We come to agenda item 2. It is my pleasure again, for the second week in a row, to welcome Annabelle Ewing, Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, and her officials to the committee to speak to a draft Scottish statutory instrument, which is to be dealt with under the affirmative procedure. With the minister this morning are Denise Swanson, head of the access to justice unit, and Alastair Smith, from the Scottish Government’s directorate for legal services.
I remind members that this is an affirmative instrument. Officials are permitted to give evidence under this item but not to participate in the formal debate under item 3. I refer members to paper 1, which is a note by the clerk, and I invite the minister to make a short opening statement.