Seòmar agus comataidhean

That completes our consideration of the first two affirmative instruments. We will suspend briefly, to allow for a change of officials.

No other members have indicated that they want to ask any questions or make any more comments, so we will move to item 6, which is consideration of the motion for approval for the affirmative instrument. I invite the minister to move motion S6M-12994.

Motion moved,

That the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee recommends that the Damages (Review of Rate of Return) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 [draft] be approved.—[Siobhian Brown.]

There will be a division.

For

Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green)
McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP)
O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab)
Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP)

Against

Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con)
Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con)

Welcome to the 12th meeting of 2024, in session 6, of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. There are no apologies.

We will consider a total of four affirmative instruments. Our first agenda item is the consideration of the first two of those, which are the draft Equality Act 2010 (Specification of Public Authorities) (Scotland) Order 2024 and the draft Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024. I welcome Siobhian Brown, Minister for Victims and Community Safety; Jenny Hunt, senior policy manager, safety openness and learning legislation team; Rachel Innes, community interventions team leader, community justice division; and Jordan McGrory, solicitor, legal directorate—all from the Scottish Government. I refer members to paper 1 and invite the minister to speak to the draft instruments.

Thank you. That is helpful.

No member has indicated that they wish to ask further questions or make further comments, so we will now move to item 2, which is formal consideration of the instruments. I invite the minister to move motions S6M-12908 and S6M-12909.

Motions moved,

That the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee recommends that the Equality Act 2010 (Specification of Public Authorities) (Scotland) Order 2024 [draft] be approved;

That the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee recommends that the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 [draft] be approved.—[Siobhian Brown]

Motions agreed to.

That completes our consideration of the affirmative instrument. We will suspend briefly, to allow for a change of officials.

As a member of the cross-party selection panel that was established by the Presiding Officer under our standing orders, I am delighted to speak to the motion in my name inviting members of Parliament to agree to nominate Professor Angela O’Hagan to His Majesty the King for appointment as the chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission. The Presiding Officer chaired the selection panel, and the other members were Miles Briggs, Maggie Chapman, Katy Clark and Nicola Sturgeon.

As members will be aware, the Scottish Human Rights Commission is the national human rights institution for Scotland, and its role is to promote human rights and, in particular, to encourage best practice in relation to human rights.

I turn to our nominee, who is in the gallery today. Professor Angela O’Hagan is currently professor of equality and public policy at Glasgow Caledonian University. She is also the depute director of the WiSE—women in Scotland’s economy—research centre for economic justice.

Angela’s career encompasses leadership roles in the community and statutory sectors in Scotland, including as director of Carers Scotland and as head of campaigns and communications with Oxfam Scotland. She has served on a number of advisory and project groups with successive Scottish Governments, including currently as the independent chair of the equality and human rights budget advisory group, and of the national advisory council on women and girls.

Angela has an international profile—in particular, in gender and human rights budgeting and through membership of academic and civil society networks. The panel believes that Angela’s blend of skills, knowledge and experience will make her an excellent chair. Together with the members, she will ensure that the Scottish Human Rights Commission fulfils its statutory duties and that the office is run efficiently and effectively and meets its strategic objectives.

I move,

That the Parliament nominates Professor Angela O’Hagan to His Majesty The King for appointment as the Chair of the Scottish Commission for Human Rights.

It is a joy to speak in the debate and I thank Christine Grahame for her tireless efforts to provide support for the welfare of animals across Scotland.

I have many cherished memories of my dogs, which have been an integral part of my life. Each wagging tail, slobbery kiss and loving gaze has filled my heart with so much happiness. My dogs were my childhood comforters and were certainly my teenage confidants; they have been my loyal, trusted companions throughout all life’s ups and downs.

Amid that joy, I am acutely aware of the responsibilities that come with dog ownership. The decision to bring a dog into one’s life is not one that should be taken lightly, and it requires careful consideration, thoughtful planning and a deep understanding of the commitment that is involved. I have made mistakes in the past: I have made rushed decisions and I now regret them. However, those experiences have taught me invaluable lessons. My journey to find the dog that I have now—my great dane, Matilda—was not a swift one. It involved months of research, deliberation and searching for the right breeder and the right dog. The process was meticulous but necessary, as I had to ensure that Matilda would be not only a suitable companion but a healthy and happy one.

I certainly support the essence of Christine Grahame’s member’s bill, as it seeks to improve the health and welfare of dogs by fostering a more responsible and informed approach to dog ownership. The Scottish SPCA, in its efforts to protect animals from cruelty and neglect, has borne witness to the grim realities of the dog trade. It has seen first hand the consequences of impulse purchasing and irresponsible breeding practices by which puppies are deprived of necessities such as human contact, socialisation and proper veterinary care. Those dogs often face a lifetime of health issues and behavioural problems because of their traumatic beginnings.

My search for Matilda was a privilege that I could afford: the online searches; the cost of her breed; the journey of hundreds of miles to get her; and the overnight stay. I recognise that that route may not be accessible to all; certainly, it was not one that was available to me in the past and that was not how my other dogs came into my life.

As we navigate the bill, we must ensure that we strike a balance and safeguard the welfare of dogs without creating unnecessary barriers for those who have reduced incomes, who still deserve to have the joy and companionship that a dog can bring to a family.

I support the proposal for the Scottish Government to develop and publish a code of practice that outlines the responsibilities of potential dog owners and those who are involved in selling or giving away dogs. The code would encourage individuals to carefully assess their suitability for dog ownership and to consider whether they can provide for all of a dog’s needs throughout its life. It would be a reminder that dog ownership is not a decision that is to be made lightly but that it is a lifelong commitment that requires dedication, resources and unwavering love.

In addition to safeguarding the welfare of dogs, the bill also aims to educate the public about the risks that are associated with buying from unscrupulous dealers and the importance of responsible ownership. By raising awareness and providing additional oversight, we can empower individuals to make informed decisions, deter low-welfare dealers and hold irresponsible breeders to account for their actions. Through awareness campaigns, educational initiatives and community outreach programmes, we could support individuals to make ethical choices, support responsible breeders and reject the exploitative practices of puppy farms and low-welfare dealers. I often remember that a puppy is not just for Christmas, and I am glad to see that, every year, we still have that slogan in mind. The approach that I have described can work to educate the public if we get the public relations campaigns correct.

Let us remember that, behind every statistic, there are countless tails that are wagging with unconditional love and loyalty. Let us honour their trust by standing united in our commitment to the welfare of dogs and in our resolve to create a future in which every dog is treated with the care, respect and compassion that it deserves.

Given the news that the Home Office raids have begun, is the First Minister as sickened as I am, and as many of my constituents are, at the fact that this unworkable policy has been forced on Scotland by a fear-mongering and xenophobic UK Government?

The Campaign for North East Rail’s feasibility study on rerailing Peterhead and Fraserburgh is due to be submitted to the Scottish Government this week. Should that study give us the positive result that we are all hoping for, will the cabinet secretary consider funding a detailed options appraisal to reconnect the significant population of the area to the railway?