Official Report 84KB pdf
The next item is consideration of whether to take the final agenda item in private. It is my belief that we should take the item in private, as that will allow us to discuss the merits of inviting organisations, as well as some objectors, to give oral evidence. In the case of objectors, it would not be appropriate to discuss that in public, as some objectors may wish to nominate a representative, rather than to provide evidence themselves. Is that agreed?
Before we move into private session, I seek members' views on one matter. As members will be aware, four oral evidence-taking meetings are scheduled to take place next month. At those meetings, the committee will take evidence from a range of organisations, with the last witness in each session being the promoter. It strikes me that it would be prudent for the committee to go into private session prior to taking evidence from the promoter, so that we can reflect on the oral evidence that has been given on that day and identify the key issues that we wish to pursue with the promoter. That would allow us to make better use of the time and ensure that we covered any issues that had been raised earlier in the meeting. Is that agreed?
Meeting continued in private until 14:34.