Chamber and committees

Excellent.

Under item 2, we continue our evidence taking as part of our inquiry into how devolution is changing post-European Union and how devolution should evolve to respond to the challenges and opportunities of the new constitutional landscape.

This morning, we will hear from a panel of former senior civil servants. We are joined by Professor Hugh Rawlings, Dr Andrew McCormick, Professor Jim Gallagher CB FRSE, Paul Cackette and Philip Rycroft, who joins us remotely. I warmly welcome you all. I will ask an opening question, after which we will move to questions from committee members.

Following the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020, there have been impacts on devolution. How do you think that regulatory divergence can work within the new constitutional landscape? How has devolution been impacted by the internal market act? I will go to Professor Rawlings first.

We are right up against the clock. I am sorry, Dr Allan. As you know, in a Thursday morning committee, we are up against the plenary session. The meeting of Parliament will kick off in a very small number of minutes.

I thank you all for your submissions and your contributions. I am sure that the committee has found them fascinating. Your candour and the information that we have gleaned from this session will help us in our deliberations. Thank you very much.

Good morning, and a warm welcome to the seventh meeting in 2023 of the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee.

Agenda item 1 is a decision on taking business in private. Do members agree to take item 4 in private?

Members indicated agreement.

I invite Mr Wragg to comment.

Thank you. I will move to questions from members.

Louise Thornton, you said that you have to go where the audience is. Are audience numbers the main driver in decision making?

I should have said to the panel that, if you want to come in on any of the questions that have been directed to someone else, you can indicate that by putting an R in the chat function. I am not sure what the R means; it might mean raise a hand. Our clerks will be monitoring that and will bring you in as best they can.

Agenda item 3 is an evidence session on the proposed schedule changes to Radio Scotland’s music programmes within the context of the impact of the BBC’s digital-first agenda on broadcasting output in Scotland. We are joined this morning by Steve Carson, director of BBC Scotland, and Louise Thornton, BBC Scotland’s head of commissioning. I invite Mr Carson to make an opening statement.

We are running out of time—sorry. We are facing the usual Thursday morning challenges. We move to Ms Boyack.