Seòmar agus comataidhean

What part of the process does the member want to change? We either have a panel or we do not have a panel. If we do not, that would require changes to be made to primary legislation. Does he want us to go through the primary legislation process in order to remove the panel, which would take us into 2026-27 or beyond, depending on what the political structures look like? What certainty would that give any organisation that is looking to establish a franchising system right now? If I were the chief executive of such an organisation and did not have a clue what the next Government, whatever shape or form it takes, would do on franchising, I would stop everything.

With regard to the asks of Get Glasgow Moving, I had a quick discussion and debate with Ellie Harrison of the group before we came to the meeting, and a lot of those points were raised. She made a strong argument and is very good at what she does. She is asking for streamlining, but our position is that we want to get franchising done, and we want it to work. The panels are part of the 2019 act. If the committee does not pass the SSI, we will still have the panels and the Government would then have to decide how we will take that model forward.

With regard to our scrutiny of what happens as we move forward, we will absolutely keep a close eye on how the model develops, what the guidance will look like and how that will all be implemented.

I ask Bridget Bryden to answer that, because she is working through the regulations, at the moment.

Yes.

I will take Bob Doris.

If we carry on with the legislation as it is, there will be a panel, regardless. That goes back to the point that Mr Lumsden made. [Interruption.] I will let you finish your point. I apologise; that was rude.

I did not speak to the transport secretary when I learned that the motion to annul was being lodged. I looked at the concerns and at why this was becoming an issue. I take on board the issues, but I go back to the primary point that I made, which is that if the committee does not pass the SSI, that will set us back considerably.

No. I envisage—and very much hope—that what will happen next is that the committee will pass the SSI today, which will allow us to continue to move forward with franchising. If that is not the case, I will have to go away and we will have to have some discussions.

Yes—SPT can continue with its work.

I disagree with Graham Simpson’s point. If the regulations are not approved and we continue the process of creating or finalising legislation to allow franchising to go ahead, the panel will be set up, because it is in the 2019 primary legislation. The panel will be established by the traffic commissioner, who will do that entirely separately and without any involvement of the Scottish Government, ministers or anybody else. It will be entirely up to the traffic commissioner. That point needs to be clarified before the committee votes. If we do not approve the SSI, there will still be a panel, but it will have no input at all from Government or officials. [Interruption.] We have clearly set something going.