Official Report 111KB pdf
We move on to agenda item 5. Do the reporters have anything to report?
As was agreed a few meetings ago, I attended the "Zero in on Discrimination" event, which was held at Glasgow Caledonian University with the Scottish Civic Forum. I thank Richard Walsh for pulling together the report. I was not able to attend the event for the whole day, but Richard was there all the way through and did a sterling job, keeping an eye on how things were developing.
That would be useful. Does anyone have any questions for Michael McMahon?
I know that we will be discussing our work programme in private later in the meeting but, as this is the committee's last meeting before the recess, I request that we get an update on taking evidence on the Chhokar inquiries. We discussed the matter previously and said that we should try to make progress on it. Jim Johnston and I have discussed the matter, and I wonder whether he could update the committee on where we stand.
As Michael McMahon is aware, the committee agreed to send a letter to Mr Chhokar and his representative, inviting Mr Chhokar to come to the committee to give evidence if he was well enough to do so. That letter was sent on 14 May. To date, we have yet to receive a reply to that letter, and the convener will be writing to Mr Chhokar and his representative again, inviting them to give evidence to a meeting of the committee in September. If we get a response to that letter, the clerks can, over the summer recess, deal with the arrangements for that meeting, to be held at a location convenient to Mr Chhokar.
That is great—thanks.
If there is progress on the matter during the recess, members will be e-mailed so that they know what is happening.
We have a written report from the sexual orientation reporter, and I am happy for other members to ask questions. I am involved in a further meeting tonight.
Does anyone have any comments or questions on the written report from the sexual orientation reporter?
I had a meeting last week with Fran Loots, our adviser on the gender equality and best value inquiry, and the clerks, to discuss that inquiry. When the Parliament was sitting in Aberdeen, I was approached by representatives from Inverness, who were keen for me to take some evidence on gender issues from a few groups up in Inverness. I am discussing with the clerks the possibility of securing a meeting in September.
Thank you. If there are no comments or questions to Elaine on that, we will move into private session.
Meeting continued in private until 11:24.