Minutes: 17 May 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 4 in private.

2. Consideration of continued petitions:

The Committee considered petition PE1911: Review of Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006 as it relates to post-mortems, and took evidence by video-link from — 

Dr James Adeley, Senior Coroner, Lancashire 

Dr Simon Beardmore, Consultant Radiologist, Lancashire 

Ann Edwards, Coroner Services Manager, Lancashire and Blackburn with  Darwen Council 

Dr Mark Sissons, Consultant Pathologist, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 

and agreed to consider the evidence heard at a future meeting. The Committee also agreed to invite the relevant Minister to give evidence at a future meeting.  

The Committee also considered the following petitions: 

PE1916: Request a public inquiry into the management of the Rest and Be Thankful project. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Transport. 

PE1930: Ensure customers are always given information on cheapest possible fare in new Scotrail contract. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government and Scotrail.  

PE1952: Instruct Scotland’s NHS to form specialist services for patients with autonomic dysfunction. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government. 

PE1957: Home Reports – make surveyors more accountable. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government.  

PE1967: Protect Loch Lomond’s Atlantic oakwood shoreline by implementing the High Road option for the A82 upgrade between Tarbet and Inverarnan. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Transport. The Committee also agreed to consider options for a visit to the A82 upgrade site.          

3. Consideration of new petitions:

The Committee considered the following new petitions—

PE2009: Ensure fair access to Scottish universities for all residents in Scotland and the UK. The Committee agreed to write to Universities Scotland, individual universities in Scotland, the Scottish Government and the Commissioner for Fair Access.

PE2007: Increase allotment provision for all and entitle Universal Credit claimants to a free plot. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders.

PE2008: Provide funding for a separate mental health A&E for children. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government. 

4. Annual report:

The Committee considered and agreed a draft annual report for the parliamentary year from 13 May 2022 to 12 May 2023. It also agreed to delegate authority to the Convener to finalise the text and format of the report and related communications.