Seòmar agus comataidhean

Item 3 is the choice of a deputy convener. The Parliament has agreed that only members of the Scottish National Party are eligible for nomination as deputy convener of this committee. I ask whether there are any nominations for the role. I understand that Paul McLennan might wish to say something.

Item 5 is on cross-party groups. The issue has come up because of the timing of committees starting and the desire among members and groups outwith the Parliament to start cross-party groups. We have been asked to consider the rules on the membership and registration of cross-party groups. As I said, that requires our attention because of the timescale.

The committee is invited to consider and agree a general modification to rule 6.8 of the code of conduct to allow cross-party groups that have at least one MSP member from the majority of parties that are represented on the Parliamentary Bureau. That is not a rule change; it is an indication of how we would apply our ability to waive certain parts and regulations. In this case, we are carrying on with the process that I understand began with the previous committee. Because of the change of the structure of the parties on the Parliamentary Bureau, we would like to give an indication to CPGs that we will continue to allow them to be registered where they have at least one MSP member from the majority of parties on the bureau. Would anyone like to comment on that?

As there are no comments, do members agree to that general modification?

Members indicated agreement.

I absolutely agree with all the statements that have been made. I envisage that the committee will work collegiately across what some people call political boundaries but what I prefer to call the political spectrum. We have a good balance of new members and experienced members. To echo what Bob Doris said, I think that we are a group of people who genuinely want to involve other people in our work. We do not have the answers sitting in the committee, so people who feel that they have answers to problems relating to procedures and other matters can come to us and will get a listening ear.

Before I close the public part of the meeting, I thank every member of the committee and the clerks who support us behind the scenes. I look forward to meeting in September, and I wish everyone a lovely recess.

Do you want to say anything?