The final item on our agenda is consideration of the level of scrutiny that should be applied to the financial memoranda to the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Bill and the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill. Members have received papers on those items from the clerk. As minimal costs arise from the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Bill, the proposal is that we adopt level 1 scrutiny—that is, that we do not take any oral evidence but send out our standard questionnaire to relevant organisations and pass on any comments to the lead committee. Are members agreed?
As more costs appear to arise from the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill, the proposal is that we adopt level 2 scrutiny—that is, that we seek written evidence from the relevant bodies, take oral evidence from the Executive and prepare a report for the lead committee, which is the path that we are going down in relation to the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill. It is proposed that if we adopt level 2 scrutiny, we will take evidence on 14 December. Are members agreed?
I wonder whether level 2 scrutiny is required for the bill. Unless there is something in it that I do not see, the costs seem to be fairly straightforward. I wonder whether we need to take oral evidence, unless something startling comes up in the written submissions.
Do other members have any thoughts on that?
The sums of money that are addressed probably meet the materiality test.
That is the proposal that was put forward. If members wish to adopt another level of scrutiny, we will go with what they agree.
Members seem to be suggesting that we should apply level 1 scrutiny to the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill as well. Is that agreed?
With that, I close the meeting. I remind members that our next meeting is in Cupar. Anybody who wants directions to Cupar should seek them from Susan Duffy, who comes from Fife. I look forward to seeing you in Cupar next Monday.
Meeting closed at 12:18.