Chamber and committees

Thank you. I am not being deliberately difficult. I am keen to understand the likelihood of someone being in prison and choosing that moment to make a declaration.

Thank you. I am nearly finished, convener.

Have you any understanding of how things are working in other countries that already have a self-declaration system? What has been their approach to the prison population?

Thank you. I appreciate that clarification, and in particular the point on normalisation and the differences with regard to prison systems elsewhere.

My final question is on a subject that you have already touched on. You said that, just now, although a gender recognition certificate is important, it is one part of the process. Have you considered the legal effect of such a certificate? In your policy review, have you looked at any legal advice that you have been given on that effect as it would apply in future?

Thank you for that clarity on the value of self-declaration in data collection. Before I ask my final question, I also thank the other panellists, because I have found this evidence session really useful. In particular, I thank James Kerr from the Scottish Prison Service for setting out its considered, sensitive and normalised approach to this, which is refreshing.

How do you think data on the representation of women will be affected by the bill?

Thank you for that answer; that is helpful. I will ask a quick supplementary if that is okay, Chris. What evidence do you have that people would use the bill for bad actor purposes?

Yes. Your point was that it is irreversible and that was conflated with the point about reassignment surgery.

On your point about regulations, what support and guidance would you be able to offer people who apply for a gender recognition certificate? Have you had any conversations with the Government around the guidance that is mentioned in the bill? In particular, what additional support would you be able to offer to 16 and 17-year-olds?

Good morning to the panel and thank you for your opening statements, which I found really helpful.

My first question is also for Paul. Will you set out what the effect of a statutory declaration is and give other examples of how they are used in Scotland today?

Yes, it is very helpful. At what point would you signpost people to the organisations that would provide the broader support? What kind of organisations are they?

You mentioned that you would give information on the consequences of applying for a gender recognition certificate and changing sex. What do you expect that advice to look like?

Are there aspects of the bill that you think would make the process irreversible?