Mr Tomkins asks what are the other issues which are forthcoming.

Mr Davidson replies all 24 areas have benefited from stand alone sessions.

Our ambition is that we conclude phase 2 as soon as possible, he adds.

Image source, bbc

Committee convener Bruce Crawford asks, if there are 12 areas that need to be discussed to allow the internal market to operate successfully, how will the internal market operate if there is no deal.

"That's a good question I have no answer to it, the UK government has no answer to it."

We may be in a position that the UK government may have to impose and we would not cooperate with that, he adds.

Mr Tomkins asks about the standalone sessions and whether the Scottish government has accepted there are areas which will require a common framework.

The standalone sessions covered:

• Animal Health and Welfare
• Chemicals and Pesticides
• Plant Health, Seeds and Propagating Material
• Food and Feed Hygiene and Safety Law
• Nutrition Health Claims, Composition and Labelling
• Public Procurement
• Fertiliser Regulations

Ian Davidson from the Scottish government explains that within each of these areas there are aspects of policy where there may be UK internal market considerations.

There is a general degree of anxiety about what arrangements would be on leaving the EU he says, emphasising there needs to be certainty that the administrations will cooperate with one another.

Many areas remain in dispute and discussions are ongoing about where responsibility around consistency lies, he adds.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins asks what the Scottish government's understanding is of the meaning of the functioning of the UK internal market.

Mr Russell says if there is an issue between the two governments ti would be whether a new internal market changed the way devolution worked.

The devolved settlement allows for divergence and the internal market would not overrule that he adds.

Image source, PA

The UK government has published its assessment of the impact of a no-deal Brexit on business and trade.

The report, external said "some food prices are likely to increase" and customs checks could cost business £13bn a year in a no-deal scenario.

It also said there was "little evidence that businesses are preparing in earnest".

But the government said it had undertaken "significant action" to prepare for no deal on 29 March.

Read more here.

Committee convener Bruce Crawford notes the recent report said there had been significant progress.

But what would a no deal scenario mean for common frameworks, he asks.

Mr Russell says the entire machinery of government at Whitehall has been captured by preparing for no deal.

"This issue will not re-emerge as an issue for proper attention unless and until there is a agreement on a orderly departure or until Article 50 has been suspended or preferably revoked."

Image source, bbc

Mr Russell says it was never the intention that frameworks would be in place by exit day.

There remain discreet longer term items to be put in place post-Brexit he adds.

If there is an implementation period with a deal, then work will continue on the frameworks for the entire period, he insists.

The minister says: "We remain opposed to Section 12."

However the UK government does not want to move on this, which he welcomes as he says it should be repealed.

Image source, PA

"Significant joint progress" has been made on future common frameworks according to a progress report, external on the European Union (Withdrawal) Act.

Outline frameworks have continued to be developed on 24 priority areas where frameworks are likely to require legislative elements.

The report said there has been "a high degree of consensus about potential scope of frameworks", with the Scottish and Welsh government's continuing their commitment "not to pursue policy divergence in areas where frameworks discussions are ongoing".

Brexit Secretary Michael Russell says the public interest in common frameworks has declined in the four months since he last appeared before the committee.

He attributes this to the increasing possibility of leaving the EU without a deal.

Frameworks are not a policy objective of the Scottish government, they were an unfortunate necessity because of where we were he says.

Mr Russell confirms there have been several rounds of policy discussions focused on 24 areas.

But he says that now it seems like a much smaller number of areas will require a UK wide framework.

Image source, bbc

The committee is hearing from:

• Brexit Secretary Mike Russell
• Gill Glass from the Scottish government
• Ian Davidson, also from the Scottish government

Image source, PA

The Finance and Constitution Committee will begin shortly.

Brexit Secretary Michael Russell is once again giving evidence on efforts to develop UK common frameworks.

Read the papers here., external

And read more about the inquiry here., external

Image source, PA

Welcome to Holyrood Live on Wednesday 27 February 2019.

The Brexit secretary appears before the finance committee this morning to discuss UK common frameworks.

Local government and social security ministers face portfolio questions after lunch.

Image source, SPL/BBC

Then Scottish Labour has the floor, bringing forward debates on carer's allowance and then sentencing guidelines.

Finally, SNP MSP Emma Harper leads a member's business on eating disorders awareness week.