Chamber and committees

“Clear as mud,” is the expression, I am sure, Douglas. Monica Lennon wants to come in.

It is always the short ones that cause the problem when it comes to legislation. I think that I am right in saying that, basically, the Scottish Government is reserving its right to use EIAs if the UK goes with EORs, that there is no intention of dumbing down the process or making it easier, and that the standards will remain the same. That is what I take away from what you have said. Have I got that right?

Okay. I will not dwell on that any more. However, the matter is quite complex and intricate, and I am not sure that I would have used the words “concurrently” and “after consultation” to make it easier to understand. I have made my point.

The next item on the agenda is a debate on motion S6M-15261, which calls on the committee to recommend the approval of the draft order. I remind the committee that only the cabinet secretary and members may speak in the debate.

Deputy First Minister, I invite you to move the motion and to speak further to it if you feel that you would like to.

Motion moved,

That the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee recommends that the Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) Order 2025 be approved.—[Kate Forbes]

We move to item 5, which is consideration of two negative instruments.

The purpose of the two SSIs is to jointly introduce a decriminalised parking regime in the West Dunbartonshire council area. They are laid under the negative procedure, which means that they could come into force unless the Parliament agrees to a motion to annul them. No motions to annul have been lodged, and the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee had no comment on either of those instruments in its report.

No member has any comments on either instrument. I note that the policy note that goes with the instruments could have been simpler and easier to read.

I invite the committee to agree that it does not wish to make any recommendations in relation to the Road Traffic (Permitted Parking Area and Special Parking Area) (West Dunbartonshire Council) Designation Order 2024 (SSI 2024/270). Are we agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

I think that I have forgotten more than you probably know, in the sense that the legislation changes so quickly that it is hard to keep on top of it.

Monica Lennon has some questions.

I think that Bob Doris has the next question.

If I might be so bold, I suggest that there is a certain amount of confusion in the drafting of the SI—although my mother will be turning in her grave if I am picking somebody up on the use of English. Article 3(1) says that the function is to be exercisable “concurrently”, and then article 3(2) says that that is “after consulting”. I think that that is where the confusion has arisen.

I will leave it at that, as an observation, and move on to Kevin Stewart and then Bob Doris.

Monica Lennon is next.

Thank you very much. The deputy convener will ask the first questions.

In Mr Stewart’s first question, he referred to a comment about family farms. I thought, Lucy, that you might have taken the opportunity to say that you disagree with John McTernan, but I will not put words into your mouth.