Justice Committee

Meeting date: Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Official Report 570KB pdf

Decisions on Taking Business in Private

Good morning and welcome to the 13th meeting in 2020 of the Justice Committee. We have received apologies from Shona Robison, who is attending the COVID-19 Committee.

Before we begin, I place on record the committee’s thanks to the witnesses for agreeing to provide oral evidence at short notice and during such an exceptionally busy time for them. It is very much appreciated; hearing from key witnesses is invaluable in assisting the committee to conduct necessary scrutiny at this time.

I also thank the stakeholders who provided written submissions in advance of today’s meeting.

Our first agenda item is consideration of whether to take item 5 in private, to allow the committee to consider the evidence that we receive from witnesses today. Given the complexities of a group discussion over videoconference, I will assume that all members agree to do that unless someone says otherwise.

No member has objected, so the committee agrees to take item 5 in private.

Do members also agree that all future approaches or amendments to the work programme, approaches to calls for evidence, consideration of evidence taken and draft reports should be taken in private during the Covid-19 public health emergency?

No one has objected, so we are all in agreement on that. Thank you.