Justice 2 Committee, 14 Jun 2005
Meeting date: Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Official Report
111KB pdf
Centre for Forensic Science
Item 6 concerns the committee's visit to the centre for forensic science at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. I attended with our colleagues Stewart Maxwell and Colin Fox, and our clerk Steven Tallach was in attendance. I think that three members were present because other members had other obligations. [Interruption.] I am reminded now that Maureen Macmillan was also present—I beg your pardon, Maureen, and give my apologies, which are inadequate in the circumstances. I knew that there was a slightly fuller complement than just the three of us; there were four of us altogether.
I am very glad that Maureen Macmillan is here today because, from what I gathered, the members who made that visit found it not only extremely interesting, but very helpful in enabling us to understand some of the more technical processes that are involved in the criminal justice system and, to an extent, the civil justice system. We were immensely impressed by the cutting edge activity undertaken at the centre.
It emerged during the visit that the facility is a rare one in the United Kingdom. It is an indication of the prestige of the department that there is a possibility of bidding for a major conference to come to Glasgow. The members who heard the details of that proposal were extremely interested in it. One of the tasks that we undertook to perform was not just to bring back to the committee meeting a report of the visit, but to relay some information about the possibility of such a conference coming to Glasgow. It was my impression from all members who were on the visit that there was a willingness to suggest that the First Minister might be invited to support the making of such a bid.
Indeed. It is hoped that the conference, which will take place in 2008, will be held at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre. It will involve about 1,500 people and would be a good showcase for Glasgow and the rest of Scotland.
I have rather pre-empted what we suggested and have spoken to Patricia Ferguson, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, about the bid. She is excited by and interested in the possibility of bidding for the conference and has already been in touch with various bodies. I imagine that the Executive will support any bid that the University of Strathclyde might make. I am sure that that would involve the First Minister as well.
Perhaps other members have comments.
We have been joined by Margaret Smith, whom I welcome to the meeting in place of Jeremy Purvis.
I tendered my apologies for missing the visit, which was obviously interesting. The convener's and Maureen Macmillan's comments were encouraging, in that Glasgow might be in with a real chance of winning a major conference, to which, as a member with a Glasgow constituency, I am not averse.
Maureen Macmillan said that she has already approached the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport. If so, perhaps the matter can be explored using that avenue. The idea is to be supported. We should make known the interest of the members who visited the centre on behalf of the committee in doing all that we can in that regard.
I thank members for their contributions. I omitted to specify that the official title of the organisation involved in the conference is the International Association of Forensic Sciences, and that it is proposed that the conference be held in 2008.
Does the committee agree that it is appropriate that a letter—I will circulate the text to members for approval—to the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport be drafted in my name as convener? We might copy that to the First Minister.
Members indicated agreement.
We agreed previously to move into private session to consider item 7.
Meeting continued in private until 14:40.