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Foreword
I am pleased to submit the Working Group's Report. We were given a year to look into the economic, social and personal impacts of what is called the adult entertainment industry in Scotland, and make recommendations for regulatory change. We have been, very firmly, an evidence based Group rather than an expert group and our focus has been to obtain evidence from a wide variety of sources in order to identify gaps in the current licensing regime, taking into account concerns raised by operators, performers, users, and members of the public.
Before agreeing that my name could be put forward as a potential group chair, I asked around to see what the pitfalls might be. People with experience of similar groups all said that if the Secretariat is good, you will be OK. Not knowing who the Secretariat would be I took a chance, but my faith and trust proved to be well founded. I wish to record my heartfelt appreciation for the help and support provided willingly, enthusiastically and efficiently by Anna Gilbert, Stephanie McTighe and Ken McKenna from the Scottish Executive Finance and Central Services Department Licensing Team.
Members arrived at the Group from different backgrounds and with differing views, yet we have all worked well together. I note here my thanks for their hard work, warmth, and good humour. We have been able to discuss sensitive issues comfortably and enjoy straightforward exchanges of views on tricky topics without losing sight of the task to be accomplished. We are reporting on time, with unanimous recommendations on the changes that we think should be made to the regulation of adult entertainment in Scotland.
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