MSP McAlpine encourages local people to respond to Brexit enquiry

Posted on by
The impact on Scotland withdrawing from the EU is to be investigated by MSPs on the European and External Relations Committee.
 
The Committee is asking academics, organisations, individuals and businesses to give their views on the impact of the referendum result. They are also looking for what alternatives to EU membership may exist in order to explore all the possible options on the table. 
 
MSPs also want to probe the impact of Scotland leaving the EU on devolution.
 
South Scotland MSP Joan McAlpine, who also convenes the European and External Relations Committee said she is keen that local people’s voices are heard.
 
She said:
 
“The Committee has already heard fairly damning evidence about the impact of uncertainty on the economy, coupled with the complexity of the negotiations on the table for trade agreements which could take years to conclude.
 
“Our initial evidence-taking has only just scratched the surface of identifying the true impact on Scotland as a result of the Brexit. This is why the Committee has today asked for more views from across Scotland on how leaving the EU will impact upon them.
 
“Scotland is interconnected with the EU across a number of areas. From people, to investment, students, research and regional development funding to name a few. We need to understand both in the long and short term how Scotland will change as a result of this vote.
 
“More importantly when we hear from the Scottish and UK Ministers later on this year, we will put to them some of the initial views we have heard in order to seek to influence the long and lengthy negotiations that will now follow.
 
“I am really keen that local voices are heard throughout the process.”
 
The EERC’s is looking for views on the following issues:
  • Do you have any case studies which illustrate the impact that the vote to leave the UK is having in Scotland? (It would be helpful if you could describe the nature of your business and what impact the vote to leave the EU may have.)
  • What do you feel is the value of Scotland’s membership within the EU and what do you think Scotland’s relationship with the European Union should be in the future?
  • How best do you think Scotland can maintain its relationship with the EU as mandated by the recent vote in the Scottish Parliament?
  • What do you think are the alternatives to EU membership, and what do you believe are the implications of these alternatives for Scotland?
  • How do you think the withdrawal process might be managed from both a UK and EU level?
  • What steps do you think would be involved in this process and how do you think individual policy fields might be dealt with?
  • How much time do you feel would be required to deal with the negotiations?
  • How do you think the interests of Scotland and the other constituent parts of the UK can be represented in those negotiations and what role do you think the Scottish Government should have in those negotiations?
  • What positions do you think are likely to be taken by other Member States in the negotiations?
  • What do you think will be the implications for the devolution settlement of withdrawal from the EU?
  • What do you think the implications will be for UK and Scots law of a withdrawal from the EU, particularly the need to repeal legislation and prepare new legislation to fill the gaps left by EU legislation?
  • What do you feel will be the scale of the task the implications for the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament?
  • What do you think the impact will be on Scotland’s economy by terminating the support of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and access to the Horizon 2020 programme?
  • What do you think the implications will be for Scotland’s funding settlement of withdrawal from the EU?
  • What do you feel will be the position of EU citizens in Scotland in the event of a withdrawal from the EU?
  • To what extent do you think EU citizens in Scotland have acquired rights?
  • What do you think the contributions have been by EU citizens living in Scotland to the Scottish economy and culture?
 
The initial deadline for receipt of written submissions is Monday 5 September.
 
Contact:
 
Telephone enquiry line: 0800 092 7500 or 0131 348 5395 (Gàidhlig)
sp.info@parliament.scot” id=”yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471276968609_4764″>sp.info@parliament.scot
Text 07786 209 888
 
Background
The Committee will issue an interim report in August of the initial evidence they have heard so far but all the evidence gathered from this call for views will inform the Committee’s future work. 
 
Media information
Kirsty Rimmer: 0131 348 6085
Text Relay calls welcome
Kirsty.Rimmer@parliament.” id=”yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471276968609_4854″>Kirsty.Rimmer@parliament.scot
 
Committee information
Mark Johnson: 0131 348 5226
Text Relay calls welcome
Mark.Johnson@parliament.scot” id=”yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471276968609_4888″>Mark.Johnson@parliament.scot
 
Public information
 
 
You can also follow us on twitter @scotparl and to keep up to date with the Committee, @SP_Europe
 
Like us on Facebook for updates on news and events
 
Or find out more on YouTube