Minutes: 23 September 2026

1. Decisions on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 6 and 7 in private.

2. Instrument subject to annulment:

The Committee considered the Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) (No. 2) Order 2026 (2026/212). The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government for further information and to continue consideration at a future meeting.

3. Armed Forces Bill (UK Parliament legislation):

The Committee considered supplementary legislative consent memorandum LCM-S7-3 and noted correspondence from the Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans.

4. Domestic abuse, advocacy and victim experience – evidence:

The Committee took evidence from—

Nicola Love, External Affairs Manager, Rape Crisis Scotland;

Fiona McMullen, Operations Manager, ASSIST.

Maggie Chapman declared an interest as a former employee of a rape crisis centre.

5. Justice response to domestic abuse – evidence:

The Committee took evidence from—

Adam Brown, Detective Superintendent, Specialist Crime Division and Tim Mairs, Assistant Chief Constable, Major Crime, Public Protection and Local Crime, Police Scotland;

Dr Emma Forbes, National Lead for Domestic Abuse and Fraser Gibson, Procurator Fiscal, Glasgow and Strathkelvin, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

6. Review of evidence (in private):

The Committee reviewed the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

7. Armed Forces Bill (UK Parliament legislation) – report (in private):

The Committee considered a draft report on supplementary legislative consent memorandum LCM-S7-3. The report was agreed for publication.