One Off Evidence Sessions
Enterprise and Skills Strategic Board
At its meeting on 10 March 2020, the Committee took evidence from Nora Senior, Chair, Scott McLarty, Vice Chair, Enterprise and Skills Strategic Board, and Richard Murray, Interim Head of the Analytical Unit, Scottish Government.
Preparedness for UK departure from the EU
On 19 September the Committee wrote to the Scottish Government to invite the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work and the Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands to a Committee regarding the preparations being made by the Scottish Government for a no deal exit from the EU.
The Cabinet Secretary responded on 26 September. Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands responded on 27 September.
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work gave evidence to the Committee on 1 October and provided additional evidence on 8 October.
On 19 and 20 September the Committee wrote to the UK Government to invite a Cabinet Office Minister and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Exiting the European Union to a Committee meeting regarding preparations that the UK Government is putting in place for a no-deal Brexit. the Under Secretary of State declined by email. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster wrote to the Committee to decline the invitation.
On 25 September the Convener wrote to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and industrial Strategy regarding the preparations that the UK Government is putting in place for a no-deal Brexit. The Secretary of State declined by email.
Scottish Law Commission
On 1 April 2019, the Convener wrote to Lady Paton, Chair of the Scottish Law Commission to congratulate her on her recent appointment. The Convener sought a meeting with Lady Paton regarding trust law and moveable transactions.
On 13 June the Convener met Lady Paton (Chair), Dr Andrew Steven (Commissioner) and Malcolm McMillan (Chief Executive).
On 2 July the Convener wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work seeking an update on the Draft Movable Transactions (Scotland) Bill, and the Trust (Scotland) Bill. The Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans responded on 26 July.
The Committee held a one off evidence session on Tuesday 26 November 2019. The Committee heard from:
- Dr Andrew Steven, former Scottish Law Commissioner;
- Dr Ross Anderson, Advocate;
- Professor George Gretton, Emeritus Lord President Reid Professor of Law, University of Edinburgh and former Scottish Law Commissioner;
- Bruce Wood CVO, Consultant, Morton Fraser Lawyers, Solicitors;
- Dr Hamish Patrick, Head of Financial Sector, Shepherd and Wedderburn, Solicitors
On 3 December, the Committee wrote to the Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans seeking an update on the Scottish Government's position. Graeme Dey, Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans replied on 12 December.
Kaiam UK Ltd
Neil Findlay MSP wrote to the Committee on 24 December 2018, urging the Committee to hold an inquiry following recent events at Kaiam UK Livingston.
The Committee received a written submission from James McGrane the owner of Clean Sweep.
On 14 January, the Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills wrote to the Committee:
At its meeting on 15 January, the Committee took evidence on the closure of Kaiam UK Ltd in Livingston. The Committee took evidence from Scottish Enterprise:
Neil Francis, Director Trade and Investment Operations Scotland
Elaine Morrison, Head of Partnerships
Jane Pollock, Team Leader Global Accounts
Michael Cannon, Head of Innovation and Enterprise Services
Official Report
On 29 January, Scottish Enterprise followed up on points raised during the meeting.
Registers of Scotland
At its meeting on 29 January 2019, the Committee took evidence from Jennifer Henderson, Keeper of the Registers of Scotland, and Janet Egdell, Operations Director and Accountable Officer from the Registers of Scotland.
On 8 February 2019, the Registers of Scotland wrote the Committee to follow up on points raised at the meeting.
On 27 March 2019, the Committee wrote to the Minister for Public Finance and Digital Economy and to The Keeper of the Registers of Scotland.
The Keeper responded on 2 April.
The Minister for Public Finance and Digital Economy responded on 12 April.
The Committee wrote to the Keeper on 28 June. The Keeper responded on 11 July.
On 10 December 2019 the Keeper wrote to the Committee to inform it that it had published its Corporate Business Plan update and its Quarter 2 Key Performance Indicator progress.
On 27 April the Committee wrote to the Keeper regarding Closure of the Application Record. The Keeper replied on 30 April. UK Finance wrote to the Committee on 10 June.
On 11 May the Keeper wrote to the Committee provided an update to the letter of 30 April.
On 21 May the Committee responded to the Keeper, who responded on 29 May. The Keeper followed up on 5 June.
On 22 May Janet Egdell, Accountable Officer wrote to the Committee regarding Registers of Scotland's projections for income and expenditure for 2020-21 and 2021-22.The Keeper wrote to the Committee on 9 June 2020.
On 16 June the Committee took evidence from Jennifer Henderson, Keeper of the Registers of Scotland, and Janet Egdell, Operations Director and Accountable Officer. Following the session, Jennifer wrote to the Committe with further information.
On 22 December Jennifer Henderson, Keeper of the Registers of Scotland wrote to the Committee to inform it of the launch of the Digital Submissions consultation.