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Thank you. Colin, do you have an opinion on that?

Thank you.

I would like to know your thoughts on the proposal to allow the SLCC to investigate complaints about unregulated legal service providers where legal services are provided to the public for fee, gain or reward.

Does anyone else want to come in? If not, that is fine.

Yes.

That was really helpful—thank you. I do not want to put words in your mouth, but do you feel that that is best practice?

I would have to look into that a bit further, but I am willing to do so. I think that the Scottish Government is willing to do anything that it can to try to resolve the problems within the limited powers that we have.

There is another way. The vision that is outlined in the latest “Building a New Scotland” paper charts a course for an independent Scotland in which the migration system is driven by humanity and dignity, fully realising the benefits of migration for our society and economy. The vision includes protecting the rights of migrants, with free movement within the EU as a priority, underlining our commitment to being an open, inclusive nation.

Most of all, the paper is a clear example of the commitment to be a welcoming country where we value the contribution of migrants. It is a call to the rest of the world that we see migration as the positive that it is and that we acknowledge that human diversity is vital to tackling ignorance.

Overall, a well-managed migration policy could be a significant asset for an independent Scotland, supporting its economic growth, demographic stability and cultural vibrancy.

Next year, my father and I will travel to Europe to trace the steps of our ancestors further afield. I know that that will be a poignant reminder of how interconnected we, as humans, are and of how countries have so much to gain from each other. Far from the bigoted anti-immigration little Britain rhetoric, we will be reminded of how migration enriches our cultural diversity and fosters social cohesion. Migration will enhance Scotland’s attractiveness as a multicultural independent society.

A few years ago, out of curiosity and with a passion for genealogy, I sent off my DNA to find out my genetic make-up. My father and I are keen genealogists, and I really enjoy the shared passion that we have, so you can imagine the joy when my father also did his DNA and we were confirmed as matches. [Laughter.]

As I prepared for my speech today, I logged in to check the updates for my DNA profile, as profiles often change as the technology updates and improves. I am 88 per cent Scottish, 7 per cent Irish, 4 per cent Norwegian and 1 per cent Danish/Swedish. As I contemplate the complex mixes of human DNA, I am reminded of the vital role that migrants play in Scotland’s history and future, and as I look through the many records with my dad and trace the steps of those gone before, it creates a connection between us and them and paints a picture of diverse and mobile people.

Those connections support an understanding of human existence. It is no different for us, as we are here today in Scotland; we sometimes desire to live where we can get work, where we are safe and where we are ultimately going to survive, like many people across the globe. It is human nature to want to create a better life for ourselves and our families.

Migrants’ contributions are invaluable, from bolstering our economy to enriching our culture, particularly in rural and island areas. Our nation has been, and continues to be, shaped by migration. The influx of people from the European Union had transformed Scotland. It helped to reverse the trend of population decline and brought a surge of cultural diversity and global perspectives.

The progress that we have made is, however, under threat from UK Governments past and present. From dragging us out of the EU against our will to the Home Office’s “hostile environment” approach to immigration, being shackled to the United Kingdom will do nothing but hinder us as we try to address Scotland’s unique demographic challenges. We are bound by those UK policies and, as long as we are, our efforts to address those issues are severely constrained.

Those currently going through the UK Government’s cruel asylum system are unable to work under UK employment law, and some of them are receiving just £9.58 a week. That is pitiful, leaving some of the most desperate people in desperate conditions. Without independence, we are able only to mitigate the cruelty dealt by Westminster. That is not a good enough position to be in.

I am proud that our Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee has called on the Scottish Government to provide free bus travel for people in the asylum system. There are things that we can do and are doing, but we need to do more.

The overlooking of the immense value that immigrants bring to rural communities, such as those in the north-east, especially in my Banffshire and Buchan Coast constituency, has persisted for too long. Westminster’s control over migration policy, epitomised by the hostile environment, has inflicted considerable harm on migrants and Scotland.

With the full powers of self-governance, Scotland can forge a migration policy that is finely tuned to the needs of our people, businesses and the economy. The specific challenges that communities in the north-east face, which have been long overlooked by Westminster, would be directly addressed. For example, the fisheries sector, which is integral to the livelihoods of communities along the Banffshire and Buchan Coast, is grappling with worker shortages and struggling to fill vacancies. If the north-east is to thrive, we must take our immigration policy into our own hands.

I was delighted to see the new and updated British Sign Language action plan released this past week. I thank the First Minister for his help and support with my continued work in the area. How will the plan support British Sign Language use in Scotland?

My question has been extensively answered through many of the supplementaries, but I want to drill into detail that we have not heard and ask what is meant by an “official investigation”. That has been a bit of a bone of contention and has raised concerns among stakeholders. At what point would an official investigation be launched? Concerns have arisen from the fact that a licence could be suspended at that point. What do we mean by “official investigation”?

We have had a full and rounded discussion of a few of the points that I would have raised, but I will go back to a few of them, if you do not mind.

In my time on this committee, we have scrutinised the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022, and we are now scrutinising future agriculture policy. Throughout all of that, we have talked with committee witnesses, and we have gone out and talked to industry leaders, farmers, tenant farmers and constituents in areas of deprivation.

Obviously, there is a move to spotlight the markets when farmers and food producers, for example, tell us that they do not feel that they are getting a good price. Sometimes their eyes move to the consumer, but consumers tell us that they cannot afford the food. It always goes back to the conversation about what is happening with the supermarkets.

I want to give you the opportunity to speak to that and tell us what factors you consider in setting supermarket prices. Do you appreciate that there is that discussion about how you operate?