Chamber and committees

Good morning. I absolutely understand that your position is that consumers should be taken out. That is very clear. However, in case the Parliament does not go with you on that, for our scrutiny, I have a couple of follow-up questions about what should happen if consumers are left in, particularly around the register. Do you have concerns as money advisers about who can access the register? Is there enough information in the register for you to help your clients?

I think that it is not at the moment—is there a £20 charge?

That is the point. People are there to be employed, but if there is not to be a fee, it would not be done by anyone else—it would be a Government agency that would be funded by the Government.

Convener, is it okay if I turn to one other issue that might affect Dr Hardman in particular?

I will push you on that. Is the measure within the Parliament’s legislative competence?

If you could do that, it would be helpful. Thank you.

Dr Hardman and Dr Patrick, what would be your response to Parliament taking that course of action for the long term—if we did not remove individual sole traders from the bill, but took out consumers?

I want to put a similar question to Mr Dailly. From a practical perspective, when you have clients coming in and making requests, do you think that you will be able to get enough information by searching the register? If I were someone who could not remember that I have got this or that debt, would you be able to find that information by searching the register, or is that not something of interest to you in advising clients?

In practical terms, you think that the fee should be covered by the Scottish Government.

If you would not mind getting back to us on that at some point, that would be helpful.