Chamber and committees

We move to agenda item 4. I refer members to papers 5 and 6. The committee will now consider the first two of five statutory instrument consent notifications. Under the protocol between the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government, the consent notifications have been categorised as type 1, meaning that the Scottish Parliament’s agreement is sought before the Scottish Government gives consent to the United Kingdom Government to make secondary legislation that affects devolved competence.

Does any member wish to raise an issue with either of the consent notifications? As no one does, is the committee content that the provisions set out in the notifications should be included in UK SIs?

Members indicated agreement.

I put the same question to Douglas Cowan. Has Highlands and Islands Enterprise considered that?

We move to consideration of three retrospective UK SIs that were made over the campaign recess. As the instruments have been made, the Scottish Parliament will not have the opportunity to agree to the Scottish ministers’ consent, as it has already been given. The committee is invited to note the decision and write to the Scottish Government for more information about the Scottish and UK Governments’ longer-term plans for import checks for plant and animal products as a consequence of EU exit.

Are members content with that approach?

Members indicated agreement.

Yes, we can.

Yes.

Is the committee content to delegate authority to me to sign off a letter to the Scottish Government informing it of our decision?

Members indicated agreement.

Thank you. We move to transport questions from Rachael Hamilton.

Would anyone else like to come in? I think that Camille Dressler indicated that she would like to speak.

Thank you. There are a couple of topics that we have not touched on, including health, and we are coming to the end of the session. However, the topic that is at the forefront of everyone’s mind, particularly with the 26th United Nations climate change conference of the parties—COP26—coming up, is climate.

I thank all the witnesses for their contributions this morning. Lots of answers to our questions have led to more questions that need to be asked, so I am sure that, over the coming months and years, you will all appear in front of us again, as we take forward our work relating to the islands.