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I am happy to report that mother and daughter are doing fine, so that is some good news to start with.I ask members, witnesses and the public to turn off their mobile phones and pagers.
We should also note the Government's comment that it will endeavour to ensure that proper time for committee scrutiny will be available in relation to future commencement orders to be made under the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006. That is good news and we will hold the Government to that.
The question on that motion will be put at decision time.I am sure that members will join me in welcoming to the gallery the ambassador of the Republic of Moldova, the high commissioner of New Zealand, the high commissioner of Sri Lanka and the deputy high commissioner of Jamaica.
We have apologies from Cathie Craigie and Nicol Stephen, for whom James Kelly and John Farquhar Munro, respectively, are here as substitutes.Anne McLaughlin is not only newly elected to the Parliament, but new to the committee. Welcome, Anne.
Interests Welcome to the fourth meeting this year of the European and External Relations Committee. I welcome our new members, Sandra White and Michael Matheson, and invite them to declare any relevant interests.
I remind everyone to switch off their mobile phones and BlackBerrys.I take the opportunity to place it on the record that, while we can look forward to more meetings in the new year, Martin Verity, the committee clerk, is attending his last committee meeting before his retirement.
As well as a substitute member, we have a new member. I welcome Elaine Murray, who is replacing Des McNulty, who has moved on to the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee.
I hope that you all had a relaxing and enjoyable summer.The first agenda item is declarations of interests. I welcome Kenneth Gibson as a new member of the committee. I am delighted that he is joining us.
I remind all present—including members—that mobile phones and BlackBerrys should be turned off completely as they interfere with the broadcasting system, even when the sound is switched off.The first item on the agenda was to have been a declaration of interests by new committee member Michael McMahon; instead, we have his apologies.