The committee has extended invitations to attend to the workforce, the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Henry McLeish MSP, and the head of the Kvaerner Govan Task Force, Sir Gavin Laird.

The decision to convene a meeting of the Committee follows this week’s request to recall the Scottish Parliament to discuss the situation at Kvaerner Govan. Presiding Officer Sir David Steel ruled out recalling the Parliament as a whole but suggested that the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee could meet to consider the issue.

Convener of the Committee, John Swinney MSP, has consulted the members of the Committee, and also representatives of the Kvaerner workforce as to whether it would be helpful to meet.

Following these discussions, it has been decided that the Committee will meet on Friday, 16 July at 1200 hours in Committee Room 1 (Committee Chambers Building, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh).

Commenting on the decision, Mr Swinney said:

"Members of the Committee are anxious to do whatever they can to assist in finding a solution to the current situation at Kvaerner. The Committee has no wish to disturb the current negotiations, but we believe that a meeting of this Committee of the Scottish parliament may provide an opportunity to identify potential solutions.

"I have consulted the workforce and it is their view that any input that might help to see a resolution to the negotiations would be welcome. I am therefore convening a meeting of the Committee to address the issue. I would hope that we can meet with the Minister, and other relevant parties, and can identify further courses of action which can assist the process, and help safeguard jobs at Kvaerner.

"There are clearly negotiations on-going, and I and the Committee will be careful to ensure in all that we do, that we contribute to this process and not hinder it."

BACKGROUND NOTES

There are limited media seats in Committee Room 1. Media are respectfully requested to limit their representation in the Committee Room 1 to one representative. Please call the media relations office (0131 348 5389/5605) by 1600 hours on Thursday, July 15 to register your intention to attend.

The Enterprise and lifelong learning committee is chaired by John Swinney MSP. The other members are Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP); Miss Annabel Goldie (West of Scotland) (Con); Mr Nick Johnston (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con); Marilyn Livingstone (Kirkcaldy) (Lab); George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD); Ms Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (MSP); Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab); Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab); Elaine Thomson (Aberdeen North) (Lab) Allan Wilson (Cunninghame North) (Lab).