Chamber and committees

Thank you for that, Tony. It would be great to have brief contributions from Craig McLaren and Clare Symonds. We need to wind this up, as we have another panel beginning shortly.

When we lose representation in such areas, there is no one to advocate for public services and so on. In the case of Highland, for example, if we push everything towards Inverness, we lose not only those voices but the infrastructure of people, services, roads and so on that would encourage people to come back and live in those places.

I invite colleagues who are joining us virtually to come in. Mark Griffin has questions.

The result of the division is: For 0, Against 7, Abstentions 0.

Motion disagreed to.

Agenda item 8 is consideration of motion S6M-00973.

Motion moved,

That the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee recommends that the Argyll and Bute (Electoral Arrangements) Regulations 2021 [draft] be approved.—[John Swinney]

Do members have any comments?

Agenda item 9 is consideration of motion S6M-00975.

Motion moved,

That the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee recommends that the North Ayrshire (Electoral Arrangements) Regulations 2021 [draft] be approved.—[John Swinney]

Motion agreed to.

Agenda item 7 is consideration of motion S6M-00974.

Motion moved,

That the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee recommends that the Highland (Electoral Arrangements) Regulations 2021 [draft] be approved.—[John Swinney]

Go ahead, Tony. We will then hear from Craig McLaren, and then Clare Symonds.

Elena Whitham will introduce a new theme.