I replied to the Secretaries of State on 27 July to make clear that the role of the Scottish Parliament in scrutinising consent decisions needs to be acknowledged and the only way they can ensure the commitment in their 17 May letter above is adhered to is to ensure that the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament be given a minimum 8-week window to respond to consent requests (except in exceptional circumstances). It is deeply regrettable Scottish Ministers, special advisers and the Permanent Secretary are covered by the terms of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016.