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The bill would not stop both happening in tandem.

I am sorry, but can you explain to me how a Government that remains neutral on a bill could not or would not submit a financial resolution?

In paragraph 12 of its report, the DPLR Committee noted that

“during the passage of the Bill, it was suggested that this information would be similar to that already required for scheme members, which is limited to the gender and National Insurance number of the individual.”

What was the change from the passage of the bill until now?

Do you not have the figures today, or you do not have them at all? Is it not something that you have looked at?

Minister, what is the Government’s assessment of how many people should be registered but currently are not?

Yes. Thank you.

You have been doing that for 18 months or so, but you still cannot provide any numbers.

That is fine.

Before we move to the next item, we will briefly suspend to allow for a changeover of officials.

The next item on our agenda is an evidence session on the Schools (Residential, Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill. The bill, which was introduced by Liz Smith, is at stage 1. The committee will hear from Natalie Don-Innes, the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise; Saskia Kearns, team leader, curriculum development, for the Scottish Government; and Nico McKenzie-Juetten, lawyer, from the Scottish Government legal directorate. Minister, I understand that you wish to make a brief opening statement.