Official Report 153KB pdf
Item 6 on the agenda is the conference, "Poverty and education: Challenge and response". It is on 8 May, from 10 am until 4 pm, at Stirling Council chambers. I put this on the agenda for any members who are interested. There is no charge for attendance at the event, although there may be travel costs. The fact that there is currently no budget for committee members to attend conferences has been flagged up and is being examined. We hope to get that sorted out for any future conferences that are brought to our attention.
In principle, I am also keen to go.
The probability is that the conveners liaison group will not agree that too many people can go. I have noted which members have indicated an interest. We will see what we can do.
I will give way in favour of Ian Jenkins. I did not see you put your finger up, Ian.
I have a Parliamentary Bureau meeting on the afternoon of 7 March, unfortunately. We do not yet have anything pencilled in for Wednesday 22 March. Given that the bill is not due for consideration until after the Easter recess, is there any possibility of delaying the oral evidence on the ethical standards in public life bill until Wednesday 22 March?
It depends on the timetable that the bureau sets for consideration of that bill.
So it's back to you, Mr Russell.
It is just that I would be very keen to be present during the evidence. I would be very grateful if that evidence could be taken on 22 March. I cannot promise to influence the other decision, however.
If you could leave that with us, we will take on board your points and try to reshuffle the timetable.
That would be very helpful.
We will let people know about it as soon as possible, as other members have commitments as well.
Meeting closed at 11:11.