1. Declaration of interests:

Jeremy Balfour indicated that he had no relevant interests to declare.

2. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 6, 7, 8 and 9 in private.

Tim Eagle declared an interest, in connection with item 6, the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill, in that he is a farmer and has received support payments.

3. Instruments subject to affirmative procedure:

The Committee agreed that no points arose on the following—

Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-term Lets) Amendment Order 2024 (SSI 2024/Draft)
Companies Act 2006 (Scottish public sector companies to be audited by the Auditor General for Scotland) Order 2024 (SSI 2024/Draft)

4. Instruments subject to negative procedure:

The Committee agreed that no points arose on the following—

Food Additives and Novel Foods (Authorisations and Miscellaneous Amendments) and Food Flavourings (Removal of Authorisations) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 (SSI 2024/156)

5. Instruments not subject to any parliamentary procedure:

The Committee agreed that no points arose on the following—

Act of Sederunt (Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers Rules) (Amendment) 2024 (SSI 2024/157)
Act of Adjournal (Criminal Procedure Rules 1996 Amendment) (Mutual Legal Assistance) 2024 (SSI 2024/159)

6. Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill (in private):

The Committee considered the delegated powers provisions in this Bill after Stage 2 agreed to report to the Parliament.

7. Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill (in private):

The Committee considered the delegated powers provisions in this Bill after Stage 2 agreed to report to the Parliament.

8. Expedited Affirmative procedure (in private):

The Committee considered and agreed in principle a process for requesting expedition of certain affirmative instruments, pending views from the Convener's Group. 

9. Judicial Factors (Scotland) Bill (in private):

The Committee considered and agreed a draft Stage 1 report. It also delegated responsibility to the Convener for finalising its publication.