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Pathfinders to the Parliament
Introduction
In January 1999 Lord Macdonald, the then Scottish Business & Industry Minister, launched the 'Pathfinders to the Parliament' initiative. The aim of the initiative was to give key industrial and business sectors the opportunity to set out their priorities for action by the forthcoming Scottish Parliament. The initiative formed part of the Government's determination to work with, and learn from, the Scottish business community and to improve business's understanding of the powers, and responsibilities, of the new Parliament.
Thirteen Pathfinder Groups were established. Each one was chaired by a senior figure with expertise in, and a sound knowledge of, that particular sector. The Groups were: Construction, Defence, Drinks and Hospitality, Electronics, Engineering, Finance, Manufacturing, Retail, Small Business, Textiles, Tourism, Transport and Utilities.
The 'Pathfinders to the Parliament' Report was published in March 1999 drawing on the recommendations of each of the Groups which had considered issues within their particular sectors. Some issues such as skills are obviously relevant to all business sectors in Scotland and these issues indeed feature in many of the individual reports. There was a general view that more needs to be done to improve and adapt the education system at all levels in Scotland, including the promotion of a more entrepreneurial culture. The need to improve the transport infrastructure in Scotland is highlighted in a number of recommendations. E-commerce, the planning system and statistics for business sectors were also highlighted as priority areas.
Some of the recommendations in the Report are not within the powers of the Scottish Parliament to implement and others relate to specific sectors. Overall there was a clear message from Scottish business that it wants to assist, and be involved with, the Scottish Parliament in whatever way is best, be this sectoral forums or through involvement with the Committees of the Parliament.
This report sets out the recommendations, by sector, of the 1999 Report and provides comment against each one of the recommendations of the 13 Pathfinder Sub Groups (in alphabetical order). Some of the issues identified above appear in several different sub-sectors as they are applicable to more than one business sector in Scotland.
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