Chamber and committees

We are a bit tight for time, but I would like to come in on a point that you made, Alasdair. As you know, on Monday, we visited Blackburn and met members of the bonfire night action group. They spoke about control zones and talked about the stigma of living in or near such a zone. Comments were made about the issue that Rona Mackay raised—that of control zones simply displacing bad behaviour. I would be interested to hear whether you have any further comments on that. What are your thoughts on how such zones would be policed?

I thank all of our witnesses for what has been a really useful session. We have covered a lot.

We will now have a short break to allow a changeover of witnesses.

We move to our second evidence session on the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill. I am pleased to welcome to the meeting Rob Holland, who is acting director of the National Autistic Society Scotland, Lorraine Gillies, who is chief officer of the Scottish Community Safety Network, and Gilly Mendes Ferreira, who is head of education, policy and research at the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. We appreciate the time that you have taken to join us.

I intend to allow from an hour to an hour and 15 minutes for questions and answers. We move directly to questions, starting with a general question from me. I will work my way around the room, starting with Gilly Mendes Ferreira, then Lorraine Gillies and Rob Holland.

Please outline your experience of and involvement in issues to do with fireworks and pyrotechnic articles. From your perspective, are the provisions of the bill the right step at the right time?

I will bring in Katy Clark.

That is very interesting. You have covered a lot there. I will hand over to Russell Findlay, then bring in Katy Clark to ask some questions about licensing.

I want to pick up on a point that you made in response to Rona Mackay’s questions. You said that there has been a lot of positive feedback on the Aberdeen virtual trials. However, last week, we took evidence from the Scottish Solicitors Bar Association, which has concerns about the option of virtual trials because they diminish the “solemnity of proceedings”. Do you accept that not everyone is in favour of the virtual trial option? Is work being done to allay some of the fears about it?

Okay, thank you. Fulton?

That is very helpful. Russell Findlay is next and then we will work our way round the room.

We will move swiftly on. Members have questions on time limits in criminal cases.

Does Fulton MacGregor want to pick up on anything relating to time limits?