Chamber and committees

Piers, you talked about younger children and parental rights. How do you see that playing out, especially when a lot of younger children will not know what has happened to them until much later on, because they believe their parents? How do you see them speaking out and that being policed?

Good morning. The proposed cross-party group on India seeks to promote relationships between Scotland and India. The principal aim of our CPG is to work with organisations and authorities to strengthen cultural, educational and economic ties between our two countries. Given the size of the Indian economy, forging a closer relationship with India has the potential to be extremely beneficial for our society, economy and development. It would be the first CPG focused on India in the history of the Scottish Parliament. Indians and people of Indian heritage who live in Scotland have contributed greatly to our communities, society and culture. Therefore, the CPG on India would provide a great opportunity to promote our common interests and shared heritage; it would also provide the perfect opportunity for MSPs to meet prominent dignitaries from the Indian community.

I do not expect that the CPG on India would infringe on other groups. I believe that the group would bring great economic and social benefits to Scotland and India, so I hope that the committee agrees to its registration.

I echo what was said earlier about workload. I have taken into account that there are many CPGs and that MSPs have a high workload, but I have also taken into account how important the work of the proposed group is to building our economy after the pandemic. I have cross-party support for the group.

Good morning. I thank the witnesses for their opening statements and for sharing their personal experiences.

Although no one is under any illusion about the need for a comprehensive legislative ban on conversion therapy, the committee is aware that some faith-based organisations might express concern that a ban might cross over into some religious practices. Would a ban on conversion practices have an impact on the support that is provided by some religious leaders?

Thank you. I come from a background of regulatory services and trading standards, so I thought that it would be good to ask a question about how we would enforce any provisions.

In relation to the urgency around the bill, what more can we do so that we do not hinder anyone’s religious beliefs and practices and, instead, focus more on the actual ban? We have talked a little bit about information and education around the bill, but I would like to hear further views.

Thank you for your opening statement. How do you see the Scottish Government turning the proposed bill around with full support and engagement from all the necessary organisations? What organisations do you think that the Scottish Government should be working with to ensure smooth delivery?

Today, we have heard that conversion therapy happens in the home, the community and religious settings. I want to ask about the enforcement agencies and complaints system around the ban, should it be implemented. Given what you know about other countries that have worked on such measures, who should be responsible for enforcement? Should we outsource that to a public body, such as the Equality and Human Rights Commission, or should the third sector be involved as well?

I thank the witnesses for their helpful opening statements. I know that you have all touched on this, but does increased participation deliver better budgets, and what needs to be in place for it to be successful? What is your experience of creating and delivering opportunities for participation?

Thank you, convener, and good morning, Rhoda.

We hope that we are getting over Covid, and we are in a very different place. Rhoda, you said that no further consultation is needed, but would there be a benefit in talking again to organisations, given that they were consulted more than a year ago?

I vote yes.