The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Displaying 1193 contributions
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Joe FitzPatrick
Fulton MacGregor might have a further question.
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Joe FitzPatrick
I think that Pam Duncan-Glancy wants to come in on this issue.
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Joe FitzPatrick
Thank you very much. Unless Vic Valentine or Paul Daly wants to make an opening statement, we will go straight to questions.
There are a fair number of areas that we want to ask about and, with four witnesses on the panel, it will take for ever if everyone answers every question. The witnesses should make some sort of signal as to who will answer a question so that I know to bring them in. Some committee members might direct their questions at one witness or another.
I will ask the first question that I asked last week. In the written evidence that we received, many people from both sides—whether they are in favour of or against a ban—made the point that it is important that we define conversion therapy. Obviously, before we ban something, we need to know what that something is. Does Vic Valentine want to kick off on that?
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Joe FitzPatrick
We look forward to getting that in writing later.
12:15Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Joe FitzPatrick
Pam, do you want to come in with your other brief question?
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Joe FitzPatrick
I am sure that we will come back to speak to the cabinet secretary about that issue.
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Joe FitzPatrick
Our next item of business is consideration of a Scottish statutory instrument that is subject to the negative procedure. I refer members to paper 6.
As no member has indicated that they have any comments to make, are we content formally to make no recommendation to Parliament on the instrument?
Members indicated agreement.
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Joe FitzPatrick
Thank you. We are keen to explore a number of issues. I do not think that we have time to cover everything today, so we will almost certainly be writing to you about a few points that we want to pick up on. Committee members will focus on issues that they are particularly interested to hear more about.
We are keen to try to pin you down a little bit more on the timescales for legislation. You mentioned two bills in particular that you expect to be introduced, one of which will be in this parliamentary year. Can you give any further indication about when we can expect legislation to come before the committee? That will help with our planning for the work that we intend to do.
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Joe FitzPatrick
In a second, Pam Gosal will ask about the proposals on gender recognition. First, I will ask about the human rights legislation. You said that work is on-going. Will the committee see some of that work? As you develop the proposals, is the work likely to be published, or will that mainly take place behind closed doors?
11:15Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Meeting date: 14 September 2021
Joe FitzPatrick
Fulton, do you want back in on that point, or do you want to move on to your next question?