Minutes: 27 February 2024

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.

Sandesh Gulhane declared an interest as a practising NHS GP.

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

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda items 3 and 4.