Seòmar agus comataidhean

Thank you, Mr Kemp.

Mr Ireland, do you want to reflect on what the previous two speakers have said? They have described very acute pressures on the sector. Are those mainly a result of the pandemic and the global economic slowdown, or are they particular to the arrangements for supporting the sector that we have in Scotland?

I am sure that other members will raise the issue that Fiona has asked about, but if Stephen wants to make a brief comment, that is fine.

Bill Ireland mentioned the Scottish National Investment Bank. He said that it was a stakeholder. Is not it a body that companies can go to for additional support?

I thank all the witnesses for their evidence, which has been very helpful for our inquiry. We hope to report some time in the new year. If you want to share any further information, please send it to us in writing.

I will take a brief supplementary question from Jamie Halcro Johnston. It would be helpful if he could direct it to one of the witnesses.

The main item of business this morning is the fifth evidence session in our inquiry into Scotland’s supply chain, in which we are looking at the short-term and medium-term structural challenges that Scotland’s supply chain faces and how the challenges and shifts in supply chains are impacting on Scotland’s economy. We want to consider future resilience and whether there are opportunities to develop domestic supply chains.

This week, we are looking at the construction sector. I thank our witnesses for joining us. I welcome Gordon Banks, who is managing director of Cartmore Building Supply Company Ltd; Bill Ireland, who is chief executive of Logan Energy Ltd; and Stephen Kemp, who is a board member of the Scottish Building Federation.

We have received apologies from Stephen Good, who is chief executive of the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, who cannot attend due to illness. We send him our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

As usual, I ask members and witnesses to keep questions and answers concise, and it would be helpful if members could direct their questions to the witness they wish to respond.

I will start with an introductory question. The supply chain challenges in the construction sector have been quite high profile, so people are aware of the challenges around labour shortages and the supply of goods and materials. Can you give us an overview of the challenges that the sector has faced, when those challenges started and what the reasons are for them? Maybe you could also refer to what you think the economic impact of that has been for Scotland. That question goes first to Gordon Banks.

Has that had an impact on the employment of workers in your sector? For your business, have people had to go, as it were?

That is helpful.

I am sorry to interject, but we have to finish by half 11. It is unfortunate that you have been the third witness to speak, Bill—you have been a very good witness, so I am sorry to, again, ask you to be brief.

I will bring in Jamie Halcro Johnston.