Seòmar agus comataidhean

The fourth item on the agenda is evidence from the Deputy First Minister and his officials on the draft Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Exceptions to Eligibility) (Scotland) Regulations 2021. The Deputy First Minister is again supported by Paul Beaton, who is the head of the legislation and contributions unit in the Scottish Government, and Barry McCaffrey, who is a lawyer in the Scottish Government legal directorate. I invite Mr Swinney to speak to the draft regulations.

Thank you. I believe that Fergus Ewing wanted to speak.

Deputy First Minister, is there anything that you would like to say on the instrument that has not previously been raised?

I thank the Deputy First Minister and his officials for their attendance today. We will have a two-minute suspension to allow them to leave.

The sixth item of business is consideration of another piece of subordinate legislation. These regulations are being considered under the negative procedure. Do members have any comments on the instrument?

As there are no comments, is the committee agreed that it does not wish to make any recommendations in relation to the instrument?

Members indicated agreement.

The seventh item on our agenda is consideration of another piece of subordinate legislation that is being considered under the negative procedure. Do members have any comments on the instrument?

The eighth item on the agenda is the final piece of subordinate legislation that we are considering today. The regulations are being considered under the negative procedure.

As members have no comments on the instrument, is the committee agreed that it does not wish to make any recommendations in relation to it?

Members indicated agreement.

There will now be a brief suspension to allow the witnesses for the next agenda item to take their seats.

Under the ninth item on our agenda, the committee will take evidence from the Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training, Jamie Hepburn, and his officials on the legislative consent memorandum on the Advanced Research and Invention Agency Bill. I welcome the minister to the committee. He is accompanied by Roddy MacDonald, who is the head of the higher education and science division, and Magdalene Boyd, who is a solicitor, both with the Scottish Government. Mr MacDonald and Ms Boyd are joining us virtually. Good morning to you all.

Minister, would you like to make a brief opening statement?

Thank you for that.