Agenda item 2 is consideration of Scottish Government correspondence and the Scottish Parliament information centre update paper on Gypsy Travellers, EO/S4/15/20/5.
We have just heard evidence from the SHR in respect of the Gypsy Traveller report that it prepared following its thematic inquiry, and we have the background briefing that SPICe has prepared on all the action that has been taken by the committee and the Scottish Government to date in respect of our inquiries into Gypsy Travellers. Members have also received a letter from the cabinet secretary in response to correspondence that we issued on 30 September 2015. I ask the committee what action it wants to pursue.
I put on record my appreciation for the evidence that we have just heard from the witnesses from the SHR. Its report will be the foundation for future comparisons. That is a welcome contribution to the debate.
It seems to me that, on the back of what we have heard from them and the SPICe briefing—which is an excellent compendium of what we have heard, for which I thank SPICe—we should have another evidence-taking session.
I agree.
Who would we have an evidence-taking session with?
We can discuss that. The clerks can produce a paper for discussion at our next meeting.
I absolutely concur with what Annabel Goldie said about our previous witnesses. Row 26 of the table on page 21 of the SPICe briefing says:
“Need clear leadership to ensure distinct needs of Gypsy/Travellers are covered”.
The fact that there is nothing in the column detailing the actions taken suggests that there is some way to go in that regard. I hope that we can get a minister in to discuss progress at some point.
Does the committee agree to ask the clerks to draft a paper for our consideration?
Members indicated agreement.
That concludes today’s meeting. Our next meeting will take place on Thursday 10 December.
Meeting closed at 11:19.