Chairman:

The purpose of today's meeting is a discussion with Mr. Colin Bell of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. On behalf of the joint committee, I extend a warm welcome to Mr. Bell. We are all very much aware of the excellent and valuable service provided by the trust to those persons affected by the loss of loved ones abroad. Following Mr. Bell's opening statement, there will be a questions and answers session during which he can expand on the work of the trust.

Before we begin, I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference, even if on silent mode, with the recording equipment in this room. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. If, however, they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

I now invite Mr. Bell to make his opening statement.