Chamber and committees

As members have no other questions, I thank both witnesses for their evidence, which has been really helpful.

We are well past our time, so we will have to wrap up. There is lots for us to think about following the contributions that the witnesses have made. I thank all three of you for your evidence, which has been really helpful. I am sure that we will be back in touch as we consider our work in the future.

We now move to questions. Committee members will direct their questions to witnesses; however, if they have not asked you and you want to come in, just indicate that to me. May Dunsmuir, you can put an R in the chat if you want to come in on anything in particular.

The next item is consideration of a negative instrument. I refer members to paper 1. Do members have any comments on the Registration Services (Fees, etc) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2022?

No members have indicated that they wish to comment. That being the case, are members content not to make any comments formally to the Parliament on the instrument?

Members indicated agreement.

Welcome to the 10th meeting in 2022 of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. No apologies have been received.

The first agenda item is to decide whether to take in private item 5, which is consideration of today’s evidence. Are we content to take that item in private?

Members indicated agreement.

Thank you very much, cabinet secretary. Are there any questions?

I will bring in Maggie Chapman.

Minister, you mentioned in your opening remarks some of the work that you have done in relation to older people. I know that you were very proud of your work in the previous session of Parliament on loneliness and isolation. Can you give a wee update on where we are with the “A Connected Scotland” strategy?

As no member wishes to ask a supplementary question on conversion practices, we are good to move on. I call Maggie Chapman.

I do not know whether I said this at the start of the meeting but if any of the members who are joining us virtually wants to ask a supplementary question, they should mention that in the chat so that we can ensure that we bring them in on the same topic.