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Therefore, at the very least, it is a good proposal for a pilot.

I apologise, but I just want to come in on the previous point. You say that there is not much research on digital imprints, but in other democracies—I am thinking of the US—the requirement for a candidate to affirm a message that is put out to the public has existed for a lot longer. Is there research in the US on the effect of that endorsement? Are you aware of any effect? If so, is it good or bad?

Thank you. I am sorry, Ivan.

I want to come back on registration. We have talked about being registered. For how long should someone stay on the register?

I do not mean to cut across you, but we will come to that specific issue, because I know that you have valuable evidence on that. We are trying to explore the bill in manageable chunks, so we are looking at disqualification at the moment, but we absolutely will come to the issue that you mentioned. I am more than happy for you to write to us afterwards on the point about intimidation.

Good morning, and welcome to the ninth meeting in 2024 of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. We have received apologies from Oliver Mundell MSP; Edward Mountain joins us today as his substitute.

Our first agenda item is a decision on whether to take in private agenda item 3, which is consideration of the evidence heard on the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill. Are members happy to consider that item in private?

Members indicated agreement.

I will bring in Ivan McKee.

I have a question for Ahlam Hamoud Al-Bashiri. One of the things that has been raised with us is the fact that, when an MSP is elected, they have to take an oath of allegiance. Do you see any potential challenges from an individual’s point of view in taking that oath of allegiance? Are there perhaps any unforeseen consequences that we have not considered yet about requiring that of a new MSP who has gone through the entire election process and succeeded, particularly if they have refugee status and so on?

I will push the point about notional spend. I come first to Hannah Stevens. There are proposals in the bill to change the notional spend, which may capture campaigners who were previously not covered. You mentioned grants, for example. Do you have any comments or concerns about an alteration in notional spend, which could either facilitate an easier progress for what you propose or turn into a challenge?

That is lovely. Thank you very much.

Edward Mountain has a question on an earlier point.