Minutes: 17 June 2025

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 5 to 8 in private.

2. British Sign Language Inquiry:

The Committee took evidence from—

Professor Annelies Kusters, Professor of Sociolinguistics and Dr Robert Adam, Associate Professor in Languages and Intercultural Studies, Heriot-Watt University;

Stacey Gourlay, Disability Liaison Officer and Rachel Tardito, Equality, Diversity and Wellbeing Lead, NHS Forth Valley;

and then from—

Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, Kevin McGowan, Unit Head, Equality Division, Alison Taylor, Deputy Director for Improvement, Attainment and Wellbeing and Robert Eckhart, Additional Support for Learning Policy Team Leader, Scottish Government.

3. UK subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered a proposal by the Scottish Government to consent to the UK Government legislating in a devolved area as set out in the following UK statutory instrument proposal—

Private International Law (Implementation of Agreements) Act 2020.

The Committee was content with the Scottish Government’s proposal to consent to the UK Government making Regulations, within devolved competence, as set out in the notification.

4. British Sign Language Inquiry (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard under agenda item 2.

5. Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

The Committee considered and agreed its approach to the scrutiny of the Bill at Stage 1.

6. Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (UK Parliament legislation) (In Private):

The Committee considered and agreed a draft report on the legislative consent memorandum lodged by Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice (LCM-S6-54).

7. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) (In Private):

The Committee considered and agreed a draft letter to Kaukab Stewart MSP, Minister for Equalities.

8. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme.