Minutes: 17 April 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 petitions:

PE1975: Reform the law relating to Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and heard evidence from— 

Roger Mullin, Petitioner

Professor Justin Borg-Barthet, Convenor, Anti-SLAPP Research Hub

Ahsan Mustafa, Civil Justice Committee, Law Society of Scotland

Graeme Johnston, Scotland Anti-SLAPP sub-working group, UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition

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

and then considered— 

PE1812: Protect Scotland's remaining ancient, native and semi-native woodlands and woodland floors. Fergus Ewing declared and interest as the convenor of the Cross-Party Group on Wood Panel Industry. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, and the Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor). It also agreed to add the petition to the shortlist of possible subjects for the Committee to request a parliamentary debate on. 

PE1926: Expand universal free school meals for all nursery, primary and secondary school pupils. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills. 

PE1933: Allow the Fornethy Survivors to access Scotland's Redress Scheme. The Committee agreed to invite Redress Scotland to give evidence at a future meeting. It also agreed to write to John Swinney MSP, the Law Society of Scotland, and Thompsons Solicitors. It also agreed to add the petition to the shortlist of possible subjects for the Committee to request a parliamentary debate on. 

PE1956: Increase the provision of wheelchair accessible homes. The Committee agreed to close the petition under rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE2017: Extend the period that specialist perinatal mental health support is made available beyond one year. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport. 

PE2033: Introduce a full ban on disposable vapes. The Committee agreed to keep the petition open until The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 come into force.  

PE2035: Recognise legal control of generalist predators as a conservation act. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity.      

3. Consideration of new petitions:

The Committee considered the following new petitions:

PE2066 Treat vapes and e-cigarettes like cigarettes and tobacco. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE2071: Take action to protect people from airborne infections in health and social care settings. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government, the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of Physicians, Scottish Care, ALLIANCE Scotland and the Care Inspectorate.

PE2072: Offer covid-19 vaccine boosters to teachers and school staff. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders.

PE2073: Ensure accurate information is used when issuing court summons. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, and Police Scotland. 

4. Consideration of Evidence:

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

5. Update on public participation:

The Committee considered an update on public participation work.