A Scottish Government Consultation on the Draft Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Bill

Consultation Questions

A total of 11 questions are asked in the consultation. However, respondents are not required to submit an answer to all questions and can choose to answer some or all of the questions as they choose.

To make it easier to analyse responses, a single question: "What, if any, comments would you make in relation to section [1] of the draft Bill?" is asked for each of the Bill's 6 substantive provisions.

An additional question: "What, if any, changes should be made to the schedule of listed authorities?" is intended to gather views on the bodies who are covered.

Two additional questions seek views on reporting, which is not currently described in the draft Bill, and invite consultees to offer any views, not already expressed in response to previous questions, including on how the draft Bill might be strengthened.

Finally, two further questions seek views on the impact of the draft Bill on equality groups, and the business and financial impacts. Responses to these questions will support the development of an Equality Impact Assessment and a Business Regulatory Impact Assessment.

Equality Impact Assessment

The Scottish Government is legally required to carry out an Equality Impact Assessment for all Government Bills and to publish the results within a reasonable period. The equality impact assessment process helps to identify the impact of a policy on people who share certain 'protected characteristics': age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race and religion or belief.

Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment

The Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment helps the Scottish Government to analyse the costs and benefits of proposed legislation.