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However, we are concerned that a lot of what happens in schools is that pre-recruitment activity. There is certainly quite a bit of evidence from internal Ministry of Defence documents that that is how it views the situation.
Will the cabinet secretary review those matters closely to see what can be done to speed up the contract process and remove any unnecessary and expensive burdens from the pre-qualification process? Yes, we will.
A number of points were raised about pre-notification timescales. I note the recommendation in the committee’s report that timescales should be adjusted for pre-notification, and I agree that it is important that timescales are adequate for that process.
Perhaps you can say a bit more about the importance of the work in communities to get those who are least likely to apply to college to do so in the first place? I am thinking of the pre-employability and pre-training work that colleges do so well.
I look forward to exploring in more detail other aspects of the committee’s report, including the pre-existing challenges to Scotland’s public finances, in our new year pre-budget debate.
I believe that by taking the 2012 legislation off the stocks and using the more credible pre-existing legislation, we will be able to establish greater legal certainty.