Item 6 is on European Union issues. Paper 5 invites the committee to note correspondence from the European and External Relations Committee on its work on migration, and from the Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs on migration and the Government’s EU e-justice work. As he is our EU reporter, I invite Roderick Campbell to speak about the correspondence that we have received.
I do not have much to add beyond what is in the paper, unless anyone has any specific questions.
I just want to say that what is happening in the Mediterranean, which the paper refers to, is a humanitarian disaster. There is a positive plan, and I commend the Scottish Government’s approach because it is humanitarian, not punitive. I would like us to lend our support to that.
I am particularly encouraged by the Scottish Government showing its understanding of the importance of European co-operation, and saying that co-operation, not isolation, is key.
It is good to see the four positive steps for taking matters forward, and it is refreshing to see suggestions for what can be done. We sometimes spend time in here being bamboozled, so it is helpful that the EU is saying, “This is what we are going to do.”
Are members content to note the correspondence and to return to the issue after the summer recess, when we are likely to have received another update from the minister?
Members indicated agreement.
Under item 1, we agreed to move into private session for the final item of business, which is consideration of our draft stage 1 report on the Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc (Scotland) Bill.
10:22 Meeting continued in private until 11:38.Previous
Apologies (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1