Chamber and committees

Okay—thanks.

I will phrase my question in another way. This power is “to be exercisable concurrently” with UK ministers. What does “concurrently” mean in practice?

Good morning. It would be helpful to clarify the scope of the powers that the Scottish ministers can exercise under the regulations. The environmental outcomes reports regime is the mechanism that is being pursued to replace the environmental impact assessments that were previously provided for. What scope is there for the Scottish ministers to take their own approach to environmental outcomes reports? Is there scope for ministers to vary the powers that apply under the regulations at present?

In short, it is like saying, “Proceed until apprehended.” The Scottish Government can exercise the function, but if you reach a point where that function is being exercised in a way that UK Government ministers do not agree with, they ultimately have the power to overrule on that matter. Is that correct?

In exercising the function, if you were to take an approach that was in conflict with the UK Government’s approach, where would the power reside to make the final decision on that?

I am not going to put words into your mouth.

Linda, is that your view?

Josh, you mentioned enforcement. Are you clear about what enforcement functions the commissioner will have? Are those functions sufficient, particularly in areas such as community engagement or land management plans?

Thanks.

Should the enforcement provisions for the commissioner be based on statute?