Chamber and committees

If it is brief.

Good morning, and welcome to the 17th meeting in 2024 of the Economy and Fair Work Committee. I have received apologies from Evelyn Tweed. Bob Doris is here as a substitute.

Our first item of business is a decision on whether to take items 9 and 10 in private, although members will note that a change has been made to the agenda. Are members content to take those items in private?

Members indicated agreement.

Following a request that I received yesterday from Tom Arthur, the Minister for Employment and Investment, I have agreed to defer consideration of the five tied pubs draft regulations and orders that were originally listed on today’s agenda until next week, so items 3 to 8 will now be taken at next week’s meeting.

In the absence of such security, was it short-sighted to base the establishment of the Scottish National Investment Bank on financial transactions, and to make the commitment to provide £2 billion over 10 years?

But, given the uncertainty about financial transactions in the future, does that not mean that there is a question mark over—

You can ask it if it is brief.

I remind Kevin Stewart that I am the convener and I asked for a brief question. There are a number of questions in there. Can you just cut to the chase and let the cabinet secretary answer?

Thank you. We will now move on to just transition issues. Maggie Chapman will ask the first questions on the topic, followed by Kevin Stewart.

If the cabinet secretary has time, you can ask it, but I note that it is quite an open question regarding a piece of work that we are considering doing.

I will stick with NSET and bring in Colin Smyth, and then Colin Beattie.