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Concern came initially from press speculation about the concerns of prospective MSPs about the shape of the chamber. The design team was asked to examine ways in which the chamber could be adjusted to meet some of those concerns.
On reflection, however, I felt that simply laying the report before Parliament did not really give MSPs, whether in plenary or committee meetings, any part in the process.
Some organisations that propose amendments in the hope that MSPs will take them up use a similar format and most people find it useful in clarifying the purport of an amendment.
The same thing happens with the additional member system, which we have for Parliament, where there is a politicisation of surgery work. Certain list MSPs only take on the high-profile work that will get them publicity and do not want to do the nuts-and-bolts work.
One of the key issues is a lack of self-esteem, which is a Scottish disease, although it does not trouble MSPs—all politicians have far too much self-esteem.
On resuming— Our second panel is Robert Brown MSP, the Deputy Minister for Education and Young People, and his team of officials from the bill team, who are Brian Peddie, Ed Thomson and John St Clair.
However, I repeat that homeless families are a priority-need category, and have been throughout my years as an MP and as an MSP. It is nothing new that families have those rights.