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I do not think that we have asked the current First Minister about the petition, so we should get him involved. We could also write to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to see whether we can continue to keep the petition open.

I am happy with that.

Are you worried that something might come as a surprise?

Can we also write to the City of Edinburgh Council to see whether there is any concern about the issues that the petitioners have raised?

To establish whether there are any concerns for the council about the issue that the petitioner is raising. If we close the petition, that is the end of it, but if there are some concerns that are—

Good morning. The Scottish Government proposes to make changes to the national parks legislation in a bill that is due to be introduced later this parliamentary year. Does the fact that that process is running alongside your investigation create any challenges—for example, in enabling you to tell the community what a Galloway national park might look like?

The committee has heard some views that national parks lack the power to do things differently and that the model should be strengthened before new designations are made. What are your views on that? Will the legislative proposals make a significant difference to how national parks operate?

Thank you, convener. The Scottish Government has proposed to make changes to national park legislation in a bill that is due to come out later in this parliamentary year. What are the implications of that process running alongside the investigation of a new designation? Are stakeholders aware of the changes that are being proposed?

That was a very powerful statement by Tess White, and I think that we should invite the chief constable or Police Scotland to give evidence at a future meeting and keep the petition open.

Did I hear you say that you are not aware of the proposed changes? What should the Scottish Government do to get the stakeholders more involved when it is making any changes to legislation?