Good morning colleagues, and welcome to the seventh meeting of the Education Committee in 2006. Before we commence our business this morning, I am sure that members will join me in expressing deep condolences to Margaret Ewing's family and to Fergus in particular following the sad news yesterday of Margaret's passing. We shall have a few moments of private contemplation.
I do not see the need to take the items in private. In particular, item 6 should be open and transparent.
I agree with Rosemary Byrne about item 6. Discussions on the appointment of advisers should be taken in private, so I agree with the convener with regard to item 5. There are also some issues to do with item 4 that we might want to discuss in private. I therefore recommend that we take item 6 in public, but items 4 and 5 in private.
I recommend that we take item 6 in private because that is the approach that the committee has always taken to the consideration of draft reports. We consider draft reports in private to ensure their confidentiality until the committee has agreed its view.
Before I put the question on item 6, are there any other comments?
I feel that a draft report should be kept confidential until the committee has finalised its position.
All right. The question is, that item 6 be taken in private. Are we agreed?
No.
There will be a division.
For
The result of the division is: For 4, Against 2, Abstentions 0. It is agreed that we will take item 6 in private.