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So, the First Minister has not requested any specific amendments in those areas that might permit him to reveal, or have further disclosure of, issues.

Audit Scotland has made a range of observations, criticisms and constructive suggestions about transparency for this set of accounts and others, which the permanent secretary will be well aware of. The committee would appreciate a response to the issues that were raised. That might help to deal with some of the issues that Mr Mason and Mr Greer are raising. We have concerns about those on-going transparency issues, so if you could set that out for us in a letter from the permanent secretary, that would be appreciated.

Douglas Lumsden is next.

But they have not given you any clarity.

Given that the First Minister said on 3 May that he was “happy” to check, will that advice be consistent with the previous advice? Will the First Minister find the same advice if he checks?

Yes.

Yes.

I mentioned the meeting that took place between Nicola Sturgeon and Jim McColl in May 2017. No civil servant was present at that meeting; a special adviser attended. They talked about the significant issue of expenditure. Would that have been an allowed practice at the time, or was that a decision that was taken by a minister?

On that point, we have talked about a warts and all policy. Too often, I hear about conversations, particularly on the most controversial decisions that are made, where meeting minutes have not been taken. We heard that in relation to both the Ferguson Marine scandal and, on several occasions, in relation to the former First Minister, with minutes not being taken of meetings between Scottish Government officials and lawyers and others. What action is the permanent secretary taking to ensure that that never happens again?

Thank you to the Deputy First Minister, the permanent secretary and officials for coming today. This was the last evidence session of our inquiry into effective Scottish Government decision making. We will consider our next steps at our meeting next Tuesday.

We will take a short break before the next item on our agenda, which is an evidence session with the permanent secretary.

Thank you. I will start with Lord Maude’s review of governance and accountability, which the UK Government established to recommend ways to make the Government more efficient. It is looking at the efficiency and effectiveness of the UK civil service. How will you give input to that review, given that you will be charged in part with delivering its outcomes in Scotland?