Minutes: 19 September 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

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

2. Scottish Government priorities relevant to the Committee's remit:

The Committee took evidence from—

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands and George Burgess, Director of Agriculture and Rural Economy, Scottish Government.

Edward Mountain declared an interest as a Partner in Delfur Farms Farming Partnership, of Moray, a farming business with ancillary residential lettings.

Edward Mountain declared an interest as a landowner of approximately 460 acres of farmland in the Moray local authority area with a market value of between £2,000,001 and £2,100,000.

and then from—

Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Transport, Scottish Government;

Alison Irvine, Interim Chief Executive and Bill Reeve, Director of Rail, Transport Scotland.

Monica Lennon indicated that she is a Patron of Disability Equality Scotland.

Monica Lennon indicated that she is a Member of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Parliamentary Group.

3. UK subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered a proposal by the Scottish Government to consent to the UK Government legislating using the powers under the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 in relation to the following UK statutory instrument proposals—

The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (Revocation and Sunset Disapplication) Regulations 2023

The Committee agreed that the provision set out in the notification should be included in the UK statutory instrument. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government regarding its decision.

4. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2023 (SI 2023/850)

The Committee agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the instrument.

5. Scottish Government priorities relevant to the Committee's remit (in private):

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

6. Work programme (in private):

The Committee considered its work programme.

The Committee agreed to carry out post-legislative scrutiny of section 91 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (duty on Scottish Ministers to have a public engagement strategy on climate change) and, as part of this, to make a proposal to the Conveners Group for a deliberative democracy exercise involving a citizens' panel.

The Committee agreed to invite Ferguson Marine to give evidence following its forthcoming quarterly update on Hulls 801 and 802.

The Committee considered correspondence from the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee seeking views on Standing Order rule changes relating to the refusal of legislative consent and agreed a response.