Seòmar agus comataidhean

Thank you. I apologise to Jamie Halcro Johnston for changing his name and his political allegiance earlier. Jamie Halcro Johnston will be followed by Colin Smyth.

Mr Beattie, would you like to hear from Ms Gray?

Yes—if it is brief.

Thank you very much, cabinet secretary. I thank you and your officials for your attendance. We hope to see you back in the Parliament soon.

Under agenda item 3 we will consider a legislative consent memorandum on the Professional Qualifications Bill. This United Kingdom Government bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 12 May and changes the law on devolved matters. I welcome Ivan McKee, Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise. He is joined by David Maclennan, who is a solicitor, and Richard Shearer, head of services, trade policy, both at the Scottish Government. I invite the minister to make a brief statement on the Scottish Government’s position and then we will move to questions

Thank you, minister. As this is the first time that we have had you present in person before the committee, we welcome your joining us here this morning.

You have outlined the reasons why the Government is not prepared to lodge a consent motion at the moment. If an amendment to the bill were to be accepted and the issue were resolved, would you be satisfied with the proposals in the bill? Would it resolve the issues that we have with recognising qualifications?

Thank you, Mr Beattie. I invite the cabinet secretary to make a brief opening statement.

Mr Gillespie, do you have anything to add about the consultation and the way in which people have been involved in the decisions that are being made? [Interruption.] I do not think that we have Mr Gillespie with us at the moment—that is one of the challenges of having remote witnesses. [Interruption.] No, he is here. Good morning, Mr Gillespie.

Yes, it is.

Thank you, cabinet secretary. I now hand over to Fiona Hyslop, who will be followed by Jamie Hepburn.