Chamber and committees

Thank you, cabinet secretary.

The UK Government has stated that

“The UK Government and the devolved Governments agree that where common frameworks are operating they are the right mechanism for discussing REUL reform in the areas they cover”

and that when

“using the powers in the Bill, we will use common frameworks to engage with the devolved Governments on decision-making across the UK.”—[Official Report, House of Lords, 8 March 2023; c 813.]

Do you agree with that statement, cabinet secretary?

The screen has frozen, so we will suspend the meeting briefly.

Under item 2, the committee will begin to take evidence as part of our inquiry into the Scottish Government’s national outcomes and indicators relating to international policy. We are delighted to be joined this morning by Professor Stephen Gethins, professor of practice in international relations at the University of St Andrews; Professor Juliet Kaarbo, professor of foreign policy at the University of Edinburgh; and Professor Peter Jackson, chair in global security at the University of Glasgow. Thank you all for your written submissions, which were very helpful.

On that note, we will move straight to questions from the committee. I will ask the first question. Professor Kaarbo, your submission suggests an emphasis on strategic narratives, statecraft and reputation. Could you elaborate on where Scotland is now and where the Scottish Government might take us in the near future?

Unfortunately, that brings us to the end of the time that we have available this morning, as we have another agenda item to deal with. I thank Professor Gethins, Professor Kaarbo and Professor Jackson for their attendance this morning.

I briefly suspend the meeting to allow witnesses to onboard for the next session.

10:20 On resuming—  

Elliot Robertson has indicated that he wants to come in. [Interruption.] Elliot Robertson? [Interruption.] We are not getting any sound. [Interruption.] Does any other official want to come in? I am sorry, but the sound was dreadful.

Greig Walker has indicated that he wants to come in, cabinet secretary. Are you content for him to do so?

We have lost audio again. I will suspend briefly.

Yes—absolutely. Do Professor Gethins and Professor Jackson want to comment? Could one of you say a bit more about the Scottish Council on Global Affairs?

Okay. Can I have succinct questions please because we are tight for time this morning? Mr Bibby will be followed by Mr Macpherson.

Recently, the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture made a statement about utilising global citizens in the diaspora, which Ireland has done particularly well. Do you think that the Scottish population who lives here engages in that process? Is there more that we can do to enthuse citizens in Scotland?