Seòmar agus comataidhean

The balanced conclusion is that we should close the petition for the reasons that Mr Torrance outlined. I think that the petitioner is in the gallery. In writing to him and closing the petition, we should highlight that it might be useful to lodge a fresh petition that includes the issues that we have discussed, which members could explore in a little more detail in the next parliamentary session. Do members agree with that?

Members indicated agreement.

What is the best course of action?

I think that that is the correct course of action. It is a big subject that requires much more exploration than we can give it. Are members content with that?

Members indicated agreement.

That concludes our meeting. Our next meeting will take place on Wednesday 11 March. I thank the petitioners and all those who have followed our proceedings.

Meeting closed at 11:03.

We are looking to keep the petition open in this instance. Are we content with that?

I understood it, and I think that colleagues are in agreement with the sentiment that has been expressed. Mr Torrance has proposed that this be one of the petitions that we add to our shortlist of petitions that the future committee can consider. Are we agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

PE2188, which was lodged by Clare Sparrow, calls on the Scottish Government to extend the national entitlement card scheme to include ferry travel for people aged 60 and over. The petition was last considered on 26 November, when we agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport.

The cabinet secretary’s response states that the Scottish Government provides significant funding to keep ferry fares low for everyone, including over 60s. Islander fares and funding of local authority ferries are also designed to allow frequent travel at a lower cost for islanders’ daily needs. The response highlights that eligible residents of Orkney’s outlying islands receive 24 free journeys per year for travel to mainland Orkney, and that older and disabled Shetland residents receive free or discounted interisland ferry travel.

The cabinet secretary states that the Scottish Government looked closely at ferry fares as part of the fair fares review and the islands connectivity plan. On 2 May, the Scottish Government published its strategic approach document, which confirmed that concessionary ferry travel will be extended only to under-22-year-olds. The cabinet secretary states that she understands the calls to include over-60s, but that the Government is not currently able to expand concessions further within current budgets.

Do members have any suggestions as to how we might proceed?

11:00

PE1900, which was lodged by Kevin John Lawson, calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to ensure that all detainees in police custody can access their prescribed medication, including methadone, in line with existing relevant operational procedures and guidance.

We last considered the petition on 14 January 2026, when we agreed to write to the Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport. The minister’s response to the committee confirmed that, in November, the Scottish Government sent a survey to health boards. The survey gathered information on controlled drug licences for custody suites and when licences are renewed; whether policies ensure that detainees can access all prescribed medication; whether adverse events, complaints and feedback are constantly recorded; where gaps exist; and what plans and timescales are in place to achieve full compliance.

The vast majority of boards hold the required controlled drug licences for police custody suites and have stable governance arrangements in place. Three health boards reported delays in licence renewals due to Home Office processing times. However, continuation letters or formal acknowledgements ensured that services could continue safely in the meantime.

The Government’s submission states that NHS Grampian patients on a methadone prescription that can be confirmed by their pharmacy and community prescriber will be administered methadone within the first 48 hours following clinical assessment and decision making. Currently, methadone can be administered only at Kittybrewster custody suite. NHS Grampian has been able to identify further community pharmacies in Grampian that will support the delivery of schedule 2 medicines to allow opioid replacement therapy for patients. A working group is progressing that work, and it is expected that progress to roll that out across Elgin and Fraserburgh will now happen at pace. Any patient for whom a prescription cannot be confirmed and who is actively in withdrawal while in police custody will be assessed and given dihydrocodeine to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.

10:00

To ensure robust and consistent monitoring, the Scottish Government will request an update from all health boards each November as part of an annual review process. The Scottish Government will also seek updates to confirm the completion of the roll-out of the opioid replacement therapy pathway across NHS Grampian.

The petitioner’s written submission states that

“detainees are not allowed the legal requirement of informed consent”,

which he states is

“a legal right and not a privilege.”

He notes his on-going concern that NHS Grampian has been providing dihydrocodeine to detainees in police custody without their explicit informed consent.

Do colleagues have any suggestions as to how we might proceed?

Thank you. Do any colleagues have anything further to add?

I would not bet against it.