Minutes: 06 March 2024

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 4 and 5 in private. 

2. Consideration of continued petitions:

The Committee considered the following continued petition— 

PE2035: Recognise legal control of generalist predators as a conservation act, taking evidence from—

Alex Hogg, Petitioner

The Committee agreed to consider the evidence heard at a future meeting.

And then considered— 

PE1900: Access to prescribed medication for detainees in police custody. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy.

PE1947: Address Scotland's culture of youth violence. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Victims and Community Safety. 

PE1952: Specialist services for patients with autonomic dysfunction. 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 Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Transport Scotland. 

PE1979: Establish an independent inquiry and an independent national whistleblowing officer to investigate concerns about the alleged mishandling of child safeguarding enquiries by public bodies. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise, Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO), and the Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland. 

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

PE2012: Remove need for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) blood tests before prescribing Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). The Committee agreed to write to the British Menopause Society, and NHS Education for Scotland.

PE2014: Revert to the appeals system used in 2022 for SQA exams. The Commitee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

3. Consideration of new petitions:

The Committee considered the following new petitions— 

PE2056: Introduce legislation allowing Scottish Ministers to intervene on the hire of public land. The Committee agreed to write to COSLA, Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE Scotland), Event Scotland, the Scottish Tourism Alliance, and the Scottish Showmen’s Guild. 

PE2064: Ensure that under 16s charged with rape are treated as adults in the criminal justice system. The Committee agreed to write to the Lord Advocate and to make reference to the issues raised in the petition as part of its letter to the Minister for Community Safety on petition PE1947. 

PE2065: Improve and prioritise pedestrian safety. The Committee agreed to write to Transport Scotland and COSLA.

PE2069: Ensure accuracy of statements informing Child Welfare Reports. The Committee agreed to close petition under rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

4. Decision on publication of submission:

The Committee agreed to accept an anonymous written submission for petition PE1979: Establish an independent inquiry and an independent national whistleblowing officer to investigate concerns about the alleged mishandling of child safeguarding enquiries by public bodies. The Committee noted its policy on unsolicited submissions, specifically that it will only accept unsolicited submissions on this and other petitions in exceptional circumstances and reflected on the body of evidence they have already gathered.

5. Consideration of Evidence:

The Committee considered the evidence it heard under agenda item 2.