Chamber and committees

Douglas Lumsden has a question, and I will then bring in Jackie Dunbar, who has sat very quietly in this session.

This has been a marathon session, but we still have a few more questions. Jackie Dunbar has some, I have some, I think that Douglas Lumsden might have some, and there might well be a few follow-up questions from other committee members. However, I do not want anyone to feel under pressure, as there is more time available. I will suspend the meeting briefly, for five minutes, to allow people to stretch their legs. We will then come straight back with Jackie Dunbar’s punchy questions.

Thank you. Mark Ruskell has some questions.

Before we get answers, I want to make sure that Monica Lennon and Claudia Cowie are back. I cannot see them on the screen. [Interruption.] They are there now. I am sorry, Jackie—I just did not want them to miss any comments that might be made.

It is probably fair to say that both the deputy convener and Bob Doris talked about cuts. Of course, it could work the other way—there could be more money to spend, which might allow us to reach our targets earlier.

I thank the witnesses for giving evidence. We have had quite a long session of two and a half hours, and I appreciate the time that you have given us at short notice. It has been really helpful. The committee will carefully consider your comments and will have to report back to the Government very quickly.

Monica, do you want to come back on any of the points that you have heard? I have a question, and then I know that you have a few more questions to ask.

Jamie Brogan caught my eye and seems very keen to come in.

Okay.

I am going to talk briefly about the financial memorandum, which I guess anyone would describe as thin gruel. The Government, in its defence, would say that it will not cost anything to come up with a climate change plan, because it was coming up with something anyway, and that it already has all the resources it needs to come up with the carbon budgets. However, the bill relies on subordinate legislation to set up the carbon budgets and the climate change plan, and they will have a cost and will not necessarily have financial memorandums.

Claudia Cowie, you were quite forthright, I think, in your submission on behalf of your organisation. I am trying to remember the exact words that you used—you probably have them in front of you. If I remember rightly, you said that there was not enough time and not enough detail. Is that a good or bad synopsis?

Okay—thank you. Jamie?

You are being clear; I am just wondering whether we need milestones.

I will bring in Jamie Brogan and then go to Bob Doris and the deputy convener. I am sorry—I have stirred up a hornets’ nest.