Equal Opportunities Committee

Meeting date: Thursday, November 8, 2012

Official Report 251KB pdf

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Interests

Agenda item 2 is a declaration of interests. In accordance with section 3 of the code of conduct, I invite John Mason to declare any interests that are relevant to the committee’s remit. I welcome you to the Equal Opportunities Committee, John.

Thank you, convener. I was trying to think what I could say in my declaration of interests. One relevant thing is that when I was at Westminster, I was a member of the public bill committee for the Equality Act 2010. I do not take responsibility for the whole act, but I think that most of it is very good.

As noted in my entry in the register of interests, I am a member of Easterhouse Baptist church, which is relevant for me. Because of that and because of my faith, I believe that every person is of equal value. Going on from that, I hope that I can make a contribution to the committee.

I am the deputy convener of the Finance Committee. From reading some reports in the papers, I can see that the Equal Opportunities Committee might take a slightly different line on things from that which is taken by the Finance Committee, but we will see how that goes.

I also welcome Alex Johnstone, who is Annabel Goldie’s substitute and will be with us for the foreseeable future while Annabel is on the Referendum (Scotland) Bill Committee. I invite him to declare any interests.

Thank you, convener. I have looked at my entry in the register of interests and I have no relevant interests to declare. However, having heard John Mason’s list of interests, I will keep that under review and get back to you.

Thank you.

Before we move on, I record my thanks and appreciation to Jean Urquhart, who was my deputy convener, for the work and commitment that she put in during the short time that she was on the committee.