Letter from the Convener of ECYP Committee to Minister HEFEYET
Thank you for your letter of 8 September 2021 regarding the ARIA Bill and the Scottish Government’s Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM). <>
As you will be aware, the Committee has been designated the lead Committee in scrutiny of the ARIA Bill with regard to the issues raised in the LCM. I note that the Scottish Government is not currently able to recommend consent and that discussions remain on-going between the Scottish and UK Governments<
The Committee considered its approach to scrutiny of the LCM at its meeting on 22 September. As part of that process, it was noted that your letter refers to correspondence between the Scottish and UK Governments regarding the issues raised in the LCM. I also note the welcome offer in your letter “to provide further information as may be felt helpful”.
In order to aid scrutiny of the LCM, the Committee agreed that I write to you to request copies of all correspondence from Scottish Ministers to UK Ministers on this issue, including the correspondence referred to in your letter of 8 September. I have also written in similar terms to the UK Government’s Minister for Science, Research and Innovation regarding all related correspondence from UK Ministers to the Scottish Government
I understand that my Clerks have issued an invitation to you to give evidence to the Committee on 27 October. In that regard, the Committee requests copies of all correspondence from Scottish Ministers to the UK Government on this issue be received in advance of your appearance before the Committee, ideally no later than Thursday 21 October 2021, in order to aid the Committee’s scrutiny.
Stephen Kerr MSP
Convener