Chamber and committees

You will consult on what will be in the plans rather than what is likely to be in the subordinate legislation.

It is obvious that you consider the right to food to be important. On that basis, can you tell me the timescales for introducing the human rights bill? We have been consulting on the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill since 2006, broadly, which is a long time. Witnesses have said that it is important to bring in the right to food as quickly as possible, so it would be good to know when we will see the human rights bill.

We will move on to theme 3.

Karen Adam has a supplementary question.

The financial memorandum suggests that there are no costs, but we are not confident that that is the case. That is quite concerning.

I think that that is the important point. You did not initially think that there was a need for another body, but you are now reconsidering that.

I have a supplementary question for Mark Hunter. East Ayrshire Council is held in very high regard as a result of the progress that it has made on food procurement and ensuring good, healthy food. Does the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill need to go right down to soil quality and agricultural practices and right through to the end consumer and the nutrition for our elderly in care homes? What is your vision of what the bill or the plan should deliver?

I will bring in Beatrice Wishart.

Hold on a second, Ms Wishart, your microphone is not live. We will move on to Mercedes Villalba while we sort out the mic.

It would be helpful if could follow up Ariane Burgess’s initial question and get back to the committee.

To expand the question, I call Alasdair Allan.