Chamber and committees

Yes, I am content with that.

That is the back of 11 o’clock, so we will draw the evidence session to a close. I thank Kate Wallace and Emma Bryson for their contribution.

We will have a short suspension to allow the witnesses to leave.

The next agenda item is consideration of legislative consent issues with regard to the United Kingdom Government’s Public Order Bill. I refer members to paper 3. You will see that the relevant provision in the bill is to extend powers similar to those currently held by Police Scotland to British Transport Police in Scotland for the policing of protests on railway land. The Scottish Government recommends that legislative consent be given to that provision.

I am happy to open the discussion to members now, and we will then consider what recommendation we want to make to Parliament on legislative consent. Do members have any queries or questions?

As there are none, the question is whether the committee agrees with the Scottish Government that the Scottish Parliament should consent to the relevant provisions in the bill as set out in the Scottish Government’s draft motion. Are members happy with that?

Members indicated agreement.

I will bring in Katy Clark and then Jamie Greene. We will run the meeting for as long as we need to, but it would be helpful if questions and answers could be succinct.

Are members content to delegate to me the publication of a short report that summarises the outcome of our deliberations on the legislative consent memorandum?

Members indicated agreement.

The matter will now be dealt with in the chamber. All members will decide on the question, based on our report.

It was during consideration of the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill, which would have been earlier this year.

Oh yes—last year. It would have been in 2022.

Does Jamie Greene want to come back in?

Thanks very much. There is a lot in what you have said and we can ask lots of follow-up questions, but I will bring in other members now, starting with Russell Findlay.