The next item is consideration of the Executive's response to our report on the water framework directive. The Executive responded during the recess and the clerks have analysed the response and have made some observations. We now know that the Transport and the Environment Committee will be the lead committee for consideration of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Bill, but we did not know that when we prepared our report. The clerks have made several points, which begin on page 2 of the briefing paper. We could run through the Executive's response and the clerks' observations, if the committee is agreeable.
Much of the rest of the paper relates to ambiguity about river basin management. We took one interpretation of the number of competent authorities per river basin district, but the Executive took a different interpretation. The clerks have spent much time on the issue. They have examined the different language versions of the directive and have concluded that they are willing to accept the Executive's interpretation, although they can foresee difficulties with it. We should flag up the matter to the Transport and the Environment Committee. Do members agree to that course of action?
That brings our formal consideration of the water framework directive to a close. I am sure that we wish the Transport and the Environment Committee well in its consideration of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Bill.
On the point about our interpretation of having one competent authority per river basin district, has any thought been given to the cross-border cases? Some river basins straddle our border. Although that is a detailed technical matter, our colleagues on the lead committee will need to give it some thought.
The Transport and the Environment Committee will need to address that. We recognise that there are also major difficulties with the approach in other regions of Europe. We should highlight the issue in our letter to the Transport and the Environment Committee.
Leaving aside the cross-border issue, I believe that the idea of having overlapping authorities on the same river basin would be untidy. No doubt that issue will emerge during the Transport and the Environment Committee's consideration of the bill.
Do we agree to draw that point to the attention of the Transport and the Environment Committee in the letter that we send to it?