Item 4 is our annual report from 11 May 2014 to 10 May 2015. It is a factual account of the areas of work that we have undertaken during that period. We have the report here, in all its glory. Are members content?
Members indicated agreement.
I think that is a very good report, but I have two minor points to raise. I refer to the second line of paragraph 24. I think that we should insert “many significant”, to make it read “the many significant implications”.
Yes, that is all right—if everybody is agreed. The text would be: “the significant implications the opt-out would have”.
My other small point concerns paragraph 32. The final line says:
“provided witnesses with an opportunity to engage with each other.”
I think that we should insert “the Justice Committee and”, to make it read: “engage with the Justice Committee and each other.”
Yes, I see: it is rather like we were all sitting having cups of tea and buns—
As if we were just spectating.
Yes—it is like we were spectating. It is a more of a grammatical suggestion.
I just want to check that the report covers the period right up to 10 May 2015. I was just saying to a colleague that we—
I beg your pardon?
The report says:
“This report covers the work of the Justice Committee ... to 10 May 2015.”
I told a colleague this morning that we are dealing with six bills just now. Did we not start to deal with the Apologies (Scotland) Bill before 10 May?
Yes—we can reflect the call for evidence for the Apologies (Scotland) Bill.
So, it is six bills. It would be better for the report to say that.
You just want to get the right number in the report—yes. We will include a reference to the Apologies (Scotland) Bill at its early stages, with the call for evidence.
12:43 Meeting continued in private until 12:46.