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As members are well aware from the conflicting evidence that was received at stage 1, the current legal position causes confusion. I hope that the bill will get rid of that confusion by putting a new right of access on to the statute book.
The bill is important and we want to ensure that we get it right. I am struck again by what Cathie Craigie said about the fact that the same people who give advice will monitor the situation.
If committee members have strong, clear ideas of recommendations that they want to be included in the paper, they should get them to the clerks by the close of business tomorrow.
In the meantime, the freedom that placing requests offer is important and we must get the relevant legislation right. The bill takes us forward in that regard.
Has he also considered that his heir apparent, Henry McLeish, will get the credit if the Administration survives, and that the First Minister will get the blame if it collapses?
From the problems that we are seeing, it is clear that we have to change the system; we have to get a more co-operative approach. I am determined to deliver on that, as are my fellow ministers.