Seòmar agus comataidhean

Who is that addressed to?

Will you talk a little about your concerns about school closures specifically?

What specifically do you propose in that area?

That is well said.

Are you basically saying that the guidance has worked during the past two years, so there is no need for permanent legislation in those areas?

Thank you for your time. I apologise to colleagues who want to continue this very interesting conversation. I thank Megan Farr and Liam Fowley for their evidence and time this morning.

That brings the public part of our committee meeting to an end.

We will now hear from our second panel of witnesses as we continue to take evidence on the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill at stage 1. I welcome Megan Farr, policy officer at the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, and Liam Fowley, vice-chair of the board of directors of the Scottish Youth Parliament. Unfortunately, we are a bit short of time today and we have a lot of questions, so I ask you to give us quick, brief answers—that would be fantastic. If any outstanding matters need to be followed up, that can be done in writing.

Megan Farr, in your written evidence, you say:

“states’ abilities to interfere with human rights in a time of emergency are not unlimited. Any emergency powers must be lawful, necessary, proportionate and time limited ... We therefore have considerable concerns about the proposals in this legislation which would place what were time limited emergency measures permanently into statute, for use by any future government without prior reference to Parliament.”

Would you like to expand on what you gave us in writing?

No—it is me being very dense.

I appreciate that. Our final round of questions will be led by Willie Rennie.

The tendering process is supposed to create a level playing field, but if the situation is as you have just described it, it is almost designed to create an uneven playing field, because the smaller charities cannot get—[Interruption.]

I am sorry—go on, Jim.