Chamber and committees

Thank you very much. Unless Vic Valentine or Paul Daly wants to make an opening statement, we will go straight to questions.

There are a fair number of areas that we want to ask about and, with four witnesses on the panel, it will take for ever if everyone answers every question. The witnesses should make some sort of signal as to who will answer a question so that I know to bring them in. Some committee members might direct their questions at one witness or another.

I will ask the first question that I asked last week. In the written evidence that we received, many people from both sides—whether they are in favour of or against a ban—made the point that it is important that we define conversion therapy. Obviously, before we ban something, we need to know what that something is. Does Vic Valentine want to kick off on that?

We look forward to getting that in writing later.

Pam, do you want to come in with your other brief question?

I am sure that we will come back to speak to the cabinet secretary about that issue.

Our next item of business is consideration of a Scottish statutory instrument that is subject to the negative procedure. I refer members to paper 6.

As no member has indicated that they have any comments to make, are we content formally to make no recommendation to Parliament on the instrument?

Members indicated agreement.

Thank you. We are keen to explore a number of issues. I do not think that we have time to cover everything today, so we will almost certainly be writing to you about a few points that we want to pick up on. Committee members will focus on issues that they are particularly interested to hear more about.

We are keen to try to pin you down a little bit more on the timescales for legislation. You mentioned two bills in particular that you expect to be introduced, one of which will be in this parliamentary year. Can you give any further indication about when we can expect legislation to come before the committee? That will help with our planning for the work that we intend to do.

In a second, Pam Gosal will ask about the proposals on gender recognition. First, I will ask about the human rights legislation. You said that work is on-going. Will the committee see some of that work? As you develop the proposals, is the work likely to be published, or will that mainly take place behind closed doors?

Fulton, do you want back in on that point, or do you want to move on to your next question?

We will now move into private session for the final items on the agenda.

Item 2 is further evidence on petition PE1817, which calls for an end to conversion therapy. I welcome to the meeting our first panel of witnesses: Megan Snedden, policy and campaigns manager for Stonewall Scotland; Dr Rebecca Crowther, policy co-ordinator for the Equality Network; Vic Valentine, manager for the Scottish Trans Alliance; and Paul Daly, policy and research manager for LGBT Youth Scotland.

We are keen to hear a brief introduction from each of the witnesses. I ask Megan Snedden to kick off.