Mainstreaming Equality
The final item is about a letter from Cathy Peattie, the convener of the Equal Opportunities Committee. She has written to all the committees asking about mainstreaming equality.
Our response has been drafted. First, it points out that we are not a policy-making committee in the same way as the subject committees. However, in our scrutiny, we have to take account of our obligations under European Community law and the European convention on human rights. We also mention the importance of consultation, which is a big issue in terms of mainstreaming equality. We should be reaching as many people as possible and trying to make sure that the legislation that we are considering is as clear as possible to as many people as possible.
We have also made Cathy Peattie and the Equal Opportunities Committee aware that we are going to undertake an inquiry into the regulatory framework and that we will consider how we will uphold the principles of mainstreaming equal opportunities. Finally, on recommendation 7, the final annual report of the previous Subordinate Legislation Committee addressed several ways in which the committee had been mainstreaming equality.
Would members like to add any other points to what I think is a masterpiece of a letter?
I thought it was a masterpiece.
It is very good.
We are agreed that we will send the letter on behalf of the committee.
Members indicated agreement.
Meeting closed at 10:48.