Chamber and committees

Under agenda item 5, we are taking evidence from Jamie Hepburn MSP, who is the Minister for Parliamentary Business. This is one of our regular sessions with the minister on Scottish Government work that is relevant to the committee.

The minister is accompanied by three Scottish Government officials—Nicola Wisdahl, who is the legislative consent memorandum and subordinate legislation programme team leader; Steven MacGregor, who is the head of the Parliament and legislation unit; and Douglas Kerr, who is the deputy legislation co-ordinator in the Scottish Government legal directorate. I welcome you all to the meeting.

First, I remind you all not to worry about turning on the microphones during the session, as they are controlled by broadcasting.

I invite the minister to make some opening remarks.

That was helpful.

Is the committee content with the instruments?

Members indicated agreement.

Is the committee content with the instrument?

Members indicated agreement.

That concludes the public part of the meeting.

Does the committee also wish to highlight to the lead committee the level of the fee uplift in relation to sheriff court fees of around 10 or 20 per cent?

Members indicated agreement.

Welcome to the 26th meeting in 2024 of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee. We have received apologies from Daniel Johnson MSP and Tim Eagle MSP. I remind everyone to switch off, or put to silent, mobile phones and other electronic devices.

The first item of business is to decide whether to take items 5, 6 and 7 in private. Is the committee content to take those items in private?

Members indicated agreement.

Under agenda item 2, we are considering one instrument, on which no points have been raised.

Is the committee content with the instrument?

Members indicated agreement.

Does the committee wish to welcome the United Kingdom Government’s commitment to amend the Procurement Act 2023 to correct the reference to the enabling power in section 122(14), as highlighted in the policy note accompanying the Scottish statutory instrument?

Members indicated agreement.