Invitations

I refer members to a letter that we received from Scottish and Southern Energy plc, which invites us to visit the hydro control centre at Clunie near Pitlochry and to hear a presentation on the electricity network in Scotland and the development of renewables.In light of how we have handled such invitations previously, we may wish to defer consideration of the invitation until we have identified our briefing requirements and the work that we may do on renewables. We will discuss that under agenda item 7; that may well be an appropriate way of dealing with the matter.We hold all such invitations on file. If the subject to which they relate becomes appropriate to our work programme, we contact members again regarding the invitation.We have also received a letter from Briggs Marine Environmental Services Ltd, which is accompanied by a discussion paper for the committee on the subject of oil pollution in Scotland. As members know, I recently attended the launch of an oil care campaign. Briggs Marine, which is a fairly cutting-edge Scottish company, also attended that launch and had a good story to tell. I said that I would ensure that its material was circulated to the committee, so that members were made aware of its work. Members can follow that up, in terms of their own involvement.

Indeed. A visit is also planned to the logistics centre fairly soon—on 5 April—in which some members have indicated an interest. I hope to be there.Finally, do members agree that we should discuss our approach to questioning the minister on the National Parks (Scotland) Bill, as introduced, at a private session before our meeting on 4 April? If we agree that now, and agree that our initial discussion on the departmental budget should also be taken in private, we can let members of the public know the time of the public part of that meeting. Are we agreed?Members indicated agreement.

Thank you.I thank members of the press and the public for their attendance today and advise them that we have agreed to take the final agenda item—consideration of our future work programme—in private.