Equal Opportunities Committee
Meeting date: Thursday, November 28, 2013
Official Report
263KB pdf
Work Programme
Welcome to the Equal Opportunities Committee’s 31st meeting in 2013. I ask everyone to switch off their electronic devices or put them into flight mode.
Around the table are staff from our clerking and research teams, the official report and broadcasting services. We are also supported in the committee room by staff from the security office. I invite members to introduce themselves.
I am the MSP for Edinburgh Central and the deputy convener of the committee.
I am a member for North East Scotland.
I am an MSP for North East Scotland.
I am an MSP for Central Scotland.
I am the MSP for Glasgow Shettleston.
I am an MSP for Highlands and Islands.
Thank you.
Item 1 is a decision on the committee’s work programme. We are asked to agree: first, to write to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Scottish Government to follow up our inquiries into the discrimination that Gypsy Traveller people face; secondly, to write to the Scottish Government about our inquiries into women and work and having and keeping a home; thirdly, to seek an update on progress on the work of the advisory group on tackling sectarianism; fourthly, to conduct initial work on issues to do with female genital mutilation, with a view to informing a potential inquiry; fifthly, to seek oral evidence from the Equality and Human Rights Commission on its work on public authorities’ compliance with specific duties under the Equality Act 2010; and sixthly, to look into issues that are faced by single fathers and fathers who share custody. Do members agree to the work programme?
Members indicated agreement.
Did anyone want to comment on the programme?
I am grateful that we have agreed to follow up inquiries. A lot of energy goes into doing an inquiry, not least from the clerks and supporting staff, and it is important that the recipients of our reports respond to them. I particularly hope that there will be positive engagement from COSLA on Gypsy Travellers.