I do understand the sentiment behind the amendment, but I still don't believe it's necessary and so won't be supporting it. I certainly don't disagree that any public body or, indeed, any responsible employer, would provide information, advice and training to its staff and any volunteers that perform functions on its behalf. That's an inherent part of being able to deliver on its functions effectively. I've made clear throughout scrutiny our commitment to support the citizen voice body to provide information, advice and training to its staff and volunteers, and that is illustrated by inclusion in the regulatory impact assessment of projected costs for the training of staff and volunteers.

However, I am of the view that including a provision such as this on the face of the Bill is unnecessary. I think it is unusual to assume that a public body will not support its staff and volunteers properly when they are so crucial to its mission. In fact, what we see drafted in the amendment is what you might normally expect to see in a staff or volunteer handbook, as opposed to written into legislation.

The package of support that we have outlined in the RIA demonstrates that the CVB will have the resources it needs to provide training, advice and information to both its staff and members, and it can choose to move that resource around according to its view on its needs. This recognises the importance that we place on the role of staff and volunteers to delivering the ambition that we have for the new citizen voice body.