Chamber and committees

If someone has anything to add, that is grand. If not, I suggest that, in the interests of time, we move on.

Naeema, do you want to comment?

Thanks very much to all of you.

We have a range of questions from members. I will just advise our witnesses that, although you might well be tempted to stray into other areas, I must ask you to focus on the essence of the question that has been put. It would be helpful if you did that, as other members will come in on other areas.

To start us off, I call Meghan Gallacher.

We now move to our fourth agenda item, which is our final evidence session on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill at reconsideration stage. I welcome to the meeting Shirley-Anne Somerville, who is the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, and her officials. Liz Levy is unit head of children’s rights and the bill lead, Shona Spence is from the bill team and Rachel Nicholson—who is joining us remotely online, and has just popped up in front of me—is a lawyer in the Scottish Government’s legal directorate. Welcome, and thanks to you all.

I also welcome Martin Whitfield, who has joined us for this evidence session. I will, depending on the time, allow Martin to ask questions.

I refer members to papers 4 and 5, and I invite the cabinet secretary to make an opening statement.

Thank you. Naeema, would you like to comment in 30 seconds as well?

That concludes our questions. I thank all our panellists. It has been a very interesting and enlightening session. I will suspend the meeting briefly to allow a changeover of witnesses.

Cabinet secretary, would you like to bring in Rachel Nicholson at this point? She has indicated that she might wish to speak, but it is up to you.

Thank you. I will move on to Karen Adam.

I want to move on, because time is precious. I know that members are going to be covering some of the points that will come up, so everyone will get an opportunity to comment.

I invite Dr Andrew Tickell to speak.