Seòmar agus comataidhean

My understanding is that the constitutions of the majority of Council of Europe member states explicitly and deliberately provide no bar to running as a candidate. Irrespective of the reasons for disqualification that we are looking to, and the substantial evidence that the proposals would be welcomed by a significant group, there is a fundamental question about the point at which you bar someone from being a potential candidate in the same way as you might bar people from voting. That fundamental question needs to be looked at, so any additional evidence would be incredibly helpful.

I am grateful.

On the inclusion of others in advice from outside the knowledge of the Scottish Government—and, indeed, of this committee—I invite Bob Doris to pose his short questions.

That is fine.

So, the initial test is an internal one for those who produce the document to decide whether to put the digital imprint on it. They would then defend the decision that it was not “reasonably practicable” in that case.

The fine is for an electoral breach that relates to a specific election rather than just any old election.

It would be helpful for the committee to understand what the conflict is, because this question goes to the heart of whether something needs to appear in the bill, rather than in secondary legislation.

I am sorry to cut across you, but is the Scottish Government actively thinking of piloting that solution?

I will come back to you, James. Kay Sillars wants to come in on the pilot schemes.

Do you have confidence in the process for identifying a problem and for identifying and piloting a solution? That would take longer than just biting the bullet and saying that something is going to happen.

Thank you. Alice, did you want to come in on notional spend?