Justice 1 Committee, 24 Sep 2002

Meeting date: Tuesday, September 24, 2002

Official Report 277KB pdf

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Convener's Report

I draw members' attention to the letter from Safeguarding Communities Reducing Offending, which invites the committee to visit SACRO in relation to our alternatives to custody inquiry. We have a busy schedule, so it might be best if members accept the offer in an individual capacity, as their diaries permit. Is that agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

I should inform members that the Justice 1 Committee has been nominated as a secondary committee for the Protection of Children (Scotland) Bill, which was introduced on 6 September. The bill provides for a list of persons unsuitable to work with children to be established and maintained by the Scottish Executive and for those on the list to be banned from working with children.

We will look specifically at the appeal process and the creation of offences. It is proposed that we take oral evidence at only one session, as we are just the secondary committee, and that we seek comments in writing. The clerks will e-mail members regarding potential witnesses. Members should note that this impacts on the time scale for other committee work, including the alternatives to custody inquiry. We will discuss our forward work programme and items relating to that inquiry next week. I am aware that Michael Matheson wants to raise issues about the inquiry. Are members happy with those suggestions?

Members indicated agreement.

The European Commission office in Edinburgh has invited a member of the committee to lead a workshop on the European convention on human rights at the Scottish European resources network—SERN—annual meeting on 26 November. Various other members of other committees have agreed to lead workshops relevant to their committees. The member nominated by this committee would be required to conduct a short talk on the work of the Justice 1 Committee and then open a discussion on the ways in which the work of the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Executive and other information providers can enhance the public's understanding of the ECHR and its European dimension. Do we have any volunteers?

Do you want to do it, convener?

I am happy to do it, if members want me to.

I think that the opportunity should be offered to the convener in the first instance.

Thank you.