Minutes: 19 March 2024

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 5, 6 and 7 in private.

2. Automated Vehicles Bill (UK Parliament legislation):

The Committee took evidence on legislative consent memorandum LCM-S6-42 and supplementary legislative consent memorandum LCM-S6-42a from—

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Liana Waclawski, Lawyer and Jim Wilson, Licensing Team Leader, Scottish Government;

George Henry, National Operations Manager for Road Safety Policy and Education, Transport Scotland.

3. Scotland's railways since public ownership:

The Committee took evidence from—

Liz McLeod, Head of Regulatory Analysis, Office of Rail and Road;

Robert Samson, Senior Stakeholder Manager, Transport Focus;

and then from—

Kathryn Darbandi, Managing Director, Caledonian Sleeper Ltd;

Alex Hynes, Managing Director, Scotland's Railway;

Joanne Maguire, Chief Operating Officer, ScotRail Trains Ltd;

Liam Sumpter, Route Director, Network Rail Scotland.

Monica Lennon declared an interest as a Member of Unite the Union, and the RMT Parliamentary Group.

In relation to a question about partnership working in Springburn, Bob Doris declared an interest as a trustee of a local charity.

In relation to a question about accessibility, Monica Lennon declared an interest as a Patron of Disability Equality Scotland.

4. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2024 (SI 2024/192)

The Committee agreed to make no recommendation in relation to the instrument.

5. Automated Vehicles Bill (UK Parliament legislation) (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 2.

6. Scotland's railways since public ownership (in private):

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

7. Appointments to the Scottish Land Commission (in private):

The Committee considered correspondence relating to appointments to the Scottish Land Commission.