Minutes: 27 February 2024

Tuesday, 27 February 2024

6th Meeting, 2024

Start time: 09:00am

End time: 12:05pm

Location: T4.60-CR6 The Livingstone Room

Published: Wednesday, 28 February 2024

Committee Member attendees:

Apologies received from:

Ruth Maguire (Member)

Substitute Member attendees:

Also present:

Gillian Mackay did not participate as a member of the Committee by virtue of Rule 9.13A.2(b), but attended in her capacity as member in charge of the Bill under Rule 12.2.3(a). Ross Greer attended as a substitute member under Rule 12.2A.2.

Minutes

1. Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

The Committee received a briefing from Scottish Government officials.

2. Decisions on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 5 in private and also agreed to consider, in private at future meetings, evidence heard at those meetings as part of its Stage 1 scrutiny of the Abortion (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill.

3. Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence on commissioned research on comparable legislation and its implementation worldwide from—

Emily Ottley, Independent Researcher.

Sandesh Gulhane declared an interest as a practising NHS GP.

4. Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence at Stage 1, on the impact of the Bill for those accessing abortion services, from—

Alice Murray;

Lily Roberts;

Lucy Grieve, Co-Founder, Back Off Scotland;

Rachael Clarke, Chief of Staff, British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS);

Dr Rebecca Mason, Research and Policy Lead, The Young Women’s Movement.