Chamber and committees

That is a really important point. Obviously, chambers of commerce operate throughout the UK—indeed, I have spoken with some of your colleagues from elsewhere in the UK at events past. Do you feel that the voice of Scottish business and the opportunities and concerns that you talked about are heard—through the chambers network, through your organisation or directly to a Whitehall department—in those corridors and environments?

Do you think that the Scotland Office or other UK Government departments would relay your concerns or points of recommendation? Could there be a better process to ensure that the voice of Scottish business is heard?

On that, do you see value in Scottish ministers undertaking overseas visits?

Thanks for all that. I have one final question. All of that considered, do you think that, rather than the UK Government questioning the Scottish Government’s international engagement, it would be better if both Governments saw the value of international engagement and worked collaboratively in the common interest of Scotland, which includes Scottish business?

Good morning to the panel. I want to build on some of the very important points about assets.

Do you want to add any more about how we will benefit from urging developers and organisations with space to consider the creative community as new tenants or to consider a different utilisation for properties that they have? I represent the Edinburgh Northern and Leith constituency, and I regularly urge developers and organisations to do that, because we have seen the benefit of such entities in Edinburgh Northern and Leith; there is the Out of the Blue Drill Hall, and there are initiatives that Wasps Studios and Edinburgh Palette have undertaken, for example.

The reason why I emphasise that is because, when Professor David Stevenson gave evidence to the committee, he highlighted that meeting overheads is a key issue. How beneficial to the creative community is sharing those costs, and how can we do more together to urge private sector developers and the public sector to utilise space to provide areas for creative businesses and organisations? They could potentially have somebody else manage the core costs and/or share them.

That is disappointing but, sadly, not surprising. Are you saying that there has been no meaningful engagement, or only tokenistic engagement, from UK ministers on the matter?

It is helpful to get your reflections on the sad lack of intergovernmental engagement.

On the nine items in the schedule, I appreciate the points that you made in answer to Mr Bibby that the Scottish Government has more general concerns at this stage and that it is still exploring the detail so, if you want to come back to my question later, I will fully understand. Statutory instrument 2019/575 and regulation 2017/352 relate to port services. Are considerations around green freeports at all related to those instruments?

I want to follow up on some of the themes that colleagues have already touched on. Of course, as has already been said, Scotland’s international engagement is about profile, narrative and reputation. For me, that boils down to interest, affection and respect for Scotland. I think that we are already in quite a strong position with regard to those elements, and that the work of the Scottish Government has added to that. That is important because of practical matters around trade, humanitarian assistance—Scotland has a small international development programme, but has a high impact—partnership and working with others elsewhere to try to positively affect United Kingdom policy.

However, as well as looking at what is happening outside Scotland, we need to think about how what is done affects what is happening within Scotland. If we are not doing the international work and continuing to develop that profile, the narratives and our reputation and the concept of internationalism might diminish at home. What are your reflections on the importance of Government leadership, not only in terms of national global citizenship but in terms of how it positively influences good global citizenship among the population in Scotland?

Thank you.

Professor Jackson talked about the mutual benefit to the UK Government of having other entities—including the Scottish Government—engaging in international affairs. Do you want to expand on that, Professor Jackson? That means including not only the Scottish Government but the Welsh Government, the British Council and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. Do you want to say any more about how that benefits the UK Government and is a mutual positive rather than anything else?