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A paper has been circulated on the proposal by the European Committee of the Regions' commission for economic and social policy to hold a seminar in the Parliament later in the year. We have got to be careful about this. In discussions I have had with members they seem happy for the seminar to take place, but for none of the costs to come out of the Enterprise and Culture Committee's budget; obviously we would want to be happy that no excessive costs were involved. The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has not had time to consider the matter today and has carried it over to next week. It is worth our making those points because we are in negotiation with the other parliamentary bodies in relation to other items, and we have to be conscious that people are wary of the budgetary implications of anything that is taking place in the Parliament at the moment.
I am very conscious of budgetary implications. Subject to the views of the rest of the committee, I would not be against a contribution from the committee if the agenda for the conference were to be such that it was clear that our interests would be represented. On that basis, we might be prepared to contribute—assuming of course that we have any budget left and that our other applications have been agreed.
I am very much in favour of the commission meeting here—it is good for Scotland and good for the Parliament in different ways. However, I am rather puzzled about why it is expected that we might have to meet any costs. I understood that parliamentary committees were not usually liable for the costs of events that happen within the Parliament.
All I am saying is that in saying that we are in favour of the seminar taking place we should be clear that we are not saying that anything will come out of our budget towards it.
I accept that, but I cannot imagine a situation in which the costs would come out of the committee's budget. The event is inside the Parliament, so surely the Parliament would meet any costs.
There are notional budgetary allocations to committees.
I accept what you are saying but I do not think that it would come about.
A belt and braces approach.
On that basis, is everybody happy to support the principle of the seminar, provided no excessive cost is involved to the Parliament?
The final meeting before the recess is next Tuesday at 2 o'clock. The main item on the agenda will be a stocktaking exercise on the business growth inquiry, to establish where we are and where we want to go from here to the completion of the inquiry.
Meeting closed at 16:07.
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