Chamber and committees

I was taken by an answer that you gave there, cabinet secretary. I do not want to put words into your mouth, but I think that you said that you are not sure that people across Scotland know how much extra transmission we will need across Scotland to meet the demands and the needs of reaching net zero. I think that Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks is talking seven years in advance. I am not sure what the duration is for Scottish Power Energy Networks, but it is a relatively short-term thing.

Would it be useful if we came up with a plan to show what transmission will be needed in order to reach net zero? My mailbox is overloaded at the moment, perhaps like the national grid, and I do not think that anyone knows what is coming down the track towards them. Do you think that we ought to be honest with people and tell them that now?

I have one question before we leave this issue. There has been some discussion that the auctions for ScotWind did not produce as much income as they might have done, on the basis that more emphasis was put on the supply chain benefits. Can you try to quantify that or dispel that rumour before we move on?

The next item of business is the consideration of a draft Scottish statutory instrument. I am pleased to welcome to the meeting Kevin Stewart, the Minister for Transport, and I welcome him to his new role. From Transport Scotland, I welcome to the meeting Natalie Barton, who is a solicitor, and George Beale-Pratt, who is the smart policy manager. I thank them for joining us.

The instrument is laid under the affirmative procedure, which means that the Parliament must approve it?before?it?comes?into force. Following the evidence session, the committee will be invited at the next agenda item to consider a motion to approve the instrument.?I remind members that officials can speak under this item but not in the debate that follows. I believe that the minister would like to make a short opening statement.

Thank you, minister. Do any committee members have questions that they would like to ask?

The next decision is on whether to consider our draft report in private at future meetings. Do members agree to do so?

Members indicated agreement.

The committee will report on the outcomes of the instrument in due course. I invite the committee to delegate authority to me as convener to finalise the report for publication. Are members happy to do that?

Members indicated agreement.

No other members wish to contribute to the debate. Minister, I am advised that, technically, you may sum up in response to the debate, but I fear that you might not wish to add anything at this stage.

Good morning, and welcome to the 15th meeting in 2023 of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee. The first item is a decision on whether to take in private item 5, which is the consideration of a draft report on the committee’s inquiry into a modern and sustainable ferry service for Scotland. Do members agree to take item 5 in private?

Members indicated agreement.

Agenda item 3 is the formal consideration of motion S6M-08262.

Motion moved,

That the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee recommends that the National Smart Ticketing Advisory Board (Gender Representation on Public Boards) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 [draft] be approved.—[Kevin Stewart]

It would be useful to have feedback when you are in a position to know that. The aim of the instrument and the committee’s aim is to encourage people to attend. We do not want hurdles to be put in their way.