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The committee would be amazed by the difference that visits from members make locally. Such visits mean that Scotland is once again in the news and gets talked about.
As Mr Robson said, Wendy Alexander will visit the Borders at the end of next month to see for herself some of the new opportunities for employment in the area.
It is only possible to compare the Scottish figures with the same time period for previous years. The latest available seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate for September to November 2002 for Scotland is 156,000 (6.1%).
We are fully engaged with organisations in the public sector in continuing to review new models and new ways of funding. A lot of research is being done on new partnership structures that will involve local authorities much more directly in their projects.
Margot Wallström said that she hoped to visit Scotland early in the new year, so there may be an opportunity for the committee to issue a formal invitation to meet her to consider progress and discuss matters further.
I thank the minister for his response, particularly on the point about financial assistance, which is of considerable reassurance. I will not press amendments 26 and 29. Amendment 26, by agreement, withdrawn.