Hansard

The Convener SNP

Welcome back. Our next item of business is consideration of two draft affirmative instruments.I welcome to the meeting Siobhian Brown, Minister for Victims a...

The Minister for Victims and Community Safety (Siobhian Brown) SNP

Good morning, members, and thank you, convener.These Scottish statutory instruments form part of the Scottish Government’s programme of legal aid reform, whi...

The Convener SNP

Thank you, minister. We have some questions from members.

Tess White Con

Good morning, minister. Thank you for acknowledging that the committee’s recommendations have not been included, as that was what my first question was going...

Siobhian Brown SNP

Members will be aware that it was not possible to progress the legal aid reform legislation in this parliamentary session. Just over a year ago, I made a com...

Tess White Con

Did you hear the feedback that the rates are too low and that the work is becoming a loss leader for law firms? Those firms are in crisis mode, and the most ...

Siobhian Brown SNP

Yes, I heard that. I might bring in my officials on this but, in the responses to the consultation, opinion was divided 50:50. Half of the respondents though...

Tess White Con

During the debate on the issue in the chamber, there was huge criticism of the way in which the Scottish Legal Aid Board operates and its poor consultation. ...

Siobhian Brown SNP

That has been heard. I regularly meet representatives of the board, and I see work on that happening in the next parliamentary session, when we will explore ...

Tess White Con

Thank you.11:45

Rhoda Grant Lab

I have an overarching question on all the instruments. In rural areas, including the Highlands and Islands, which I represent, there are legal aid deserts, a...

Siobhian Brown SNP

Ms Grant has raised the availability of solicitors with me several times, and it is an issue that concerns me. That is why the work that we are discussing is...

Rhoda Grant Lab

Would you consider rural proofing future policy in this area, which would involve looking through a rural lens at areas where it is really difficult to get a...

Siobhian Brown SNP

I am sorry—I did not pick up the first thing that you said. What did you say about looking at things?

Rhoda Grant Lab

I asked about rural proofing policy.

Siobhian Brown SNP

I think that that could be taken on board, but that would have to be done at the same time as moving forward with legal aid reform.

Maggie Chapman Green

Good morning, minister. Thanks for joining us this morning. My question is not on the detail of the instruments before us but on the consequences. Given what...

Siobhian Brown SNP

That makes sense. A lot of work has been done in the past 12 months and we are now moving into the last six weeks of this session of Parliament. We know that...

Maggie Chapman Green

Thank you; I appreciate that.

The Convener SNP

Our next agenda item is consideration of the motions for approval of the affirmative instruments. I invite the minister to move the motions.Motions moved,Tha...

The Convener SNP

We will now suspend briefly for a change of officials before we consider a third draft affirmative instrument.11:50Meeting suspended.11:51On resuming—