Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting Minutes
6th Meeting, 2024
- Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2024
- Session: 6
- Location: T4.60-CR6 The Livingstone Room
- Meeting opened at: 09:00
- Meeting closed at: 12:05
- Published: Wednesday, February 28, 2024 12:20pm
Also Present
Gillian Mackay did not participate as a member of the Committee by virtue of Rule 9.13A.2(b), but attended in her capacity as member in charge of the Bill under Rule 12.2.3(a). Ross Greer attended as a substitute member under Rule 12.2A.2.
1 Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill (In Private):
The Committee received a briefing from Scottish Government officials.
2 Decisions on taking business in private:
The Committee agreed to take item 5 in private and also agreed to consider, in private at future meetings, evidence heard at those meetings as part of its Stage 1 scrutiny of the Abortion (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill.
3 Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill:
The Committee took evidence on commissioned research on comparable legislation and its implementation worldwide from—
Emily Ottley, Independent Researcher.
Sandesh Gulhane declared an interest as a practising NHS GP.
4 Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill:
The Committee took evidence at Stage 1, on the impact of the Bill for those accessing abortion services, from—
Alice Murray;
Lily Roberts;
Lucy Grieve, Co-Founder, Back Off Scotland;
Rachael Clarke, Chief of Staff, British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS);
Dr Rebecca Mason, Research and Policy Lead, The Young Women’s Movement.
Sandesh Gulhane declared an interest as a practising NHS GP.
5 Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill (In Private):
The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda items 3 and 4.