The only item of business this afternoon is the election of four members of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. I have received five valid nominations for appointment to the corporate body. I will read out the names of the candidates in alphabetical order and ask them to stand when their name is announced. The nominations are for: Robert Brown, Margo MacDonald, Mr Duncan McNeil, John Scott and Mr Andrew Welsh.

A copy of the guidance note that explains the procedure that will be followed this afternoon has been placed on each member's desk. I will ask members to cast their vote for their preferred candidate. A separate vote will be called for each candidate. I remind members that they may vote only once—for only one candidate in each round—and that they must use only their yes button when voting. If any member casts more than one yes vote, their votes will be treated as spoiled and neither yes vote will count. Members wishing to record an abstention will have an opportunity to do so at the end of the voting for the candidates.

Once all the voting has been completed, there will be a short delay of a few minutes while the result is verified. I will then announce the number of votes that have been cast, the number of votes for each of the candidates and the number of abstentions. A candidate will be elected if an overall majority is obtained. If no majority is obtained, the candidate or candidates with the smallest number of votes will be eliminated and we will proceed to a further round of voting. A number of rounds may be necessary to ensure the election of four members to the corporate body.

The first vote is for members who wish to support Robert Brown. Members who wish to cast their vote for Robert Brown should vote yes now.

Members voted.

There will now be a pause of around one minute to allow the voting record to be printed.

There were a number of no votes cast and a number of abstentions. I remind members that they have only one yes vote for the entire round.

The next vote is for members who wish to support Margo MacDonald. Members who wish to cast their vote for Margo MacDonald should vote yes now.

Members voted.

The next vote is for members who wish to support Duncan McNeil. Members who wish to cast their vote for Mr McNeil should vote yes now.

[Members voted.]

The next vote is for members who wish to support John Scott. Members who wish to cast their vote for Mr Scott should vote yes now.

[Members voted.]

The next vote is for members who wish to support Andrew Welsh. Members who wish to cast their vote for Mr Welsh should vote yes now.

[Members voted.]

Voting for candidates has now concluded. Any member who has not voted for a candidate and wishes to abstain should vote yes now.

[Members voted.]

That is the end of voting. We now need a pause of several minutes to allow for the verification of the vote in the first round.

The total number of votes cast in the first round was 123. I declare the results as follows: Robert Brown 6, Margo MacDonald 14, Mr Duncan McNeil 70, John Scott 19, Mr Andrew Welsh 5, Abstentions 1. There were eight spoiled papers.

VOTES FOR ROBERT BROWN

Division number 6

For: Lyon, George, Pringle, Mike, Purvis, Mr Jeremy, Scott, Tavish, Smith, Iain, Smith, Mrs Margaret

VOTES FOR MARGO MACDONALD

Division number 7

For: Baird, Shiona, Ballance, Chris, Ballard, Mark, Byrne, Ms Rosemary, Curran, Frances, Fox, Colin, Harvie, Patrick, Kane, Rosie, Leckie, Carolyn, MacDonald, Margo, Ruskell, Mr Mark, Sheridan, Tommy, Swinburne, John, Turner, Dr Jean

VOTES FOR MR DUNCAN MCNEIL

Division number 8

For: Alexander, Ms Wendy, Baillie, Jackie, Baker, Mr Richard, Barrie, Scott, Boyack, Sarah, Brankin, Rhona, Brown, Robert, Butler, Bill, Chisholm, Malcolm, Craigie, Cathie, Crawford, Bruce, Cunningham, Roseanna, Curran, Ms Margaret, Deacon, Susan, Eadie, Helen, Fabiani, Linda, Finnie, Ross, Gibson, Mr Rob, Gillon, Karen, Glen, Marlyn, Godman, Trish, Gorrie, Donald, Henry, Hugh, Home Robertson, Mr John, Hughes, Janis, Hyslop, Fiona, Jackson, Dr Sylvia, Jackson, Gordon, Jamieson, Cathy, Jamieson, Margaret, Kerr, Mr Andy, Lamont, Johann, Livingstone, Marilyn, Lochhead, Richard, MacAskill, Mr Kenny, Macdonald, Lewis, Macintosh, Mr Kenneth, Maclean, Kate, Macmillan, Maureen, Martin, Campbell, Martin, Paul, Marwick, Tricia, Matheson, Michael, Maxwell, Mr Stewart, May, Christine, McAveety, Mr Frank, McCabe, Mr Tom, McConnell, Mr Jack, McFee, Mr Bruce, McMahon, Michael, McNulty, Des, Morgan, Alasdair, Morrison, Mr Alasdair, Muldoon, Bristow, Mulligan, Mrs Mary, Munro, John Farquhar, Murray, Dr Elaine, Neil, Alex, Oldfather, Irene, Peacock, Peter, Peattie, Cathy, Smith, Elaine, Stevenson, Stewart, Sturgeon, Nicola, Swinney, Mr John, Wallace, Mr Jim, Watson, Mike, Welsh, Mr Andrew, Whitefield, Karen, Wilson, Allan

VOTES FOR JOHN SCOTT

Division number 9

For: Aitken, Bill, Brocklebank, Mr Ted, Davidson, Mr David, Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James, Fergusson, Alex, Fraser, Murdo, Gallie, Phil, Goldie, Miss Annabel, Johnstone, Alex, McGrigor, Mr Jamie, McLetchie, David, Milne, Mrs Nanette, Mitchell, Margaret, Monteith, Mr Brian, Mundell, David, Raffan, Mr Keith, Scanlon, Mary, Scott, John, Tosh, Mr Murray

VOTES FOR MR ANDREW WELSH

Division number 10

For: Ewing, Fergus, Ewing, Mrs Margaret, Ingram, Mr Adam, Mather, Mr Jim, Robison, Shona

I remind members that they will have only one vote in the second round, and that double voting will result in a spoiled paper.

As the result of the first round is valid, and as Mr Duncan McNeil has received more votes than the total number of votes cast for all the other candidates, I declare that Mr Duncan McNeil is selected for appointment to the SPCB.

That takes us to the second round of voting. The candidates are Robert Brown, Margo MacDonald, John Scott and Mr Andrew Welsh.

The next vote is for members who wish to vote for Robert Brown. Members who wish to cast their vote for Robert Brown should vote yes now.

Members voted.

The next vote is for members who wish to support Margo MacDonald. Members who wish to cast their vote for Margo MacDonald should vote yes now.

Members voted.

The next vote is for members who wish to support John Scott. Members who wish to cast their vote for John Scott should vote yes now.

Members voted.

The next vote is for members who wish to support Mr Andrew Welsh. Members who wish to vote for Mr Welsh should vote yes now.

Members voted.

Voting for candidates is now concluded. Any member who has not voted for a candidate and who wishes to abstain should vote yes now.

That concludes the second round of voting. There will be a pause of several minutes to allow the results to be verified.

The votes cast in the second round of voting are as follows: Robert Brown 7, Margo MacDonald 15, John Scott 18, Mr Andrew Welsh 84.

VOTES FOR ROBERT BROWN

Division number 11

For: Boyack, Sarah, Gillon, Karen, Jackson, Gordon, Macintosh, Mr Kenneth, Martin, Paul, Muldoon, Bristow, Watson, Mike

VOTES FOR MARGO MACDONALD

Division number 12

For: Baird, Shiona, Ballance, Chris, Ballard, Mark, Byrne, Ms Rosemary, Curran, Frances, Fox, Colin, Harper, Robin, Harvie, Patrick, Kane, Rosie, Leckie, Carolyn, MacDonald, Margo, Ruskell, Mr Mark, Sheridan, Tommy, Swinburne, John, Turner, Dr Jean

VOTES FOR JOHN SCOTT

Division number 13

For: Aitken, Bill, Brocklebank, Mr Ted, Davidson, Mr David, Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James, Fergusson, Alex, Fraser, Murdo, Gallie, Phil, Goldie, Miss Annabel, Johnstone, Alex, McGrigor, Mr Jamie, McLetchie, David, Milne, Mrs Nanette, Mitchell, Margaret, Monteith, Mr Brian, Mundell, David, Scanlon, Mary, Scott, John, Tosh, Mr Murray

VOTES FOR MR ANDREW WELSH

Division number 14

For: Alexander, Ms Wendy, Baillie, Jackie, Baker, Mr Richard, Barrie, Scott, Brankin, Rhona, Brown, Robert, Butler, Bill, Chisholm, Malcolm, Craigie, Cathie, Crawford, Bruce, Cunningham, Roseanna, Curran, Ms Margaret, Deacon, Susan, Ewing, Fergus, Ewing, Mrs Margaret, Fabiani, Linda, Ferguson, Patricia, Finnie, Ross, Gibson, Mr Rob, Glen, Marlyn, Godman, Trish, Gorrie, Donald, Grahame, Christine, Henry, Hugh, Home Robertson, Mr John, Hughes, Janis, Hyslop, Fiona, Ingram, Mr Adam, Jackson, Dr Sylvia, Jamieson, Cathy, Jamieson, Margaret, Kerr, Mr Andy, Lamont, Johann, Livingstone, Marilyn, Lochhead, Richard, Lyon, George, MacAskill, Mr Kenny, Macdonald, Lewis, Maclean, Kate, Macmillan, Maureen, Martin, Campbell, Marwick, Tricia, Mather, Mr Jim, Matheson, Michael, Maxwell, Mr Stewart, May, Christine, McAveety, Mr Frank, McCabe, Mr Tom, McConnell, Mr Jack, McFee, Mr Bruce, McMahon, Michael, McNeil, Mr Duncan, McNeill, Pauline, McNulty, Des, Morgan, Alasdair, Morrison, Mr Alasdair, Mulligan, Mrs Mary, Munro, John Farquhar, Murray, Dr Elaine, Neil, Alex, Oldfather, Irene, Peacock, Peter, Peattie, Cathy, Pringle, Mike, Purvis, Mr Jeremy, Radcliffe, Nora, Raffan, Mr Keith, Robison, Shona, Robson, Euan, Rumbles, Mike, Scott, Tavish, Smith, Elaine, Smith, Iain, Smith, Mrs Margaret, Stephen, Nicol, Stevenson, Stewart, Stone, Mr Jamie, Sturgeon, Nicola, Swinney, Mr John, Wallace, Mr Jim, Welsh, Mr Andrew, White, Ms Sandra, Whitefield, Karen, Wilson, Allan

