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I have a fairly technical issue to raise about the bill, which was raised with us by the Law Society of Scotland. For completeness, I should say that, as my entry in the register of members’ interests discloses, I am a member of the Law Society. The society’s point relates to section 4, which sets out the process by which ministers can make regulations. It states that,

“If the Scottish Ministers consider that regulations under section 3(2) need to be made urgently”

and come into effect immediately, they must be accompanied by a “statement of their reasons”. The Law Society believes that that statement of reasons should also explain why it is necessary to make the regulations urgently before they are approved by Parliament.

In what scenarios might the emergency legislation be used, and what safeguards will be put in place to ensure effective parliamentary scrutiny?

I want to raise two issues. Following on from your statement, cabinet secretary, I would say that the public are increasingly aware of omicron and it is encouraging to see so many people coming forward for boosters and showing awareness of the risks of mixing with others. That said, we are all aware that Christmas is just over a week away and a lot of people have already made plans to see family and friends at that time. There will be some concern at the prospect that those Christmas plans, which have already been put in place, might be disrupted by any further new restrictions that might be brought in over the next week. Is there a prospect of any stricter rules being brought in that will affect the Christmas period?

Thank you. My second question is on the slightly different topic of the regulations that the First Minister announced to the Parliament on Tuesday and which are to be introduced from tomorrow. A draft has been shared with us, and the regulations relating to businesses and other venues such as places of worship refer to guidance being issued by the Scottish ministers and say that those responsible must have regard to it. Where is that guidance, and how do people access it?

I appreciate that clear answer. What would be the last date on which any additional restrictions that would impact on Christmas might be announced?

The regulations, as I read them, say that persons must have regard to the guidance. That does not sound to me like a legal obligation on businesses or places of worship to follow them. Is that correct?

Thank you for that clarity. The regulations say that they come into force on 17 December, which is tomorrow, but you have said that the guidance will not be available until then. I appreciate the need to consult those who will be affected, but it does not give people very much time to access and implement the guidance if the regulations come into force on the same day.

Thank you, convener. I will bring in some other panel members. Who will I pick on? Professor Quinn, I am interested to get your thoughts on the questions of vaccination hesitancy and people’s distrust of Government, which we discussed earlier and which Hilda Campbell just touched on. There is a conversation about making vaccines compulsory or at least, as other countries have done, imposing additional restrictions on the unvaccinated. Would that be helpful or counterproductive?

Dr Williamson, can you give us your perspective on this?

I say good morning to the witnesses.

My question is first of all for Magda Czarnecka from Feniks. I am interested to get her views on what has been said. The numbers show that there is a particular issue in the Polish community with a lack of vaccine uptake. We have heard from other witnesses that there is an issue with suspicion of Government. I am interested to get the witnesses’ thoughts on whether that is a driving factor.

Over the past few weeks, in other parts of Europe, a tightening of restrictions, particularly on the unvaccinated, has developed. Some countries have introduced lockdowns for unvaccinated people. In some countries, there has been a conversation about making vaccination compulsory. We have not gone anywhere close to that here, but vaccination passports have been introduced in Scotland and then elsewhere in the UK. I am interested in the witnesses’ perspectives on whether such an approach is likely to encourage people to be vaccinated or might have the opposite effect.

Thank you. Could Dr Lunan come in and give us some general observations and then some thoughts on that specific question?