Committee
European and External Relations Committee 20 September 2011
20 Sep 2011 · S4 · European and External Relations Committee
Item of business
Decision on Taking Business in Private
Good afternoon, everyone. I welcome members and the public to the European and External Relations Committee’s third meeting in session 4. I ask everyone to ensure that their mobile phones and any other electronic devices are switched off, as they interfere with the electronic equipment.The first item on our agenda is to decide whether to take agenda items 4 to 7 in private. Under item 4, the committee is to agree the actions arising from its recent business planning day, and under item 5, it will consider its approach to the Scottish Government’s draft budget for 2012-13. Under item 6, the committee will consider a scoping paper for engagement with the European dimension of the Scotland Bill, and under item 7, it will consider options for future engagement with Scottish members of the European Parliament.Taking those agenda items in private would allow the committee to have a full and frank debate on the options for future committee work. As there are new members on the committee, I should explain that such an approach is normal practice, as it allows us to have such discussions in private. However, any decisions that are taken will be publicly available in the minute of the meeting.Are members content to take items 4 to 7 in private?Members indicated agreement.