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Committee visits Edinburgh for Brexit: devolution inquiry

30 January 2017

The European Union Committee undertakes a visit to Edinburgh on 1 February 2017 for its inquiry on the impact of Brexit on the devolution settlement.

Witnesses

On 1 February, the Committee will hear evidence from:

At 8.15am

  • Professor Adam Tomkins MSP, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

At 9.30am

  • Professor Christina Boswell, University of Edinburgh, Professor Graeme Roy, University of Strathclyde, Dr Tobias Lock, University of Edinburgh

At 11.00am

  • Professor Nicola McEwan, University of Edinburgh, Professor Jim Gallagher, University of Glasgow and Nuffield College Oxford and Professor Alan Page, University of Dundee

At 1.15pm 

  • Michael Russell MSP, Minister for UK negotiations on Scotland's place in Europe, Scottish Government

At 3.30pm

  • Scott Walker, CEO, NFU Scotland, Councillor David O'Neill, President, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, Josh Hardie, Deputy Director-General for policy and campaigns, CBI and Professor Anton Muscatelli, Principal, University of Glasgow

Although it is not possible to webcast these meetings, transcripts for all sessions will be available on the website the following week.

Issues

  • What are the political, economic and legal implications for the devolved nations and regions of the UK of the Brexit model the UK Government is pursuing?
  • Is it possible to respect the referendum result while at the same taking into account the divergent views of voters across the constituent parts of the UK?
  • Both from the point of view of the UK and other EU Member States, is it possible for the nations and regions of the UK to have a differentiated future relationship with the EU, or is a consistent approach across the UK the only viable solution?
  • Which EU competences should be transferred to the devolved administrations after Brexit, and how and when should such powers be transferred? Should any powers currently reserved to the UK Government be devolved as a consequence of Brexit?
  • What steps need to be taken to ensure that the devolved institutions have sufficient capacity and resource to take on such additional responsibilities?
  • How should the UK Government take into account and reflect the interests of the devolved institutions, including through the Joint Ministerial Committee on EU Negotiations?
  • Are existing mechanisms for interparliamentary dialogue between Westminster and the devolved legislatures sufficient to deal with the challenge of Brexit? If not, what new structures are needed?
  • What are the current mechanisms for direct engagement between the devolved administrations and the EU? How these will be affected by Brexit?

Further information

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