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The second item is a pleasurable one. I welcome back Cathy Peattie—a former member of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee—as a substitute member. I ask her to make a declaration of interests.
I do not think that the situation has changed since the last time I was here. I am a member of a number of organisations that promote traditional music. I convene the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on Scottish traditional arts and the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on culture and the media. I have an interest in training, mainly further education and adult training. I do not think that there is anything else that I need to add.
Welcome back, Cathy. I am sure that we will benefit from your knowledge and experience.
As I said in the chamber at the time, I deeply regret Cathy Peattie's leaving the committee. Her contribution was enormously important. She is one of the original members of the committee and I am delighted to see her back. That goes for my party and—I hope—for the whole committee.
It certainly does.
I acknowledge that the issue has been raised of my recent appointment as ministerial parliamentary aide to the Minister for Finance and Public Services. I wish to make it clear that my role on the committee is my central role, and in that regard over the next few months I will cover for Karen Gillon, who is on maternity leave. I hope that committee members are reassured by that statement, which I wished to put on record.
Convener, I have worked well with you over a number of years and have no personal reservations about your putting the committee's work first. However, it is right that I should put on record my party's concern that people who are essentially tied to the Executive in even an unpaid capacity might experience undesirable conflicts of interest. My party will pursue the matter in the chamber and through other means. I accept your personal assurance and I am sure that we will never find it wanting, but the general issue has not been resolved.
The deputy convener's assurances are most welcome. The situation is temporary and simply allows us to cover the convener's maternity leave. After your assurances, deputy convener, I wish you well in your role.
Although I also welcome the deputy convener's assurances, I want to record my support for Mike Russell's view. As the Conservative group has not yet discussed the issue, I cannot say that all members of the group share my opinion. I certainly think that we need to examine relationships with MPAs to the Executive. That is no reflection on your good self, Frank, but the Parliament will no doubt revisit the issue.
I appreciate that, Brian.
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