Minutes: 26 September 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 6, 7, 8 and 9 in private.

2. Evidence session with the Minister for Parliamentary Business

The Committee took evidence from—

George Adam, Minister for Parliamentary Business, Steven Macgregor,Head of Parliament and Legislation Unit, Rachel Rayner,Deputy Legislation Co-ordinator, Scottish Government Legal Directorate and Greig Walker,Retained EU Law Act Management Lead, Scottish Government .

3. Instruments subject to affirmative procedure:

The Committee agreed that no points arose on the following—

Legal Aid and Advice and Assistance (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) (No. 4) Regulations 2023 (SSI 2023/Draft)
Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 Amendment Regulations 2023 (SSI 2023/Draft)
Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 (SSI 2023/Draft)
International Organisations (Immunities and Privileges) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Order 2023 (SSI 2023/Draft)
Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Act 2022 (Extension and Expiry of Temporary Justice Measures) Regulations 2023 (SSI 2023/Draft)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2023 (SI 2023/Draft)

4. Instruments subject to negative procedure:

The Committee agreed that no points arose on the following—

Road Traffic (Permitted Parking Area and Special Parking Area) (North Ayrshire Council) Designation Order 2023 (SSI 2023/249)
Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Consequential and Miscellaneous Amendments and Transitional Provision) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 (SSI 2023/258)
Health and Care Professions Council (Miscellaneous Amendment) Rules Order of Council 2023 (SI 2023/995)

5. Instruments not subject to any parliamentary procedure:

The Committee agreed that no points arose on the following—

Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023 (Commencement) Regulations 2023 (SSI 2023/262(C.21))

6. Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill (in private):

The Committee considered the delegated powers provisions in this Bill at Stage 1. It agreed to report to write to the Member in Charge, Christine Grahame MSP.

7. Economic Activities of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (UK Parliament legislation) (in private):

The Committee agreed to reconsider the powers to make subordinate legislation within devolved competence conferred on UK Ministers in the Bill, at the next meeting.

8. Energy Bill (UK Parliament legislation) (in private):

The Committee considered the supplementary legislative consent memorandum on the Bill. It agreed to report to the lead Committee on the Bill, the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee.

9. Evidence session with the Minister for Parliamentary Business (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier in the meeting. and agreed to write to the Scottish Government, the UK Government and the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee.