Just before we go into private session, I want to say that this is our last meeting of this parliamentary session and my last committee meeting as a convener. I was convener of the European Committee and was then interrupted by a stint as a minister. I have twice been convener of Public Audit Committee and latterly of the Welfare Reform Committee. I have enjoyed my time as a convener; I think that the committees of this Parliament are important and were regarded, for a while at least, as being at the cutting edge. I hope that in the new session of Parliament, whatever its composition, the committees will be robust in holding the Government of the day to account, because that is the least that the public expects of us: it is an important facet of parliamentary democracy.
To members who will be attempting to come back—I will not quite wish everyone good luck, because I have my political prejudices—I say that I am sure that you will enjoy the next few weeks. Although I will be engaged in campaigning, I can certainly say that there is slightly less pressure in not being a candidate, which is quite a nice feeling.
I thank committee members for the work that they have done on welfare reform—I know that Kevin Stewart has been here from the beginning. Although this is a relatively new committee, it has made its mark. With the impending changes, there will be exciting opportunities to influence the political agenda. There will also be challenges—there is no doubt about that. Whichever committee handles welfare reform—whether it is this committee or another, if Parliament decides to restructure its committees—I am sure that there will be some fascinating and interesting discussions.
I thank Mr Haynes and wish good luck to the new committees in the next session of Parliament.
10:37 Meeting continued in private until 10:38.