Equal Opportunities Committee, 16 Jan 2001

Meeting date: Tuesday, January 16, 2001

Official Report 103KB pdf

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Reporters

Elaine Smith, the gender reporter, is unable to be here because of family circumstances, but she has submitted a report for us to consider on the cross-examination of witnesses in rape cases. Before we do so, would any other reporter like to say anything?

I can give the committee an update on race. We have had no formal meetings on race—I will be careful what I say—but I intend to have a meeting in the near future with Save the Children in response to its report on harassment and bullying of refugee children. I have—tentatively—set 1 February as a date for that. I shall e-mail members to let them know when and where the meeting will take place. That will allow us to get some background information on the report.

We would also like to consider the Minister for Justice's recent document on how the police deal with prejudice. I shall put together a paper on that for a future meeting. In my capacity as race reporter, I shall consider that before the minister comes to the committee.

Everyone has a copy of Elaine Smith's paper. Are there any questions or comments on it?

Which justice committee will deal with the matter?

It will probably be the Justice 1 Committee.

If not, it will be the Justice 2 Committee.

Which one is the Justice 1 Committee?

That is the committee of which Alasdair Morgan is convener.

The recommendations are in section 9 of Elaine Smith's report. Do members agree to those recommendations?

Members indicated agreement.

Because Irene McGugan has left the committee, we will need another member to cover disability issues.

That is right. In fact, there are now two vacancies for reporters. Any members who are interested in the positions should contact me. At the next meeting, we can agree the new appointments. Is that agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

Meeting continued in private until 11:31.