United Kingdom-European Union Talks

– in the Scottish Parliament at on 30 January 2020.

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Photo of Linda Fabiani Linda Fabiani Scottish National Party

4. To ask the Scottish Government what involvement it has in UK-EU talks. (S5O-04080)

Photo of Michael Russell Michael Russell Scottish National Party

At the start of the article 50 negotiations, the UK Government committed to involving the devolved Governments in the preparation of the UK’s negotiating position. However, it has failed to honour the terms of reference that it signed up to at the Joint Ministerial Committee (European Negotiations)—a point that I made clear at the previous JMC(EN) meeting, in Cardiff on Tuesday. Those terms of reference specifically say that the Governments of the UK should work collaboratively to agree objectives for the article 50 negotiations and that the devolved Governments alongside the UK Government should

“provide oversight of negotiations with the EU, to ensure, as far as possible, that outcomes agreed by all four governments are secured.”

In the past few days, we have received suggestions from the UK Government for a new set of arrangements, which we will look at on their merits. They lean heavily on proposals that I made at the January meeting. I will give more detail on that in my statement this afternoon.

Photo of Linda Fabiani Linda Fabiani Scottish National Party

I understand that the Crown protectorates, such as Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, already have, by their agreement, greater involvement than Scotland does. I am also aware that the UK Government has agreed to engage specifically with the Northern Ireland Executive on trading arrangements with the EU and support for businesses. Does the minister believe that it intends to extend that courtesy to Scotland?

Photo of Michael Russell Michael Russell Scottish National Party

There are two parts to that proposal. The first is the agreement of a structure in which there could be any meaningful involvement, and that would depend on a mutual recognition of mandates. The second part concerns whether the UK Government would observe the requirements of such a structure. There is a structure in place in the JMC(EN), but it has not been operated by the UK Government in the way to which it committed in writing.

I am open to a discussion on respective mandates, as I shall say in my statement this afternoon. I am open to a process being established, and we have put a proposal on the table, which is being discussed. However, it will depend on the UK Government doing what it says it will do, and, so far, that has not happened.