MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS: FRIDAY 11 JANUARY 2002
ROOM 1, COMMITTEE CHAMBERS BUILDING, SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

Present:
Mr Edwin Poots MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Oliver Gibson MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs Jnr MLA
Mrs Eileen Bell MLA
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Mr David Ervine MLA
Mr Conor Murphy MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA

In Attendance:
Ms Stella McArdle (Committee Clerk)
Mr John Conlan
Mr Chris Brown
Mr Tim Moore (Researcher)

Apologies:
Mr Fred Cobain MLA
Mrs Annie Courtney MLA
Ms Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA
Mr James Leslie MLA
Ms Patricia Lewsley MLA
Mr Alex Maskey MLA
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MLA
Mr Eugene McMenamin MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA

The meeting opened at 9.25am in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies are listed above.

2. Chairperson's welcome

The Chairperson opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and thanking the Scottish Parliament's European Committee for accommodating the Committee of the Centre.

3. European Union Inquiry

I Briefing by Specialist Adviser

The Specialist Adviser, Ms Claire Whitten, joined the meeting at 9.26am and gave the members a short briefing on issues they may wish to raise during the evidence sessions.

The Specialist Adviser concluded her briefing at 9.30am.

The Chairperson suspended the meeting at 9.30am.

The Chairperson reconvened the meeting at 9.31am.

II Evidence from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA)

The evidence session began at 9.32am. Evidence from a Scottish Local Authority perspective was taken from Mr Tom Sullivan, Head of European Office, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. The Minutes of Evidence will appear in the Committee's report on the Inquiry.

Mr Sullivan left the meeting at 10.27am.

III Evidence from Scottish MEP

The evidence session began at 10.28am. Evidence from a Scottish MEP perspective was taken from Professor Sir Neil MacCormick, MEP. The Minutes of Evidence will appear in the Committee's report on the Inquiry.

Mr Beggs joined the meeting at 11.14am.

Professor Sir Neil MacCormick left the meeting at 11.25am.

The Chairperson suspended the meeting at 11.26am.

The Chairperson reconvened the meeting at 11.35am.

IV Evidence from The Scottish Parliament's European Committee

The evidence session began at 11.36am. Evidence from the Scottish Parliament's European Committee perspective was taken from Mrs Irene Oldfather, MSP, Convener, Mr Stephen Imrie, Clerk, and Mr David Simpson, Assistant Clerk. The Minutes of Evidence will appear in the Committee's report on the Inquiry.

The representatives left the meeting at 12.18pm.

The Chairperson suspended the meeting for lunch at 12.19pm.

The Chairperson reconvened the meeting at 2.15pm.

V Evidence from the former Chief Executive, Scotland Europa and former Chief Economist, Royal Bank of Scotland

The evidence session began at 2.16pm. Evidence on the European Union Inquiry from a private sector perspective was taken from Mr Grant Baird, former Chief Executive Scotland Europa and former Chief Economist, Royal Bank of Scotland. The Minutes of Evidence will appear in the Committee's report on the Inquiry.

Mr Baird left the meeting at 3.09pm.

CLOSED SESSION - 3.10pm.

VI Discussion with Professor Mitchell and Ms Claire Whitten

Professor Mitchell and Ms Claire Whitten started the discussion at 3.11pm. There was an open discussion about the various issues raised during the evidence sessions and other matters relating to the Inquiry.

Professor Mitchell and Ms Whitten concluded the discussion at 3.52pm.

4. Any other business

None.

5. Date and time of next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 16 January 2002, at 2.00pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.53pm.

Councillor Edwin Poots MLA
Chairperson, Committee of the Centre
16 January 2002

09 January 2002/ Menu / 16 January 2002