Chamber and committees

I thank the minister for her evidence. We will take a short break to enable the minister to leave.

I thank all the witnesses very much. I was going to ask about the definition of conversion therapy, but I think that the witnesses probably covered that in their opening remarks.

We have four witnesses. You might agree with what another witness has said, so do not feel obliged to answer every question if you do not have something else to say. We have about an hour for questions. The first question is from Pam Gosal.

Does anyone else have any other evidence? Maxwell Reay mentioned some direct evidence in texts and suchlike.

The next item on the agenda is evidence on a statement of reasons that has been lodged to accompany the draft proposal for a member’s bill, the disabled children and young people (transitions to adulthood) (Scotland) bill. I welcome Paul O’Kane, who is attending as a substitute for Pam Duncan-Glancy for consideration of this item. I invite Paul to declare any relevant interests.

We will suspend the meeting to allow witnesses for item 5 to come to the table.

Thank you for that.

Jayne, in your answer to Alexander Stewart, you mentioned New Zealand and Australia. I think that Germany’s approach has been flagged to us in the past as well. If Scotland is to legislate, we obviously want to look at best practice. It would be good to hear your perspective on that, based on the research that you have done about the different approaches, particularly in relation to Australia and New Zealand.

Good morning and welcome to the 7th meeting in 2021 of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee.

Under item 1, do members agree to take in private item 7, which is consideration of today’s evidence on petition PE1817?

Members indicated agreement.

Thank you for that powerful evidence.

Okay. As I said, we are slightly over time, and as no one else has a burning question to ask, I thank all the witnesses for taking the time to come along. Their evidence has been really powerful, as has all the evidence that we have taken.

I think it useful to highlight that, last week, in a safe space, the committee took evidence in private from survivors of conversion therapy. Therefore, as well as hearing from the witnesses today, we have heard from a range of people who have direct experience of conversion practices.