Summary

  • The UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Legal Continuity)(Scotland) Bill passes Stage 2, after 231 amendments are debated

  • Scottish Labour leads a debate on procurement

  1. That ends Stage 2 of the EU Continuity Bill - thanks to all!published at 21:08 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March 2018

    Praise for Bruce Crawford and the officials from MSPsImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Praise for Bruce Crawford and the officials from MSPs

    MSPs can see the light at the end of the tunnel and it's turning a wee bit like the Oscars with thank you speeches abounding.

    There's warm praise for Committee covnener Bruce Crawford from all quarters.

    Brexit Minister Mike Russell praises the "inspirational" convenership of Mr Crawford and the excellent work of all the parlaimentary officials.

    BrexitImage source, BBC/Getty Images/BBC

    Mr Russell also thanks all who are watching this committee and that my friends is YOU! Take a bow.

    He says he will accept the ammendments from Jamie Greene and Liam Kerr, in a spirit of generosity.

    The amendments are agreed to and Mr Crawford adds his thanks to all, especially the committee clerks.

    Don't worry it is not over yet, join us for extensive coverage of Stage 3 of the EU Continuity Bill.

  2. Postpublished at 21:08 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March 2018

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  3. We move to the review and repeal of the Act - the final hurdlepublished at 20:39 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March 2018

    Final amendmentsImage source, SP
    Image caption,

    Final amendments

    Tory MSP Jamie Greene says it is apt that at the final hurdle of Stage 2 we are discussing the review and repeal of the Act.

    Mr Greene says his amendment 227 calls for a review.

    SNP MSP Emma Harper thanks the convener for his earlier birthday wishes.

    Ms Harper says the amendment is reasonable and will make the current bill more open and aid scrutiny.

    Happy Birthday SNP MSP Emma Harper!Image source, bbc
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    Happy Birthday SNP MSP Emma Harper!

  4. Amendments must be moved and voted on individually, sadly....published at 20:30 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March 2018

    Bruce CrawfordImage source, bbc

    Tory MSP Adam Tomkins asks if we can move and vote on amendments 215 to 225 on block....please?

    Nope, the officals tell Bruce Crawford that is not possible, so on we go.

    A series of amendments are rejected.

  5. Lib Dem, Green and Tory amendments agreed topublished at 20:26 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March 2018

    Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott sees his amendments 56 and 57 agreed to, while Green MSP Ross Greer sees his amendment 211 agreed to.

    212 from Tory MSP Liam Kerr is also agreed to.

  6. MSPs speak to amendments in relation to scrutiny of regulations.published at 20:25 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March 2018

    Mr RussellImage source, bbc

    MSPs speak to amendemnts in relation to scrutiny of regulations in urgent cases.

    Tory MSP Adam Tomkins confesses he thinks he has tabled amendment 213 in error, so that's one less to worry about.

    The minister says he is gald he did not accept amendment 213 as that would have been embarrassing.

    Mr Russell urges Ross Greer to withdraw his amendment as three days is simply impossible in terms of urgent cases.

    He also calls on Jamie Greene to withdraw his amendment.

    The minister has a concilliatory tone in relation to the other amendments.

  7. Tory amendment agreed topublished at 20:14 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March 2018

    Amendment 206 in the name of Liam Kerr is agreed to, with 6 for and five against, changing 'appropraite' to 'necessary'.

  8. Postpublished at 20:11 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March 2018

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  9. At last.....unanimous agreement on an amendmentpublished at 20:10 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March 2018

    AmendmentImage source, SP

    Amendment 55 is agreed to!

  10. A series of amendments are rejected..........published at 20:09 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March 2018

    chamberImage source, bbc
  11. Postpublished at 20:01 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March 2018

    Quote Message

    These amendments look as if they have been done between the soup and the fish."

    Mike Russell, Brexit Minister

  12. Another Tory amendment, this time on financial accountabilitypublished at 20:00 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March 2018

    AmendmentImage source, SP amendment
  13. Background: Regulatory alignment but no leader alignment yet!published at 19:56 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March 2018

    The most contentious section of the Bill is one which would give ministers the power to "keep pace" with EU laws post-Brexit, to stay in line with European regulations even after the UK leaves the EU.

    These powers are not included in the Westminster Bill, and because the powers would be conferred on ministers rather than Holyrood itself opposition members have hit out at them as a "ministerial seizure" and a "power grab".

