with some of us going to one event and some of us going to the other. However, it might be that the whole committee wants to be present at both events.
We have suggested that. Martin Verity has the details.
We understand that it would not be possible for Aberdeen City Council's education department to shift the meeting that it has planned, because so many people are involved. The date for the visit to Pittodrie was organised on the basis of members' availability, so there is a clash. We approached the convener of the cross-party sports group, Dennis Canavan, who has intimated his interest in attending the Pittodrie visit, perhaps with one or two members of the cross-party group. Perhaps some committee members would like to go to one of the functions and some to the other. It would help if members could indicate their preferences now or during the next hour or so.
Do members have preferences?
We are happy to split, as the SNP does from time to time.
Never.
The SNP always does so amicably. Irene McGugan will go to Pittodrie and I will go to the Town House event.
I would like to go to the Town House event.
I will go to Pittodrie.
I have difficulty with this. Are both visits on Thursday?
Yes.
On reflection, I think that I should go to the Town House event.
We will ask Brian Monteith which event he wishes to attend.