Minutes: 31 May 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 6 in private.

2. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the International Organisations (Immunities and Privileges) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2023 [draft] from—

Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, Scottish Government.

3. Subordinate legislation:

Angela Constance (Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs) moved—

S6M-08712—That the Criminal Justice Committee recommends that the International Organisations (Immunities and Privileges) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2023 [draft] be approved.

The motion was agreed to.

4. Tackling online child abuse, grooming and exploitation:

The Committee took evidence from—

Wendy Hart, Deputy Director, Threat Leadership Child Sexual Abuse, National Crime Agency;

Joanne Smith, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, NSPCC Scotland;

Detective Superintendent Martin MacLean, Head of National Child Abuse Investigation Unit, Specialist Crime Division, Police Scotland;

Alison Penman, Senior Manager, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Depute Chair, Child Protection Group, Social Work Scotland;

Stuart Allardyce, Director, Stop it Now! Scotland, Lucy Faithfull Foundation;

Daljeet Dagon, Programme Manager, Barnardo's Scotland.

5. Access to court transcripts:

The Committee considered correspondence from the Scottish Government and Rape Crisis Scotland.

6. Tackling online child abuse, grooming and exploitation (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 4.