Present:
Brian Adam	Mr Richard Baker
Chris Ballance	Susan Deacon
Murdo Fraser	Christine May
Alasdair Morgan (Convener)	Mr Jamie Stone
Mike Watson (Deputy Convener)

The meeting opened at 2.01 pm.

1. Scottish Solutions Inquiry: The Committee took evidence from Professor Sir Graham Hills, former Principal of the University of Strathclyde on its Scottish Solutions inquiry.
2. Budget Process: The Committee took evidence from-

Mr Frank McAveety MSP, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport;

accompanied by:

John Mason, Head of Tourism, Culture and Sport Group, Scottish Executive;

Donna Bell, Team Leader, Finance, Education, Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Scottish Executive;

Laura Petrie, Director of Finance, Historic Scotland;

on the Scottish Executive's 2004/05 budget proposals. The Minister agreed to provide the Committee with the following information:

• the criteria used by Visit Scotland to assess 'green' tourist accommodation and visitor attractions in Scotland;
• an update on the progress against the review of creative/cultural industries information outlined in the target 5 milestone of the draft 2004/05 budget for Tourism, Culture and Sport;
• a regional analysis of tourist visitor figures in Scotland, with particular reference to falling numbers in the North East of Scotland;
• the correct Target 3 from page 59 of the draft budget 2004-05.

 

1. Scottish Solutions Inquiry: The Committee took evidence from-

Tom Kelly, Chief Executive, Association of Scottish Colleges;

Janet Lowe, Principal, Lauder College;

Professor Thomas Wilson, Principal, Glasgow College of Building and Printing;

on its Scottish Solutions inquiry.

The meeting closed at 4.31pm.

Simon Watkins

Clerk to the Committee