Chamber and committees

As we have no further questions, I thank Mr Burgess and his team for coming in and answering our questions. It is much appreciated.

There is concern that, as you suggest, the Parliament lacks the ability to scrutinise secondary legislation because it is a take-it-or-leave-it situation. That might be an issue.

I will bring in Rachael Hamilton.

The bill requires the Scottish Government to consult on a draft plan. At the risk of going over ground that we have already covered, I note that there is no obligation to consult in making the plan itself. Given that the bill might cover other areas that it does not cover at the moment, and given your previous response, surely it would be sensible to consult as part of the work on the initial plan rather than the draft plan. Moreover, should the bill not contain an obligation on public bodies to consult during the formation of their plans rather than draft plans, to ensure that stakeholders, those with lived experience and organisations that represent older people with malnutrition or children who receive school meals are heard?

Thank you. I have a final question. What will private businesses’ involvement be and how will they play their part?

Yes.

I will move on to questions from Beatrice Wishart shortly, but first Jim Fairlie would like to ask a procedural question.

That is certainly something that our committee will be looking at. We will be looking at the process of the bill, but we will also be taking evidence on such issues and making some recommendations.

There was also a question about there being an oversight role for an existing or new public body. How can we hold the Scottish ministers to account to ensure that what is in the bill happens?

I see you nodding, Jonathan. Do you want to respond first?

I appreciate that education is a huge topic, but time is against us and we have to move on to the equally huge topic of housing.

Good morning. Welcome to the seventh meeting in session 6 of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee. I remind members who are using electronic devices to switch them to silent mode.

Our first item of business is a decision on whether to consider in private at future meetings our work programme, pre-budget letter and approach to stage 1 scrutiny of the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill. Are we agreed?

Members indicated agreement.