Justice and Home Affairs Committee, 25 Jan 2000

Meeting date: Tuesday, January 25, 2000

Official Report 262KB pdf

---

Declaration of Interests

Item 1 will be brief. We should have addressed Michael Matheson's declaration of interests last week, following his arrival on the committee, but unfortunately we omitted to do so. I call on Michael to indicate whether he has relevant interests and ask him to remember that, as with all such declarations, he should err on the side of caution by declaring any interests that would prejudice or give the appearance of prejudicing his ability to participate in a disinterested manner in the proceedings of the committee.

The purpose of this item is to allow Michael to make a general declaration of interests now, although he should also declare any interests relevant to the bill, as should other members. It would be appropriate for members who suddenly think, "Well, despite what I said at the first committee meeting, perhaps I really ought to indicate an interest now," to do so.

I have no interests to declare in relation to the Justice and Home Affairs Committee. However, in relation to my previous employment and my continuing status as a state-registered occupational therapist, I have an interest in the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Bill.

Are other members suddenly wondering whether it might be best for them to declare an interest? I see Scott Barrie looking a little puzzled. It might be better to put your comments on record, Scott, even if you are unsure, as at least you will be covering yourself.

Until your preamble, convener, I had not thought about it. However, I was previously employed as a social work manager and served on a working party that examined some of the proposals in the early stages of the draft bill.

Your declaration was appropriate—it serves as a reminder to us all to be careful.

I am not sure whether, strictly speaking, Richard Simpson should declare his interests, as he is not a member of this committee. However, Richard, it might be appropriate for you to do so, as you are to move amendments—if we were in a meeting of the Parliament, you would probably have to declare your interests and I know that you have an interest.

I declare an interest as I am a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners and a fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatry.

Other than the general interests declared at the beginning of the Justice and Home Affairs Committee proceedings in July—or whenever our first meeting took place—might any other members be held to have any kind of interest in the bill?

Members indicated disagreement.