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As Mr Swinney and Mr Neil pointed out, we are debating the budget at a time when many Scots are, understandably, concerned about their jobs. I am sure that there are MSPs who have faced redundancy and who understand what a difficult time it can be.
I have already made public statements on the HMIE report and intend to issue further information to MSPs in a fact sheet, but I will respond to members if they want more information.
We would like those other initiatives to go ahead as well.We should bear it in mind that MSPs are elected, but that does not mean that they do not consult.
FOI evidence reveals that intervention by 5 Scottish Ministers",including the Minister for Environment, Mike Russell,"pre-dates any request for action by a cross-party group of MSPs."Therefore, no other committee was examining the issue.
In particular, I welcome back a face that will be familiar to many around the table—certainly to those of us who are getting older and wiser. Jean Turner has served as an MSP and is now working on behalf of the Scotland Patients Association.
That concludes the evidence session.11:32 Meeting suspended. 11:36 On resuming— I welcome our second panel: Shona Robison MSP, Minister for Public Health and Sport; Mike Palmer, deputy director for public health; Dr Mini Mishra, senior medical officer; and Frauke Sinclair, bill team leader.