Hansard

Under agenda item 2, the committee will take evidence on the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Meetings of Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations) (Coronavirus) (No 2) Regulations 2020, which is a made affirmative instrument. I welcome Aileen Campbell, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government. I also welcome from the Scottish Government Caroline Monk, senior policy officer, and Jamie MacQueen, legal directorate lead for this Scottish statutory instrument. Following the evidence session, the committee will be invited under item 3 to consider the motion to approve the instrument. I remind everyone that Scottish Government officials can speak under this item but not in the debate that follows. Before we proceed, there are two corrections to points in the clerk’s paper. Both are at paragraph 10 of the paper. First, we understand that the instrument came into force on 30 December, and not immediately on being laid. Secondly, the Parliament has 40 days—not 28 days—to decide whether to approve the instrument. The instrument is currently in force, but it requires parliamentary approval to remain in force. I Invite the cabinet secretary to make a short opening statement.