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Obviously, randomisation in the way that Mr Greer has mentioned would lock in another disadvantage, because there would still be somebody at the top. There has been a fair bit of discussion and debate about the issue, and it is really difficult to find an answer. Would it be possible for Mr Greer not to press his amendment 66 today, but to have a discussion with the minister about finding a way that the issue can be looked at properly?

When I had Mr Hepburn’s role in Government, the issue was looked at, and I fell on the side of thinking that the practical solution is to have two ballot papers—one going from A to Z and one going from Z to A. That would mean that those who were in the middle would be in the middle. However, some people would be at the top of half the ballot papers and at the bottom of the other half, so the advantage would be removed.

Like Mr Greer, I do not want to be prescriptive. The changes would absolutely have to be taken forward in collaboration with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and local government colleagues, because local government is where the proposal would have the most impact. Particularly when there are two members of one party on a ballot paper, it is a big issue.

There is an issue. Perhaps we could introduce a power, so that the change could ultimately be taken forward without waiting for another bill. Maybe we can jointly have a discussion with the minister about a stage 3 amendment.

I want to ask about how the legislation has developed since it has come into force, particularly in Victoria, where it has been in force for nearly five years. Some people are concerned that, if the legislation is introduced in Scotland, there will be an inevitable, as they would say, slippery slope to expansion. On the other hand, when we pass legislation in a new area, we would expect that legislation to be reviewed and finessed.

Perhaps you can tell us about how the law has developed in Victoria in particular, and elsewhere in Australia. Have there been changes to the eligibility criteria? Have the criteria expanded or contracted? Have the safeguards that were included in the legislation in Victoria when it was first brought in been made more robust or relaxed? Finally, how have the numbers changed over time? Has there been a massive increase, or have the numbers stabilised?

I want to ask about how the legislation has developed since it has come into force, particularly in Victoria, where it has been in force for nearly five years. Some people are concerned that, if the legislation is introduced in Scotland, there will be an inevitable, as they would say, slippery slope to expansion. On the other hand, when we pass legislation in a new area, we would expect that legislation to be reviewed and finessed.

Perhaps you can tell us about how the law has developed in Victoria in particular, and elsewhere in Australia. Have there been changes to the eligibility criteria? Have the criteria expanded or contracted? Have the safeguards that were included in the legislation in Victoria when it was first brought in been made more robust or relaxed? Finally, how have the numbers changed over time? Has there been a massive increase, or have the numbers stabilised?

I want to ask about how the legislation has developed since it has come into force, particularly in Victoria, where it has been in force for nearly five years. Some people are concerned that, if the legislation is introduced in Scotland, there will be an inevitable, as they would say, slippery slope to expansion. On the other hand, when we pass legislation in a new area, we would expect that legislation to be reviewed and finessed.

Perhaps you can tell us about how the law has developed in Victoria in particular, and elsewhere in Australia. Have there been changes to the eligibility criteria? Have the criteria expanded or contracted? Have the safeguards that were included in the legislation in Victoria when it was first brought in been made more robust or relaxed? Finally, how have the numbers changed over time? Has there been a massive increase, or have the numbers stabilised?

Young people have said to a number of members that they have been told by the Chalmers clinic that there has been a pause on gender-affirming treatments. Is that not true, or is it something that you would want to go away and have a look at?

I was not here when Dr Cass gave her evidence, so I did not hear it directly. There has been a fair degree of controversy around the methodology of the Cass review—not least and most recently from the British Medical Association. What is your position on the methodology that was employed by the Cass review? Will you comment on the work of the BMA review and how the Government will respond to that review once it is published?

Gillian Mackay mentioned that she had spoken to young trans people, and that that was where some of her questions were coming from.

The Cass review was about children—that was the work that was done. There is, however, a concern from some young trans people that its reach goes further than just children, and that there have been policy decisions that affect those in the 17 to 24 age group. Have there been such policy decisions? It has been suggested that the Chalmers clinic has paused gender-affirming treatments for that age group. What is the decision-making process around that? Is there a policy change, and what can those young people expect for the future?

Anything that can be done to get some transparency on the matter would be very helpful, because a number of people are really concerned about it. However, what you have said has been helpful for now.

It would be useful if Professor Ellis or Professor Strath could give us an indication of the timescales for the trial, because people are keen to hear how that is progressing.

I have two quick questions. First, does COSLA think that the bill will be improved by the stage 2 amendments, or will the amendments make it worse? Would you prefer the bill without the stage 2 amendments, which have not yet been passed? Secondly, have you done any work on amendments of your own that you might ask ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ to lodge during the stage 2 process? We are in an unusual situation of having a pre-stage 2, which means that the amendments have been proposed, but have not been voted on yet.