Tory MSP Adam Tomkins asks about the section of the bill referring to exit day, noting it does not align with the setting of exit day in the EU Withdrawal Bill.

Michael Clancy of the Law Society of Scotland agrees section 28 of the Continuity Bill seems to give Scottish ministers the power to define exit day.

Professor McHarg says exit day in this bill refers to the provision for when specific ministerial powers apply rather than Scotland's relationship with the EU.

Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political reporter

Scottish ministers have published a "continuity bill" as the latest feature of their ongoing row with the UK government over post-Brexit powers.

What is the continuity bill, how would it work, and what might happen next?

Image source, BBC/Scottish government/ PA

What's the background to this row?

At present, there are a whole raft of powers which are technically devolved, but which are exercised from Brussels as they fall into EU-wide frameworks for issues like agriculture and fisheries.

When the UK leaves the EU, these powers will be coming back from Brussels - and the Holyrood and Westminster governments are at loggerheads over how this will happen.

First there was a row over where the powers would go in the first instance, before some are incorporated into UK-wide frameworks and others are just left with the devolved administrations.

The latest offer from UK ministers is that "the presumption would now be that powers returning from the EU should sit at a devolved level".

Now, the dispute centres on how common frameworks are set up and administered. Scottish ministers aren't opposed to having these frameworks, but want them to be agreed mutually.

The continuity bill has been introduced at Holyrood, external as a stop-gap solution if MSPs do not consent to the UK EU Withdrawal Bill.

Read more here on the background and future of the continuity bill.

Image source, bbc

Professor Alan Page from the University of Dundee says he finds it difficult not to regard whether the continuity bill is compatible with EU law as somewhat of a red herring.

Prof Page says: "It's a nice argument but I dont think it takes us much further forward in terms of the two governments."

Committee convener Bruce Crawford kicks off with a question on legislative competence.

Professor Aileen McHarg notes the Lord Advocate's argument that since the Continuity Bill covers the time when Scotland is no longer bound by EU law, it is not exercising law outside of its competence.

She confirms she agrees with this interpretation.

Prof McHarg suggests that if it is outwith Holyrood's competence to legislate for after Brexit before exit day, then the EU Withdrawal Bill is also outside the competence of Westminster.

Image source, bbc

Finance and Constitution Committee convener Bruce Crawford introduces:

• Michael Clancy from the Law Society of Scotland, external
• Dr Kirsty Hughes from the Scottish Centre on European Relations, external
• Professor Aileen McHarg from the University of Strathclyde, external
• Professor Alan Page from the University of Dundee, external

Image source, BBC/PA/Reuters/Thinkstock

The Finance and Constituion Committee will now take evidence on the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Legal Continuity) (Scotland) Bill, more colloquially known as the continuity bill.

MSPs will begin by taking evidence from:

• Michael Clancy from the Law Society of Scotland, external
• Dr Kirsty Hughes from the Scottish Centre on European Relations, external
• Professor Aileen McHarg from the University of Strathclyde, external
• Professor Alan Page from the University of Dundee, external

Image source, PA

MSPs will then quiz the ubiquitous Brexit Minister Mike Russell.

Image source, Scottish Parliament/AFP

Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live on Wednesday 7 March 2018.

First up the Finance and Constitution Committee take evidence on the EU Continuity Bill from academics.

After this, Brexit Minister Mike Russell will discuss the emergency legislation.

Education and skills ministers face questions from 1.30pm.

The Stage 1 debate on the Brexit continuity bill kicks off at 2.10pm

Image source, Scottish Parliament/AFP/BBC

SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson’s member’s debate focuses on electronic and internet voting.