The Committee took evidence on the Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (Treatment of Consumer Scotland as Specified Authority) Order 2020 [draft] from Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills at its meeting on 25 February 2020. The Official Report will be available on the Committee's website.

The intention of this instrument is to enable the appointments of members to Consumer Scotland to be regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life.

The Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills wrote to the Committee on 27 January outlining the reasons why the board needs to be in place ahead of Consumer Scotland becoming operational.

The instrument will allow the appointment of a Chair by September 2020 who will be involved in the recruitment of the Chief Executive. It is the Scottish Government’s intention for Consumer Scotland to become fully operational in April 2021.

The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee considered the instrument at its meeting on 4 February 2020 and agreed that no points arose.

Following evidence, the Minister for Public Finance and Digital Economy moved motion S5M-20743—

That the Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee recommends that the Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (Treatment of Consumer Scotland as Specified Authority) Order 2020 [draft] be approved.

The motion was agreed to without debate or dissent.