Chamber and committees

It is a very interesting question. I am thinking about some local authorities that burn a lot of their waste because there is no other way to dispose of it—those with island communities, for example—and I wonder whether they will be disadvantaged as a result of the proposal. Cabinet secretary, could you address that issue?

I encourage committee members to put short questions, and witnesses to give short answers, because we are quite pushed for time.

I have a very short question. On 1 April 2025, will the whole of the United Kingdom or just Scotland implement the measures?

The deputy convener has some questions.

My point is that, with computer printers, for example, we went through a stage when it was cheaper to buy a new printer than it was to buy the ink cartridges to go in the printer, so people ended up throwing away a perfectly serviceable printer because it was cheaper to buy a new one with printer cartridges installed. I just want to ensure that we do not go that way with this issue.

Good morning and welcome to the 24th meeting in 2024 of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee. Agenda item 1 is for the committee to decide whether to take in private item 8, which is consideration of the evidence that we will hear today on the United Kingdom Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill. Do we agree to take that item in private?

Members indicated agreement.

We agree, so item 8 will be taken in private.

The committee will report on the outcome of the instrument in due course. I invite the committee to delegate authority to me, as convener, to approve the draft report for publication. Are members happy with that?

Members indicated agreement.

That was nicely parked, minister.

Let us move on to the announcement that you have made to the committee this morning. I reiterate that I am delighted that you made it to the committee—I just want to make sure that committee members have a chance to ask questions about it. Douglas Lumsden has indicated that he wants to ask a question, as has Bob Doris.

Yes, please.

As there are no other comments, we move to item 6, which is the debate on motion S6M-13501, which calls on the committee to recommend approval of the Companies Act 2006 (Scottish public sector companies to be audited by the Auditor General for Scotland) Order 2024.

I invite the cabinet secretary to move the motion.

Motion moved,

That the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee recommends that the Companies Act 2006 (Scottish public sector companies to be audited by the Auditor General for Scotland) Order 2024 [draft] be approved.—[Gillian Martin]

Motion agreed to.