My opening remarks will be brief. I thank the committee for the invitation to speak to it. I am happy to talk through the Scottish Government’s position on Mark Griffin’s bill, which the Government supports in principle, as members know. I also welcome the opportunity to talk through some of the changes that I think will improve it.
The Scottish Government recognises deafness as a culture and very much recognises British Sign Language as a language. We formalised that in a statement of recognition in 2011.
If the committee will permit me to digress a bit, I am fascinated by the long cultural roots of sign language in Scotland. I was fascinated to learn that Joan, the daughter of King James I of Scotland—not King James I of Britain—who died in 1493, was deaf and used some form of sign language at court. That was recognised officially and interpreters were provided. I mention that because I very much recognise that we are talking about a culture with a long pedigree.
I hope that we can have a positive discussion about the benefits of supporting British Sign Language. Too often we talk about BSL users only as recipients of public services. I pay tribute to the resilience and creativity of the deaf community in Scotland and share the view that some of the deaf witnesses who gave evidence to the committee expressed. As a country, we will benefit from their contribution if we protect, promote, support and value their language and culture.
The committee has heard at first hand from BSL users in Scotland whose personal experience is often far from positive. I understand that witnesses have—rightly—pointed out that profoundly deaf people are covered by equality legislation and human rights conventions that define their disability. However, the evidence suggests that, despite those legal protections, their needs are still not being met. People who are profoundly deaf are often marginalised and excluded because they do not have linguistic access to information, to services or to opportunities and benefits that many of the rest of us take for granted.
I appreciate that the current picture is mixed. I understand that the committee has seen and heard evidence of truly excellent work that is going on to promote and support the use of BSL. I applaud all that, but I fear that it might be the exception rather than the norm, and I recognise that we can and must do a lot more across Scotland.
As I said, the Scottish Government supports the bill’s principles. As members know, we have suggested in the Government’s memorandum some changes, and I am delighted that Mark Griffin indicated in an earlier evidence session that he supports them. We have been working with him to develop more detailed proposals. I believe that the changes will simplify and streamline the requirements in the bill and reduce any bureaucratic burden on public bodies, while making the bill more action oriented and outcome focused.
I look forward to sharing more of the detail of our thinking with the committee and I look forward to hearing the committee’s views.