Issues of diversity in elected bodies have been highlighted in recent years, both with regard to elected representatives themselves, and, more recently, in respect of the treatment of those working in such institutions, especially women. This article focuses on another aspect of diversity, inequality and representation, the voices heard by parliamentary committees in their scrutiny of government actions and legislation.The article discusses the current position in the Scottish Parliament (and other UK legislatures) with, for example, around three-fifths of witnesses at Holyrood being male, and highlights both ‘demand’ and ‘supply’ factors that influence the make-up of committee witnesses. It also identifies a number of functions that witnesses can play for committees, and how these relate to diversity and representation, and suggests that there may be benefits to committees and legislatures in hearing from a wider range of voices.

The committees of the Scottish Parliament play an important role in scrutinising the legislation and policies of the Scottish Government, and indeed the work of other organisations. A key element of that task is gathering evidence, including from those who appear as witnesses, yet relatively little has been written about that work. This article draws upon an analysis of committee witnesses and interviews with MSPs and officials to provide further understanding of how witnesses are selected, describe some of their characteristics, and consider how they contribute to committee inquiries. It suggests that while the Parliament has made progress in seeking evidence from beyond the ‘usual suspects’, there would be further benefits in diversifying further the voices from which committees hear.

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