Minutes: 21 February 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 5 and 6 in private.

2. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 (Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land) Amendment Regulations 2023 [draft] from—

Màiri McAllan, Minister for Environment and Land Reform and Paul Richardson, Senior Policy Advisor, Land Reform, Scottish Government.

Edward Mountain declared an interest as a landowner and a tenant farmer.

3. Subordinate legislation:

Màiri McAllan (Minister for Environment and Land Reform) moved—S6M-07603—That the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee recommends that the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 (Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land) Amendment Regulations 2023 be approved.

The motion was agreed to by division (For 6, Against 0, Abstentions 1).

The Committee agreed to delegate to the Convener responsibility for finalising a draft report for publication.

4. A modern and sustainable ferry service for Scotland:

The Committee took evidence from—

Harald Høyem, Transport Analyst, Asplan Viak AS;

Dag Hole, Director of Ferry Management, Norwegian Public Roads Administration;

and then from—

Robbie Drummond, Chief Executive, CalMac Ferries;

Stuart Garrett, Managing Director and Jim Dow, Commercial Director, NorthLink Ferries.

Monica Lennon indicated that she is a Member of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Parliamentary Group.

Monica Lennon indicated that she is a Member of Unite the Union.

5. A modern and sustainable ferry service for Scotland (in private):

The consideration of evidence for this item was deferred to a later meeting.

6. Work programme (in private):

The Committee considered its work programme.

The Committee agreed its approach to a short inquiry into aspects of Scotland's energy needs. The Committee agreed to delegate to the Convener authority to finalise the remit of the inquiry. The Committee agreed to appoint Fiona Hyslop as Committee reporter for the inquiry, on the skills and training needs of the energy industry, reporting back on evidence taken on this matter by the Economy and Fair Work Committee during its inquiry into the just transition for the Grangemouth area.

In relation to the inquiry into aspects of Scotland's energy needs, Edward Mountain declared that he owns land on which SSEN have power lines and is in negotiations with SSEN about the possibility of other power lines going across his land.