Planning Scotland's Seas: Scotland's National Marine Plan. Consultation Response Analysis Report

19 EQUALITY

Chapter summary

• Only two respondents felt the creation of a Scottish National Marine Plan discriminated in any way.

19.1 The consultation continued by asking two questions about equality and discrimination. Respondents were asked,

Question 38: Do you believe that the creation of a Scottish National Marine Plan discriminates disproportionately between persons defined by age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, race and religion and belief?

Question 39: If you answered 'yes' to question 38, in what way do you believe that the creation of a Scottish National Marine Plan is discriminatory?

19.2 Half (sixty-three) of the respondents gave a response to this question. Only two (both individual) respondents commented that the Scottish National Marine Plan does discriminate disproportionately between persons defined by the categories stated ( Table 19.1). One referred to the accessibility of the Draft NMP and not to the impact of the policies. The other did not specify the expected impact of policies. The overwhelming majority viewed the creation of a Scottish National Marine Plan as non-discriminatory.

Table 19.1 Question 38: Do you believe that the creation of a Scottish National Marine Plan discriminates disproportionately between persons defined by age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, race and religion and belief?

19.3 Only two respondents (the same two individuals who answered 'yes' at Q38) answered Q39. Both respondents commented upon the need for improved accessibility and standards for the consultation. One respondent requested improved accessibility to the NMP in terms of both simplicity and a lack of requirement to be computer literate, in order for it not to be regarded as discriminatory.