Minutes: 22 January 2025

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 4 in private. 

2. Consideration of continued petitions:

The Committee considered the following continued petitions:

PE1865: Suspend all surgical mesh and fixation devices. The Committee agreed to defer the petition to a future meeting of the Committee. 

PE1933: Allow the Fornethy Survivors to access Scotland’s redress scheme. The Committee confirmed its decision to seek a chamber debate on this petition.  It also agreed to write to the Deputy First Minister and the leader of Glasgow City Council.

PE2016: Raise awareness of Thrombosis in Scotland. 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.

PE2018: Recognise the value of swimming pools and provide financial relief to help keep pools open. The Committee agreed to hold a roundtable evidence session at a future meeting. The Committee also agreed to write to COSLA, Dundee City Council, and Inverclyde Council.

PE2068: Review and cap public sector senior management salaries. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders.

PE2070: Stop same-day-only GP appointment systems. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government.

PE2089: Stop More National Parks in Scotland. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, and Dumfries and Galloway Council.  

3. Consideration of new petitions:

The Committee considered the following new petitions:

PE2123: Update air quality standards in Scotland to align with 2021 World Health Organisation guidelines. The Committee agreed to refer the petition to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee.

PE2122: Pardon those who were accused and convicted of witchcraft in Scotland under the Witchcraft Act 1563. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

4. Consideration of Correspondence:

The Committee considered draft correspondence. The Committee agreed to write to the Parliamentary Bureau following the recent debate on the Inquiry into the A9 Dualling Programme. The Committee also agreed to finalise its letter on PE2089: Stop More National Parks in Scotland to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands by correspondence and to publish this item of correspondence on the petition webpage with arrangements for publication delegated to the Convener.