Image source, bbc

Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott says his amendment 27 seeks to compel Scottish ministers to confer with the other UK administrations when it seeks to keep pace with EU law.

If Scottish administrations sought to go ahead without agreement they would have to use primary legislation.

Image source, SP

Tory MSP Liam Kerr says changing the wording of the Bill to give ministers the power not to adopt EU law post-Brexit that would not be "operable" rather than not "appropriate" would lead to tighter controls.

"If something is not operable, it should not be ported in."

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Donald Cameron says his amendemnt relates to the so-called "keeping pace power", one of the most controversial in the EU Continuity Bill.

Mr Cameron says his amendment seeks to put two conditions on the use of executive power:

1. ensure regulations made must be subject to the Scotland Act to ensure they are compatible with the devolution settlement
2. put a condition that this paraliament gives its consent to the use of these powers

Image source, SP

The following amendments have been agreed without the support of the SNP: 17 and 126.

The following amendments were agreed unanimously: 130, 142 and 145.

The committee suspends for 10 minutes, for a well earned break!

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Dean Lockhart says the minister started positively saying he would back some amendments but then went on to deline most of them.

Mr Lockhart says it is disappointing that Mr Russell is not backing his amendments.

He says the powers given to ministers in section 11, 12 and 13 are excessive.

Brexit Minister Michael Russell again confirms he will accept some of the amendments in this grouping.

"In normal circumstances the Scottish government would not have sought powers of this breadth", he says.

"We've no desire to take powers any broader than is needed."

Michael Russell accepts Tavish Scott's amendments 24 and 26, agreeing public authorities should only be set up through primary legislation.

On creating offences, he says the powers are already constrained and urges members to reject amendments relating to this.

The minister accepts the Tory MSP amendments which remove the word "broadly" and also to remove the line on regulations not implementing the UK withdrawal agreement.

Tory MSP Gordon Lindhurst says the Bill as it currently stands means decisions by ministers will be subjective with regards to removing protections to be replaced with "broadly equivalent" protections.

He recommends the wording be changing to ensure any alternative regulations are "equivalent", not just "broadly equivalent".

Mr Lindhurst says: "If the minister was serious about statutory litter he would simply withdraw this Bill."

Withdrawing this proposed legislation would be the "ultimate tidying up exercise".

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Liam Kerr speaks to his colleague Graham Simpson's amendment 129 and his own amendment 130.

Mr Kerr says amendment 129 addresses concerns about a power grab by the executive.

On his own amendment, the Tory MSP says by removing the word "broadly" it ensures the existing level of protection.

His colleague Murdo Fraser says his amendment 144 is essentially a probing amendment.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene says his amendment seeks to be helpful to ministers.

He expresses concern about "overloading" public authorities by having them carry out functions which they do no currently deal with.

Mr Greene says he has some "anxiety" about the level of support that will be required to bring these over.

Image source, bbc

Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott says he does not want to see new quangos or criminal offences brought about by regulations.

Mr Scott says his amendments prevent the creation of a new public body through regulations.

Tory MSP Dean Lockhart begins with the next grouping, "sections 11, 12 and 13 powers: detailed scope of powers".

He highlights calls for clarity on the scope of powers to be conferred on Scottish ministers and concerns from academics about the lack of scrutiny.

A proverbial coach and horse is driven through limitations by special powers and these amendments seek to delete the overriding provision for ministers to use them, explains Mr Lockhart.

Another amendment will add additional safeguards where ministerial powers are used to remove or modify protections, the Tory MSP states.

Image source, SP

Amendments 124 was disagreed.

Amendments 10 and 16 were agreed unanimously.

Amendments 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 have passed without the support of the Scottish government as all opposition members of the committee backed it.

Image source, SP