    Mr Russell accepted that this was the "most controversial section of the bill", and said the "special powers" should be limited in scope.

    Theresa May and Nicola SturgeonImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Deal or no deal? Well no deal ..............yet

    However, Mr Russell argued that it would be"absolutely vital" to maintain regulatory alignment with the EU post-Brexit, particularly in areas like environmental protection - something he said he was "absolutely determined" would not be watered down.

    The Bill originally provided for the controversial powers to be available for up to 15 years - a five-year initial period followed by two possible extensions of the same length.

    Mr Russell offered to strip this back by several years, but MSPs ultimately voted to go even further - to a three-year initial period followed by two possible one-year extensions.

    This section of the Bill ultimately passed, under protest from Conservative members - as did all 13 of the sections debated so far.

  14. Tory MSP speaks to his fiscal framework protection amendmentpublished at 19:54 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March 2018

    AmendmentImage source, SP
  15. Postpublished at 19:54 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March 2018

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  16. Both amendments from this group rejectedpublished at 19:51 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March 2018

    Mike RussellImage source, bbc

    Brexit Minister Mike Russell says the Continuity Bill section 17 does not prevent UK ministers from doing anything.

    Mr Russell insists it is entirely within the competence of the Scottish Parliament.

    He says he can't accept either the Tory or Green amendment, which he concedes may well lead to defeat.

    The minister says the government has considered carefully whether parliamentary consent is required for these regulations.

    He says he does not agree with Mr Greer's amendment and says work is ongoing on the protocol for parliamentary scrutiny.

    Tory MSP Jamie Greene says this seems like a 'power grab' by the minister, first appearance of that phrase I think tonight.

    His amendment is rejected.

    Mr Greer's amendement changing ministerial scrutiny to parliamentary scrutiny by replacing 'ministers' with 'the Scottish Parliament' is rejected as the Tories vote with the SNP.

  17. We now move to amendments relating to consent to certain UK instrumentspublished at 19:44 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March 2018

    Green MSP Ross GreerImage source, bbc

    Tory MSPJamie Greene says his amendment 197,to remove the section relating to Scottish ministers being able to block subordinate legislation, may seem quite drastic, but says it is a probing amendment seeking clarity from the minister.

    Green MSP Ross Greer says his amendment 198 would require the consent of the parliament and not just ministers.

  18. Background: How have we got here?published at 19:43 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March 2018

    The UK government and the devolved administrations in Edinburgh and Cardiff are at loggerheads over how powers currently exercised from Brussels are divided up when the UK leaves the EU in March 2019.

    All sides have agreed that some devolved powers should be integrated into UK-wide frameworks, but there remains division over how these should be overseen.

    UK ministers want to have the final say over powers in 24 areas which they see as being particularly important, whereas the devolved administrations want their explicit consent to be sought when changes are made in these areas.

    There is still no deal so on we plough!Image source, PA/Getty Images BBC
    Image caption,

    There is still no deal so on we plough!

    The Scottish and Welsh parliaments are now consideringemergency legislation of their own, as a stop-gap measure should they ultimately not give consent to the EU Withdrawal Bill.

    The general principles of the Holyrood bill were backed by all parties apart from the Conservatives, and MSPs are now examining 231 proposed amendments in what has already been a record-breaking committee session.

    The finance committee sat until 10.45pm night and resumed at 8am this morning, with a third meeting set to begin at shortly to settle the last 76 proposed changes.

    There has been dispute over the volume of amendments, with Green MSP Patrick Harvie claiming some were "mischievous" or "wrecking" amendments designed to hold up or derail the bill - a view echoed by a Scottish government spokesman, who said some of them are a lot less serious than others".

    However Scottish Brexit minister Mike Russell said the bill "can be improved", and said he would "consider all suggestions".

  19. Meanwhile elseewhere at Holyrood.........published at 19:42 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March 2018

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  20. No need for the minister to 'go to the stake' as plural amendment agreed topublished at 19:38 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March 2018

    Tory MSP Jamie GreeneImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Tory MSP Jamie Greene

    Tory MSP Jamie Greene says he is very disappointed with the minister's simplistic of the Bill.

    His amendments are not agreed to.

    Mr Lockhart's amendemnt is unanimously agreed to!

    Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott's turn now: "Given the certainty of defeat, not moved."