Minutes: 08 November 2022

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 3, 4, 5 and 6 in private.

2. A modern and sustainable ferry service for Scotland:

The Committee took evidence from—

Rob Dickson, Director of Industry and Destination Development, VisitScotland;

Martin Johnson, Director of Strategy and Regional Economy, Highlands and Islands Enterprise;

Peter Clark, Deputy Director, Industry, Scotch Whisky Association.

3. A modern and sustainable ferry service for Scotland (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 2.

4. Environmental Standards Scotland's Strategic Plan (in private):

The Committee considered a draft report.

A change was agreed to, and the report was agreed for publication.

5. Environmental Common Frameworks (in private):

The Committee considered a draft letter to the Scottish Government.

The letter was agreed for publication.

6. Work programme (in private):

The Committee considered its work programme.

The Committee—

• agreed additional witness panels for its inquiry into a modern and sustainable ferry service for Scotland;
• considered its approach to the legislative consent memorandum on the Energy Bill (UK Parliament legislation) and agreed to invite the Scottish Government to give evidence on the memorandum; and
• further considered its approach to the legislative consent memorandum on the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill (UK Parliament legislation) and agreed to conclude its evidence-taking and to consider a draft report on the memorandum at a future meeting.