As the result is valid, and as Mr Andrew Welsh has received more votes than the total number of votes cast for the other candidates, I declare that Mr Andrew Welsh is selected for appointment to the SPCB.

That takes us to the third round of voting, in which the candidates are Robert Brown, Margo MacDonald and John Scott.

The first vote is for members who wish to support Robert Brown. Members who wish to cast their vote for Robert Brown should vote yes now.

Members voted.

The next vote is for members who wish to support Margo MacDonald. Members who wish to cast their vote for Margo MacDonald should vote yes now.

Members voted.

The next vote is for members who wish to support John Scott. Members who wish to cast their vote for John Scott should vote yes now.

Members voted.

Any member who has not voted for a candidate and who wishes to abstain should vote yes now.

The voting period has ended. There will be a pause for vote verification; members will be glad to know that the pauses become progressively shorter with each round.

A total of 120 votes were cast in the third round of voting and there was one spoiled paper and no abstentions. The votes cast in the third round of voting are as follows: Robert Brown 89, Margo MacDonald 14, John Scott 16.

VOTES FOR ROBERT BROWN

Division number 15

For: Alexander, Ms Wendy, Baillie, Jackie, Baker, Mr Richard, Barrie, Scott, Boyack, Sarah, Brankin, Rhona, Brown, Robert, Butler, Bill, Chisholm, Malcolm, Craigie, Cathie, Crawford, Bruce, Cunningham, Roseanna, Curran, Ms Margaret, Deacon, Susan, Eadie, Helen, Ewing, Fergus, Ewing, Mrs Margaret, Fabiani, Linda, Ferguson, Patricia, Finnie, Ross, Gibson, Mr Rob, Gillon, Karen, Glen, Marlyn, Godman, Trish, Gorrie, Donald, Grahame, Christine, Henry, Hugh, Home Robertson, Mr John, Hughes, Janis, Hyslop, Fiona, Ingram, Mr Adam, Jackson, Dr Sylvia, Jackson, Gordon, Jamieson, Cathy, Jamieson, Margaret, Kerr, Mr Andy, Lamont, Johann, Livingstone, Marilyn, Lochhead, Richard, Lyon, George, MacAskill, Mr Kenny, Macdonald, Lewis, Macintosh, Mr Kenneth, Maclean, Kate, Macmillan, Maureen, Martin, Campbell, Martin, Paul, Marwick, Tricia, Matheson, Michael, Maxwell, Mr Stewart, May, Christine, McAveety, Mr Frank, McCabe, Mr Tom, McConnell, Mr Jack, McFee, Mr Bruce, McMahon, Michael, McNeil, Mr Duncan, McNeill, Pauline, McNulty, Des, Morgan, Alasdair, Muldoon, Bristow, Mulligan, Mrs Mary, Munro, John Farquhar, Murray, Dr Elaine, Neil, Alex, Oldfather, Irene, Peacock, Peter, Peattie, Cathy, Pringle, Mike, Purvis, Mr Jeremy, Radcliffe, Nora, Raffan, Mr Keith, Robison, Shona, Robson, Euan, Rumbles, Mike, Scott, Tavish, Smith, Elaine, Smith, Iain, Smith, Mrs Margaret, Stephen, Nicol, Stevenson, Stewart, Stone, Mr Jamie, Sturgeon, Nicola, Swinney, Mr John, Wallace, Mr Jim, Welsh, Mr Andrew, White, Ms Sandra, Whitefield, Karen, Wilson, Allan

VOTES FOR MARGO MACDONALD

Division number 16

For: Baird, Shiona, Ballance, Chris, Ballard, Mark, Byrne, Ms Rosemary, Curran, Frances, Fox, Colin, Harvie, Patrick, Kane, Rosie, Leckie, Carolyn, MacDonald, Margo, Ruskell, Mr Mark, Sheridan, Tommy, Swinburne, John, Turner, Dr Jean

VOTES FOR JOHN SCOTT

Division number 17

For: Aitken, Bill, Brocklebank, Mr Ted, Davidson, Mr David, Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James, Fergusson, Alex, Fraser, Murdo, Gallie, Phil, Goldie, Miss Annabel, Johnstone, Alex, McGrigor, Mr Jamie, McLetchie, David, Monteith, Mr Brian, Mundell, David, Scanlon, Mary, Scott, John, Tosh, Mr Murray

As the result is valid, and as Robert Brown has received more votes than the total number of votes cast for the other candidates, I declare that Robert Brown is selected for appointment to the SPCB.

