This is my first time before the committee and I welcome the opportunity to engage with members. I look forward to working with you over the coming months.
The committee has a pivotal role in scrutinising the delegated powers that ministers and others are given through new acts and existing powers. I suspect that, at times, that can be a technical and laborious role, but it is an essential one. I commend the committee on the rigour that it brings to the task. I say that both as a minister and as someone who, until recently, was convener of a committee whose work was greatly aided by that of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee.
In general, the standard of legislation introduced by the Government is high. However, I fully accept that there may be exceptions to that. I offer an assurance that I will always seek improvements in performance in that area and reflect any issues highlighted by the committee and others.
Brexit clearly looms large in the challenges that are coming down the track. Although the full legislative implications remain unclear, we can be certain that Brexit will require even better planning, quality assurance and explanation of the Government’s Scottish statutory instrument programme. That is a challenge that Mr Russell and I are tackling jointly with officials.
I will leave it there convener, as I am sure that the committee has several questions for me.