Hansard

The Convener SNP

Agenda item 2 is an evidence-taking session on article 50 negotiations on international trade. This morning, we will take evidence from Ivan McKee, the Minis...

The Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation (Ivan McKee) SNP

I would be delighted to, convener. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for inviting me along this morning. The committee’s inquiry into the negotiation of...

The Convener SNP

Thank you very much. As you indicated at the beginning of your remarks, the committee has taken a considerable amount of evidence from international trade ex...

Ivan McKee SNP

You are right. The discussion paper that we produced in August 2018 covered our view on the issue in depth. We looked at some examples, and we argued that in...

The Convener SNP

What has been your input in relation to the rollover deals? We call them rollover deals, but, as you know, they often differ considerably from the deals that...

Ivan McKee SNP

Other than the fact that we periodically get an update on where the UK Government is with the process, our input is fairly limited, which is not great. I was...

The Convener SNP

Has the UK Government point blank refused to consider Scotland’s early engagement? You say that you have not yet been able to reach an agreement, but has the...

Ivan McKee SNP

To be fair, there will be discussions at the official level, so Reuben Aitken might want to comment on that. George Hollingbery understands that it makes sen...

Reuben Aitken (Scottish Government)

I agree whole-heartedly with what has been said. The issue that we face is that the narrative about wanting to involve us is often quite good; in practice, h...

The Convener SNP

I take it that you are referring to the decision to liberalise or drop tariffs in certain areas in the event of a no-deal Brexit. I think that the committee ...

Ivan McKee SNP

You ask about our input into those decisions. I remember the night fairly well, as I was out at dinner with representatives of a group of technology business...

The Convener SNP

In an ideal world, if things changed and you got the early engagement that you and the experts say is needed, how ready is the Scottish Government to provide...

Ivan McKee SNP

Yes, I think that we have. We have set up a new directorate in the Scottish Government—I believe that it now has 70 people—that will look at international tr...

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab

I will ask a bit more about capacity issues. A couple of weeks ago, we took evidence from trade negotiators who demonstrated huge experience and expertise an...

Ivan McKee SNP

You are right that there is huge complexity around trade negotiations. It is about lining up our offensive and defensive positions and understanding the wide...

Claire Baker Lab

You mentioned that a concordat is being developed and you said that it would be around how the process would operate and how the two Governments would co-ope...

Ivan McKee SNP

Yes, and it is important to recognise that it is not just Scotland—all the devolved Administrations are involved in the process. You are right—the detail of...

Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (Con) Con

I take on board what you are saying with great interest, and you make some very valid points. If all the negotiators are singing from the same hymn sheet it ...

Ivan McKee SNP

As you say, what is important is how you approach the negotiation and the intent that is there. Certainly, if we end up in a position in which we are having ...

Jamie Greene Con

In an ideal world, that is the case. You have hit the nail on the head: if there is an established protocol by which dispute resolution can be achieved withi...

Ivan McKee SNP

I am not aware of the evidence that you are talking about, but that is interesting. If that is the case, that would point to the EU having negotiated a bette...

Jamie Greene Con

Different parts of the UK will have different markets and strengths. For example, one region might have a seafood industry or a dairy industry that is strong...

Ivan McKee SNP

At that level, it is about understanding clearly where our interests are. You highlighted some of them. As I said, the Scottish Government has put the capaci...

Jamie Greene Con

Thank you. That is very helpful.

Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP

Towards the end of the process, when the treaties are concluded, what type of activity will the Scottish Government look for to monitor the impact of any tra...

Ivan McKee SNP

The process is new to us, as are the discussions with the UK Government on how that will work. At that stage, as from the beginning and as we move through th...

Stuart McMillan SNP

Have you had any discussions with the UK Government on that type of activity, or will you approach it closer to the time?

Ivan McKee SNP

At the moment, we are keen to talk about all of it as much as we can. The discussion paper talks to all stages of the process. As I said, the issue is bringi...

Stuart McMillan SNP

On the aspect of the engagement with the Scottish Parliament, we have similar discussions around the secondary legislation in the Delegated Powers and Law Re...

Ivan McKee SNP

We want to engage, involve and consult as much as possible because we think that that brings strength to the process. The Government is happy to provide info...