SNP deputy leader chairs key committee

Tangible evidence of Scotland's new politics has emerged with John Swinney, deputy leader of the Scottish National Party, chairing the powerful enterprise and lifelong learning committee, rather than a member of the coalition parties. The 11-member committee includes three SNP, five Labour, two Tory and one Liberal Democrat MSPs. Mr Swinney said one of the committee's enormous challenges would be bridging the gap between further and higher education and the wider development of the Scottish economy.