Chamber and committees

Thank you, convener. I have no interests to declare.

That is quite timely. I think that I need a lie down. Susan Smith mentioned the Cass review, and it looks like there is a suggestion that some of today’s panel members would say, “Look at the Cass review and pause GRA reform here in Scotland.”

I have looked at the Cass review. It highlights the lack of routine and consistent data collection, which means that it is not possible to track outcomes for children and young people. Malcolm Clark specifically mentioned making sure that there is more therapeutic care and defining that service model, and—I suppose—the workforce implications.

I invite anyone to expand on that. You have all had your fair share of speaking, but who would like to kick off? Perhaps Susan Smith will, as she mentioned it.

I am horrified to learn that we are not conducting data collection so that we can give the best services to children and young people. If the reforms are accepted by Parliament, we are, as you say, putting the cart before the horse. How can workforce implications be taken into account and services be provided if we do not have the evidence and do not know how many people there are and what circumstances they are experiencing?

Convener, I am really shocked that the committee has not had the opportunity to get into the detail of that.

So do you believe that the process should be paused until we consider the Cass review, when that is published?

Does any other panel member have a view on that? Let me expand the question and ask what evidence you have seen, during this process, that a false declaration would be effective?

If no one else wants to comment, that is fine.

I am not sure that that is a good comparison. A member of the previous panel mentioned the age at which you can get a tattoo. In addition, the census is not really providing the data that we need, because 10 per cent of the population have not managed to fill in the survey.

Jen, would you like to come in on this?

As we know, the UK has a highly resilient food sector. In your opening statement you acknowledged that farmers face increasing costs due to the global situation. That applies particularly to fertiliser, feed and fuel. What steps has the UK Government taken to support the farming industry in the current crisis?

Now that the Queen’s speech has been made and there is a bill to recognise that, what is your view of the approach to gene editing? What would you say to the James Hutton Institute? It is very much in favour of gene editing. The Scottish Government would rather align with the EU and wait to find out what the EU believes is the right path forward.