Speeches by Sullivan.

“It is about making that direct comparison. Just to continue with that theme, we have also met some workers from oil and gas who want to make the transition, but have had to foot the training bill themselves. How prevalent is it that workers are having to pay the bill for their own retraining? How could that be addresse…”

“Since you have raised that, Neil, I wonder if you could expand on that. I have heard from other industries that there is an issue with how the apprenticeship levy is operating in Scotland. I would be really keen for this Committee to get a better understanding of what that is and how it directly impacts the energy sect…”

“In short, colleges are not in the place that they could or should be in order to play their role fully in the skills transition. We could be further ahead, had colleges been better financially supported over the years.”

“This Committee has also heard from many people that relocating for clean energy jobs is another barrier. How much of a problem is this?”

“3. What steps his Department is taking to improve digital inclusion in Bathgate and Linlithgow constituency.”

“I welcome the investment in my constituency from Project Gigabit’s £157 million deal to upgrade Scotland’s broadband. The remote jobs market opens up employment opportunities for those who live outside the major cities. However, several constituents from more rural areas around Bridgend, Armadale, Bo’ness and Bathgate …”

“From what you said earlier, am I correct in understanding that the proposal put to the previous Lord Advocate was substantially different from what was put to you, perhaps on the basis of a better understanding of what the law required in terms of a statement of prosecution, which would allow a more targeted facility a…”

“Without an exclusion, what is to stop officers from identifying and intercepting regular visitors of the Thistle who they know are likely to be in possession of a controlled substance?”

“Thank you very much for coming along today. I think you have already touched upon this in your previous answer, but do you have any concerns regarding the policing of the Thistle and the surrounding community? Are there any issues that you feel have not really been addressed as yet, or any issues that have arisen that …”

“Do you think there is sufficient clarity, so there should not be any scope for different interpretations?”

“You will be aware that some key stakeholders have raised concerns that relying on a statement of prosecution policy allows room for interpretation and discretion, which may result in inconsistent and inequitable application of your policy. How do you respond to that?”

“I will just clarify my question. If there are many proposals being put to you to address an issue of public health, such as the terrible statistics that we are seeing around drug deaths, and if you are receiving repeated requests around that, do you see it as more appropriate that legislators step in to take ownership …”

“I am looking for a statement of what you would see the success criteria to be in terms of benefiting public health, as per the stated original intention.”

“To get a little more clarity on this, what outcomes would you see as clear evidence that this facility has delivered benefits to public health—for example, a reduction in drug deaths or a reduction in related illnesses and conditions? Do you have a clear set of outcomes that will in some way be measured throughout the …”

“You have emphasised the importance of a robust evaluation at the Thistle. What outcomes would you class as clear evidence that the facility does indeed benefit public health?”

“To clarify—I am aware of time, so I would ask you to be brief on this point—you did look at comparative evidence from other cities and countries that had similar problems and at the evidence emerging of the efficacy or otherwise of drug consumption facilities.”

“As the Chair has mentioned, this Committee has visited sites in Oslo and Bergen. Did you and your office look at evidence from such sites, particularly as to comparative problems not just with drug deaths, but with drug harms, including those arising from blood-borne conditions?”

“Okay, thank you. To what extent did your assessment that it would not be in the public interest to prosecute users of the Thistle hinge on the time-limited nature of the three-year pilot?”

“Lord Advocate, you mentioned some of the aims of the facility, which include reducing public drug use, reducing drug deaths and helping vulnerable people to access support to recovery. To what extent was your prosecution policy predicated on academic and medical evidence that drug consumption facilities benefit public …”

“Lord Advocate, you have touched upon this point already in mentioning the role of Members as legislators. To what extent is your prosecutorial discretion an appropriate substitute for a full legal framework allowing and properly regulating safer drug consumption facilities?”