Chamber and committees

I am conscious of time, so it would be really helpful if we could try to be a bit more concise.

I would like you to be really concise, Dr McCormick.

Indeed—scrutiny has been of concern to the committee as well.

Finally, we will hear from Mr Rycroft.

I want to ask a final question about the issues around intergovernmental relations. Something that happened recently but which had not happened previously in 20 years of devolution was use of a section 35 order by the UK Government.

I was saying something about the impact on the UK Equality Act 2010, which includes Northern Ireland. In his address to the House of Commons, Alister Jack said that it was about regulation across borders, but we have an open border between Northern Ireland and Ireland, and one of the principles of the market access that it has is free movement of workers. People could move who have a certificate that was gained in Ireland or, indeed, in Spain, once that legislation has been introduced. Keeping away from the subject matter of what has happened, do you have a reflection to offer on what the fact that a section 35 order has now been used means for devolution?

We have done considerable work on that in the committee and in conjunction with our colleagues in the other devolved legislatures who are equally affected by what has happened with the Sewel convention. Thank you for that.

Mr Cackette—am I pronouncing that properly?

We move to questions from other committee members.

Mr Rycroft might be having problems with his microphone.

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.