Committee
Enterprise and Culture Committee, 13 Feb 2007
13 Feb 2007 · S2 · Enterprise and Culture Committee
Item of business
Legacy Paper
Stephen Imrie (Clerk):
Watch on SPTV
I circulated a draft of the legacy paper. Previously, the committee discussed a framework and agreed the structure for the legacy paper, which I have fleshed out. Members kindly e-mailed me comments on the points that they wanted to be included in the paper; I hope that I have done those justice. I reiterate my offer to meet any member of the committee privately between now and the committee's final meeting, if there are issues relating to the legacy paper that they would like to discuss.We are still waiting for some information. The committee was keen for us to ask the Executive to provide us with an update on the conclusions and recommendations of the inquiries that the committee has undertaken during the parliamentary session. On the committee's behalf, I have written to the Executive to ask it to provide that information, which should be available by our last meeting. In addition to the legacy paper, we will write up the notes from all the round-table discussions that the committee has had, including the one on the creative industries that we had a few weeks ago. By our next meeting we will have a revised version of the legacy paper, depending on members' comments today, the notes from the various round-table discussions that have taken place and the post-inquiry update on conclusions and recommendations.The legacy paper is relatively straightforward. I have tried to keep it short, because it is not helpful for an incoming committee to get reams of paper that it does not examine in detail. The committee has learned many lessons along the way that would be valuable to a successor committee. I have tried to provide the new committee with accessible, brief hints, thoughts and advice on new inquiry topics. The paper is fairly self-explanatory, and I am happy to revise it in light of any comments that members make today.
In the same item of business
The Convener:
SNP
We discussed an approach to our legacy paper and the first draft has now been circulated. I ask Stephen Imrie to introduce it, please.
Stephen Imrie (Clerk):
I circulated a draft of the legacy paper. Previously, the committee discussed a framework and agreed the structure for the legacy paper, which I have fleshed...
The Convener:
SNP
There is only one full meeting of the committee left, although we need a special meeting to deal with a Scottish statutory instrument. It is likely that the ...
Murdo Fraser:
Con
I am generally content with the legacy paper, which is comprehensive and covers all the ground. I would like to make a small point about paragraph 21, which ...
Stephen Imrie:
I recall that the idea of a skills summit was discussed. I would be happy, if members wish, to say a bit more in a redraft of the legacy paper about what a s...
Murdo Fraser:
Con
That would be helpful.
The Convener:
SNP
In light of the Leitch review and talk from some parties of establishing a full employment agency, it is a very relevant subject.
Christine May:
Lab
I have a number of comments. The first relates to the Harold Wilson quotation in the paper. I am not averse to a quotation, but perhaps we can find a better ...
The Convener:
SNP
I have one from Alex Salmond. Would you like that to be included?
Christine May:
Lab
Is it the tip for the 2.45 at Newmarket?
The Convener:
SNP
It was Stephen Imrie's idea to include the quotation. When he asked me whether I wanted it to be left in, I said yes, as I wanted to see who would move to ta...
Christine May:
Lab
I am more than happy to have a Harold Wilson quotation—just not that one.
The Convener:
SNP
I forecast that it would be you.
Christine May:
Lab
I know that—why do you think I raised the matter?To an extent, paragraphs 7 and 19 deal with the same subject—the overlap in the remits of various committees...
The Convener:
SNP
Is everybody happy to add a reference at that point to joint working?Members indicated agreement.
Christine May:
Lab
I felt that one sentence in paragraph 11 said, "You really have to do your homework, members, because it is not good for you or your mental processes to have...
The Convener:
SNP
Should we rephrase that paragraph?
Christine May:
Lab
We should rephrase it to make it a little less teacher-ish.
The Convener:
SNP
Okay. Do members have other comments?
Karen Gillon:
Lab
I do not disagree, but I like the sentiment behind paragraph 11.
Christine May:
Lab
So do I.
Karen Gillon:
Lab
The change has been important.
The Convener:
SNP
Our practice is much better, although it has downsides, such as very long questions. I tend not to interrupt members, because it is up to members to pose que...
Christine May:
Lab
Do the words "pot" and "kettle" come to mind?
The Convener:
SNP
My experience is that members should be given the maximum freedom to ask what they want to ask. They are the members of the committee.
Susan Deacon:
Lab
I say—to avoid doubt—that I agree completely with the convener. However, I am a bit confused. Karen Gillon referred to "the change" and we have talked about ...
Karen Gillon:
Lab
The theme has been pretty regular in other committees, too.
Susan Deacon:
Lab
It is important to make it clear that we have not made a change; we just did not adopt the practice, although some committees have. I agree absolutely that w...
The Convener:
SNP
The situation was the same in the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee, which did not have prepared questions.
Susan Deacon:
Lab
That is what I thought.In paragraphs 8 and 9, which are about working practices, we need—for clarity if nothing else—to distinguish between what is formal an...