Convener

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab)

Deputy convener

*Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)

Committee members

*Alasdair Allan (Western Isles) (SNP)

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)

*Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab)

*Christina McKelvie (Central Scotland) (SNP)

*Elizabeth Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)

*Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD)

Committee substitutes

*Ted Brocklebank (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)

*Hugh O’Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD)

*Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab)

*Dave Thompson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)

The following also attended:

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab)

The following also participated:

Lesley Fraser (Scottish Government Children, Young People and Social Care Directorate)

David Henderson (Scottish Government Public Sector Reform Directorate)

Colin Reeves (Scottish Government Learning Directorate)

Michael Russell (Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning)

Clerk to the committee

Eugene Windsor