Chamber and committees

What are the practical implications of the Scottish Government taking that different view? I presume that people who are watching will say that everyone seems to support high-speed rail, but there is a potential conflict on a matter of interpretation. Notwithstanding that you have said that there is time, there could be a delay to something that everyone seems to want to happen.

Grand.

I have only one substantive question. I sat on the Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee for a long time in the previous session. I think that it published a report at the end of the session that said that it was getting section 22 reports that were fairly blunt and challenging for the organisations that had been reviewed but that, those reports having been laid, very little was done. When, as seems inevitable, Audit Scotland lays a section 22 report on the nationalisation of ScotRail, will you help the committee to understand what you as a Scottish Government, and you as the minister, will do with that report and what action you will take in response to it?

I am grateful to you all and have no further questions.

Thank you for that response. It is very helpful.

Morag Watson, would you mind answering that question?

I will direct my second question to David Rodger, but other panel members can indicate if they are interested in responding.

The answers that we just heard were useful. This was not mentioned, but the committee has previously heard that a dedicated net zero resource or person within a local authority might be key. From your experience, particularly your interactions with Aberdeen and the shire councils, do you agree with that? Are there any policy levers that local authorities do not have that they usefully could have?

I will follow up on Morag Watson’s opening remarks. You said that we need 20GW by 2030. Last week, the cabinet secretary wound back on the ScotWind commitment, by saying—and I have the Official Report here—that reaching our targets on ScotWind is contingent on the national grid, which sounds to me rather like getting the excuses in early. What is your view? Can we achieve that, or has the cabinet secretary been making promises that cannot be delivered?

David Hammond, do you have any comments on the policy levers that might be useful for local authorities to have?

Under this order, is it correct that the function of Audit Scotland means that it will audit Scottish Rail Holdings and ScotRail Trains Ltd as a part of that audit? That is, Audit Scotland has power over ScotRail Trains Ltd as well.

Thank you.

I will ask a precise question. I understand the point that you make, but when do you expect the ScotWind projects to generate 25GW of electricity?