Chamber and committees

Thank you, cabinet secretary, for attending this morning, along with your officials.

I suspend the meeting briefly while we change the panel.

Before I bring in Jamie Halcro Johnston, I have a question. Given that the chief executive left with immediate effect, what impact did that have on the bank? You seemed to suggest that there has been no impact, but with such a post there would usually be a handover period, and you would know in advance that somebody was about to leave. What impact did the immediate resignation have on the bank?

Thank you very much. That brings us to the end of the evidence session. I thank both witnesses for speaking to us this morning.

Thank you, Ms Jameson and Mr Watt, and welcome to the committee.

Mr Watt, as you set out in your statement, there is a recent resignation issue, which I am sure that some members of the committee will wish to ask about. I understand your role as employer, and you have set out clearly the parameters within which you wish to discuss the issue.

I have some questions about timescales. I am interested in when you, as the chair, were notified of the chief executive’s decision to resign, when the board was informed, and at what stage the shareholder—which is the Scottish Government—was informed.

Good morning and welcome to the Economy and Fair Work Committee’s seventh meeting in 2022. Under agenda item 1, does the committee agree to take in private item 3, which is on our work programme?

Members indicated agreement.

Our next item of business is consideration of a second supplementary legislative consent memorandum on the Professional Qualifications Bill, which is a United Kingdom Government bill that was introduced in the House of Lords on 12 May 2021. The bill will change the law on devolved matters.

The committee considered the first LCM on the bill on 29 September 2021 and published a report on 22 November. Following amendments to the bill, the committee considered a second LCM on 9 February 2022 and published a further report on that day, after which the Scottish Parliament debated the LCM.

The UK Government confirmed that it was not prepared to add to the bill the consent mechanism that the Scottish Government seeks, but agreed to produce an amendment on consultation of devolved authorities, which was tabled on 22 February. Following that, the Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise wrote to tell the committee that the Scottish Government had lodged a second supplementary LCM and that its position on the bill remains unchanged—the Scottish Government does not recommend that Parliament give its consent to the bill.

The Parliament agreed on 1 March that, for the purposes of consideration of the second supplementary LCM, standing orders would be suspended, which removes the requirement for the committee to publish a report. Does the committee agree to note the second supplementary LCM on the bill and the minister’s letter?

Members indicated agreement.

That concludes the public part of the meeting.

Do any other members have questions? Two members are attending virtually.

The clerks will produce a short factual report and arrange to have it published.

I thank the minister and his officials for joining us this morning.

Thank you.