Seòmar agus comataidhean

This is an opportunity to reflect on how things have gone over the past five or six years. There seems, from some of the evidence that we have taken, to be some concern around the information that Social Security Scotland is recording and our ability to monitor that. Do you think that that should be included in the bill, with more of a statutory duty for information to be recorded, so that we can see how that is going? There is quite a lot of evidence that that is not happening at the moment.

This might be a daft-laddie question, but what happens at the moment? Lynne Macfarlane, is there an agreement between the DWP and Social Security Scotland? What happens day in, day out? Some benefits have been devolved, but the recovery powers in the bill have not been enacted yet.

This is probably not within your area, but I will ask my question just in case it is. In the financial memorandum, I noticed that it is estimated that it will cost £3.78 million to implement the scheme, which seems quite a lot of money to me. Will you unpack what we get for that £3.78 million and explain why it is so expensive?

I have a couple of questions. I am sorry—my mind is working a bit slowly this morning. I go back to the question about the appeal processes being different for Social Security Scotland and the DWP. Is it possible under the agreement, if it is signed by the two parties, that one party could waive its right of appeal and allow either Social Security Scotland or the DWP to do the whole process? Would that legally be possible?

At the moment, if I am on a benefit in Scotland, is that not included in any certificate that is presented to the court?

Thank you.

This is my final question, you will be glad to hear. The bill includes a power to create a criminal offence for failure to comply with the requirements of an investigation. Are witnesses familiar with any similar powers in the current system, and do you have any comment on whether it is reasonable to make it a criminal offence to neglect to comply with an investigation?

Your light has gone on, Lynne, so we obviously think that the question is for you.

In its written submission, VoiceAbility raised concerns about the availability of interpretation services. Do you have any experience of supporting clients who need interpretation or translation services and, if so, is that causing a delay?

I have a quick question to clarify what has been said. Some of the changes that the witnesses have suggested with regard to how the appeal process would work would need a change in the primary legislation. It is not purely about administration and filling out forms. If we were to go to a one appeal or redetermination process, we would need to change the 2018 act. Is that correct?

Mr Gass is nodding—can you just say yes for the record?

Thank you.