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That is helpful.

Again, that is incredibly helpful. If we are in—[Interruption.]

I am sorry, Bob—I cut across you.

That is helpful. The discussion that was had about how we capture the proxy vote ended up in what we saw, certainly in the early stages of the first proxy vote: the giving of an explanation, the name of the member and the way that the vote was cast, so that that could be captured in the Official Report.

Again, it is an iterative approach. What you said about stage 3 is, no doubt, being looked at. It is helpful to start the capture of the evidence in order to consider how proxy voting goes forward, because there was that challenge at stage 3.

I do not know the correct answer, but the strong discussions that we had—about ensuring the capture of the vote and an explanation of why a different member is casting it—go to the heart of why it was so important to bring in proxy voting.

Do we agree to support the PO’s request for an amendment to the scheme, and to clarify the understanding with regard to the designation of a proxy, which is a valid question? Do we also agree to instruct the clerks to capture evidence for the evaluation that we, as a committee, must undertake?

Members indicated agreement.

I see no issue with doing that. We would be seeking input from the corporate body, as an entity, in our evaluation of proxy voting.

I am aware of a number of strands of correspondence that we have with the corporate body about a number of matters. However, I see no harm in writing to it and, if you are content, Bob, I am happy to do so, just to express where this comes from and what it is about and to ask for its thoughts. The employment and contractual relationships between the corporate body and members of staff do not fall directly within the committee’s remit, but I will reinforce the point that, as a Parliament, we are looking for a developmental and iterative approach to employment that is as widely supportive as possible, in order for us to get our jobs done.

Agenda item 2 is in respect of correspondence that we have received from the Conveners Group, which relates to strengthening net zero scrutiny arrangements. Do members have any comments?

That is helpful. To deal with that second point first, my understanding is that the proxy scheme is operating as we thought it was going to operate. However, I note your concern about the actual wording of the voting scheme and I am more than happy to write to seek clarification. You will recall that we tried to frame it in such a way as to give the Presiding Officer the widest possible opportunity to reach the right decision on individual cases without having to seek medical advice or additional information. Therefore, I am more than happy to write to seek clarification.

Before we deal with your first point, in which you hinted that we should seek more information before reaching a decision, I will ask whether any other members want to come in.

Yes, it is.

That is helpful. Thank you.

That is helpful. After Collette has contributed, I will come back to Bob.