As members are probably aware, a declaration of interests is called for at this point. The declaration should only be general, along the lines of "I confess to being an axe murderer", or some such thing.
I declare that I am not an axe murderer. I am probably the most unpleasant thing next to that: I was a practising solicitor and a member of the Law Society of Scotland.
Are today's declarations further to those that we made in the Justice and Home Affairs Committee?
As the committee is new, we have to start with new declarations.
We treat this as a completely new committee?
Yes. That is part of my protest.
In that case, I confess to having served on the bench in Motherwell district court and having an interest in the affairs of justices of the peace and the District Courts Association.
Must new members make a declaration even if they have no interests? That has been required on the Social Justice Committee—is it required here, or do we declare only if we have interests?
I could tell that you did not have any interests to declare.
Thank you.