Justice and Home Affairs Committee, 15 Mar 2000
Meeting date: Wednesday, March 15, 2000
Official Report
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Scottish Parliament Justice and Home Affairs Committee Wednesday 15 March 2000 (Morning)
[The Convener opened the meeting at 09:34]
We all seem to be here. I extend a welcome to Robin Harper and Brian Monteith, who are joining us this morning for the excitements of stage 2 of the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc (Scotland) Bill. No doubt they will find the way in which we do things in this committee very exciting, even with bills such as this one. I also welcome the Deputy Minister for Justice, Angus MacKay, who is having his regular weekly outing to the Justice and Home Affairs Committee.
Before we begin this morning's business, I have one or two things to say. Other committees' agendas have an item variously called "Convener's correspondence", "Convener's business", "Convener's report" and so on. In the main, committee members receive copies of pretty much everything that I receive. From time to time, however, I have other bits and pieces of information that you might find useful. For example, I have been invited as convener to the launch of the retail crime strategy in London on the morning of Wednesday 5 April. I will not be able to attend, but the organisers have very kindly said that they will welcome any other member of the Justice and Home Affairs Committee in my place. Any member who is interested should speak to the clerk separately.
Secondly, on Thursday morning, I am meeting the Minister for Justice to discuss the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill; I hope that, next week, that matter will be clearer.
Thirdly, I should say that, although Michael Matheson and I visited the Dáil in Dublin a few weeks ago wearing our party hats, we took the opportunity to attend a meeting of the Committee on Justice, Equality and Women's Rights and to meet its convener and members. That committee deals not only with justice, home affairs and women's issues but with defence, so, however hard done by we might feel on occasion, at least we should be thankful that defence is not part of our remit. I have invited members of that committee to visit us if they wish.
When you meet the minister tomorrow, will you remind him that I am waiting to meet him about domestic violence legislation?
I will be sure to do that and I will ensure that he understands that the rest of the committee is anxious about that matter.