Committee
Equal Opportunities Committee, 20 Feb 2007
20 Feb 2007 · S2 · Equal Opportunities Committee
Item of business
Race Equality
It is absolutely right that the process is on-going, but perhaps a marker should be laid down to show where the process is and what the issues are. The committee wanted to have a report on our recommendations, where we are and what needs to be done, but we cannot have that report because of the delay. That is why I am frustrated.We owe movement forward to Scotland's Gypsy Travellers, but we cannot provide that. I am frustrated that, because of the delay, we will not be able to progress the work that is needed in our meetings before dissolution. That is regrettable. Of course we are happy for the strategy group to pick up the work, but we wanted to consider how the Executive had progressed our recommendations, which were user led. Gyspy Travellers told us what the issues were and what they wanted to be done, but their issues have not been dealt with. There is unfinished business.The committee's legacy paper will include a recommendation that the successor committee take forward our review of progress on Gypsy Travellers, and a letter will be sent to the minister that will mention the issues that Carolyn Leckie raised. We will ask which stakeholders agreed to the delay in publishing the strategy and whether some did not agree to it. A strong message that the issues that we have discussed must be dealt with should be sent to the successor committee.
In the same item of business
The Convener (Cathy Peattie):
Lab
Good morning. I open the Equal Opportunities Committee's fourth meeting in 2007. I remind all those present, including members, that mobile phones and BlackB...
Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab):
Lab
The delay is disappointing but, as stakeholders support it—presumably because they do not want the strategy to be rushed at the last minute—there is not much...
The Convener:
Lab
Absolutely.
Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab):
Lab
I agree with Elaine Smith. We should express our decided disappointment on the matter. The delay will affect work that we took up at the beginning of the pre...
Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP):
SSP
I agree with what members have said. The work on the strategy should be done properly. However, I am perplexed as to why that work has not been done properly...
The Convener:
Lab
We can ask about that in a letter to the minister, in which we can express our concerns.I agree with what colleagues have said. I am not happy about the publ...
Marlyn Glen:
Lab
Perhaps one problem is that we are looking for solutions to problems rather than seeing an on-going process. Publishing a report will not mean an end to the ...
The Convener:
Lab
It is absolutely right that the process is on-going, but perhaps a marker should be laid down to show where the process is and what the issues are. The commi...
Elaine Smith:
Lab
Getting the information that Carolyn Leckie asked for is important, but will the letter also include the comments that we have made and express our disappoin...
The Convener:
Lab
Yes.
Elaine Smith:
Lab
I just wanted to check that.
The Convener:
Lab
There is no reason why a copy of the Official Report of today's meeting cannot be included with the letter. I am sure that members of the committee will make...