Chamber and committees

Thank you.

I want to ask a little bit more along those lines. In general, scientific data that is produced will often be checked by peers just to test its robustness. In essence, are you saying that the scientists are looking for another confirmation of the existing data, so that we can guarantee its veracity?

Does Meghan Gallacher agree that women have been silently judged for hundreds of years in going about their daily life? The bill will seek to address that in terms of how women feel when they are running the gauntlet of individuals whose intention it is, through silent prayer, to intimidate and harass. That will be the crux of the argument that she is bringing.

Does John Mason agree that the debate around abortion has already reached a settled position in that we have access to safe and legal abortion for all women who might choose to have that healthcare? The debate is about access, without fear of intimidation or harassment, to that healthcare by women who seek to avail themselves of such services.

Will John Mason give way?

Will the member take an intervention on that point?

I am interested in financial implications and timescales for implementation. The committee has received written evidence about fishers being concerned about the level of investment that they will have to make to meet the requirements, should the system come into being. The effect will not be felt equally across the various fishing activities or perhaps even across different sizes of vessels and so on. Such equipment is in place in various places around the world, including Canada, the US, New Zealand and other parts of the UK, which are also looking to bring in a wider model. How appropriate is it that fishers should pay the full costs associated with the purchase, installation and on-going maintenance of REM equipment, and is it clear what those costs would be?

A range of estimates is contained in the business and regulatory impact assessment. Does anybody on the panel have examples from other places in the world where the technology is used of how Governments and fishers coped with the costs associated with it? Have there been any incentives, or has the cost been met by industry?

Do you have examples from other sectors in which high compliance is required, such as animal welfare? Perhaps there is monitoring equipment in abattoirs for compliance? Is there a comparable example of an incentive being provided or a cost being met by the Government?

I have a question about the lead-in time. It was communicated that there would perhaps be a two-year lead-in, but from what we have before us it appears that the lead-in time has been slightly truncated. Are there concerns about that? On procuring the equipment, we heard earlier today that people are not so sure whether the market will be able to cope with the demand that might be placed on it in the next wee while. Does anybody have comments on lead-in times?

As the MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, where there are many rural off-grid properties that rely on oil and solid fuels as their primary heating source, I ask the minister for clarification of the definition of emergency heating in the new-build heat standard, which states that such fuels can be used in some cases, where a need can be justified.

Given that wood-burning stoves are the most reliable and cost-effective backstop in isolated areas, and that they can help to address the significant issue of rural fuel poverty, can the minister provide assurance that building standards verifiers will interpret the regulations in a way that provides certainty for house builders?