We move on to agenda item 4. As members will know, following the publication of the committee’s report, a debate was held in the chamber. Under the agreed protocol, the Scottish Government would usually respond to any committee report not later than two months after its publication, so a formal response is expected on 11 March.
That does not prevent the committee from taking any other action that it wants to take, however, and I have had discussions with Chic Brodie about the matter. We could write to the Minister for Children and Young People in advance of her formal written response to emphasise the importance of the inquiry and ask that she gives us an early response, as well as to reinforce the need for her to pick up and adopt the 28 recommendations. Whether we do that is purely a matter for the committee to decide on. A formal timescale is in place but, if members wish to do so, we could chase up the response.
The convener has embraced all the comments that I made to him and set out his own views. The inquiry is so important. Historically, we have lapsed into unconsciousness on the issue, so it is important that we maintain the high profile that the issue requires and ensure that action is pursued.
Convener, I seek clarification as to why you think that it would be relevant to ask for a response earlier than 11 March. My understanding is that the next meeting of the committee will be on 4 March. Therefore, any response that we receive on 11 March would be timely for our meeting on 18 March. I would rather have a considered response from the minister to the points and recommendations that we have made than rush ahead and get a response that may miss out or misconstrue some of the committee’s recommendations.
In answer to Mr Wilson’s point, I was just reflecting the conversation that I had with Chic Brodie. We know what the statutory position is. Eight weeks is not eight months. We will get a response within that time period. It is purely a matter for the committee. I merely raised a point that was interesting to me.
I am content to wait until 11 March on the basis that we might end up getting the Government’s response to the report sooner than we would get a response to the letter requesting that it respond to us sooner than the official date.
I am honestly relaxed about just waiting for the eight-week period. I just thought that I would reflect some discussions that I had had.
For clarity, I am happy that we wait. The purpose and intent behind my request to the convener was to ensure that, when the reply comes back, we do not allow the matter to be shuffled off to the side as a great inquiry and debate, thanks very much. The issue is so important that we want some action.
Exactly. Also, as members know, there was a high media interest in the inquiry—quite rightly. This week, I was approached by The Times Educational Supplement, which is doing something next week. Angus MacDonald will be glad to know that BBC Alba is running the story on its magazine programme this week.
Convener, I am not so pleased to know about my local authority’s recent decision to reduce funding for Open Secret, which certainly does not help matters. I will make representation to the local authority on that decision over the next few days.
Angus MacDonald is right to raise an important issue. The committee has published a report in which it stressed the need for services not only to continue to be delivered, but enhanced to ensure that we can deal with child sexual exploitation. As Angus MacDonald rightly identified, however, local authorities are taking decisions ahead of possible recommendations from the Scottish Government.
If you are desperate to write to the minister on the issue, convener, it might be useful to write to seek clarification on the discussions that have taken place with local authorities ahead of any response that the Scottish Government produces to our report on child sexual exploitation in Scotland and find out whether there will be additional funding or encouragement for local authorities to continue to deliver, and enhance the delivery of, services that tackle it.
I agree with that. My sole objective, which is probably more emotional than anything else, is to ensure that we do not allow the matter to be put on the back-burner under any circumstances. John Wilson’s recommendation is apposite.
Do members have any views on that? John Wilson suggested that we write to the minister about the role of local authorities on the matter.
We should also draw attention to Falkirk Council’s decision to reduce funding to Open Secret because it would be relevant and, I hope, help the minister, when she responds to the report, to identify and indicate what role the Scottish Government sees for local authorities in relation to the delivery of such services.
Do members agree to that?
Members indicated agreement.
Meeting closed at 11:14.Previous
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