That takes us to the fourth and—I hope—final round of voting, in which there are two candidates. They are Margo MacDonald and John Scott. The procedure is as before: members who wish to support Margo MacDonald should vote yes now.

Members voted.

The next vote is for members who wish to support John Scott. Members who wish to cast their vote for John Scott should vote yes now.

Members voted.

Voting for candidates is now concluded. Any member who has not voted for a candidate and wishes to abstain should vote yes now.

In the fourth, and final, round of voting, 120 votes were cast and there were no spoiled papers. The results of the fourth round of voting are as follows: Margo MacDonald 24, John Scott 93, and Abstentions 3.

VOTES FOR MARGO MACDONALD

Division number 18

For: Baillie, Jackie, Baird, Shiona, Ballance, Chris, Ballard, Mark, Byrne, Ms Rosemary, Curran, Frances, Deacon, Susan, Eadie, Helen, Fox, Colin, Gillon, Karen, Gorrie, Donald, Harper, Robin, Harvie, Patrick, Jackson, Gordon, Kane, Rosie, Leckie, Carolyn, MacDonald, Margo, Muldoon, Bristow, Pringle, Mike, Ruskell, Mr Mark, Sheridan, Tommy, Smith, Elaine, Swinburne, John, Turner, Dr Jean

VOTES FOR JOHN SCOTT

Division number 19

For: Aitken, Bill, Alexander, Ms Wendy, Baker, Mr Richard, Barrie, Scott, Brankin, Rhona, Brown, Robert, Butler, Bill, Chisholm, Malcolm, Craigie, Cathie, Crawford, Bruce, Cunningham, Roseanna, Curran, Ms Margaret, Davidson, Mr David, Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James, Ewing, Fergus, Ewing, Mrs Margaret, Fabiani, Linda, Ferguson, Patricia, Fergusson, Alex, Finnie, Ross, Fraser, Murdo, Gallie, Phil, Gibson, Mr Rob, Glen, Marlyn, Godman, Trish, Goldie, Miss Annabel, Grahame, Christine, Home Robertson, Mr John, Hughes, Janis, Hyslop, Fiona, Ingram, Mr Adam, Jackson, Dr Sylvia, Jamieson, Cathy, Jamieson, Margaret, Johnstone, Alex, Kerr, Mr Andy, Lamont, Johann, Livingstone, Marilyn, Lochhead, Richard, Lyon, George, MacAskill, Mr Kenny, Macdonald, Lewis, Macintosh, Mr Kenneth, Macmillan, Maureen, Martin, Campbell, Marwick, Tricia, Mather, Mr Jim, Matheson, Michael, Maxwell, Mr Stewart, May, Christine, McAveety, Mr Frank, McCabe, Mr Tom, McConnell, Mr Jack, McFee, Mr Bruce, McGrigor, Mr Jamie, McLetchie, David, McMahon, Michael, McNeil, Mr Duncan, McNeill, Pauline, McNulty, Des, Milne, Mrs Nanette, Mitchell, Margaret, Monteith, Mr Brian, Morgan, Alasdair, Mulligan, Mrs Mary, Mundell, David, Munro, John Farquhar, Murray, Dr Elaine, Neil, Alex, Oldfather, Irene, Peacock, Peter, Peattie, Cathy, Radcliffe, Nora, Raffan, Mr Keith, Robison, Shona, Robson, Euan, Rumbles, Mike, Scanlon, Mary, Scott, John, Scott, Tavish, Smith, Mrs Margaret, Stephen, Nicol, Stevenson, Stewart, Stone, Mr Jamie, Sturgeon, Nicola, Swinney, Mr John, Tosh, Mr Murray, Wallace, Mr Jim, Watson, Mike, Welsh, Mr Andrew, White, Ms Sandra, Whitefield, Karen, Wilson, Allan

As the result is valid, and as John Scott has received more votes than the number of votes cast for the other candidate, I declare that John Scott is selected for appointment to the SPCB.

As four members have now been selected for appointment to the SPCB, the election process is complete. I offer my congratulations to members who have been selected and invite them to meet me briefly in my room at parliamentary headquarters at quarter to 4.

Meeting closed at 15:22.