TIC/S3/08/07/M

7th Meeting, 2008 (Session 3)

Tuesday 15 April 2008

Present:

The meeting opened at 2.01 pm

1. Extension of the First ScotRail Franchise: The Committee discussed the extension of the First ScotRail franchise and agreed to invite the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change to give evidence to the Committee at its meeting on 6 May 2008.

2. Inquiry into Ferry Services in Scotland: The Committee took evidence on its inquiry into ferry services in Scotland from—

Graham Bell, Press and Policy Officer, Scottish Chambers of Commerce;

and then from—

Stewart Wood, Vice President and Lisa Webb, Regional Manager, National Farmers’ Union;

Libby Woodhatch, Chief Executive, Seafood Scotland;

The meeting was suspended from 3.21 pm until 3.30 pm

and then from—

David Eaglesham, Policy Adviser, Road Haulage Association; and

Gavin Scott, Head of Policy, Freight Transport Association.

3. Subordinate Legislation: The Committee considered the following negative instruments—

The Road Works (Scottish Road Works Register, Notices, Directions and Designations) (Scotland) Regulations 2008 (SSI 2008/88); and

The Road Works (Settlement of Disputes and Appeals against Directions) (Scotland) Regulations 2008 (SSI 2008/89).

The Committee agreed to make no recommendation in relation to these instruments.

4. Mainstreaming equal opportunities: The Committee considered a letter from the Convener of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee on whether committees should be obliged to report periodically on how they have built equalities considerations into their work. The Committee agreed that the Convener should write to the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee expressing the view that mainstreaming equal opportunities should be reported in committee annual reports and Standing Orders should be changed to require committees to do so.

Steve Farrell
Clerk to the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee
Tel: 0131 348 5211
email: steve.farrell@scottish.parliament.uk