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Our final continued petition for consideration is PE1910, which was lodged by Ian Nicol. The petition calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to introduce an exemption for smaller houses from the requirement, which came into force at the beginning of February 2022, to have interlinked smoke and fire alarms fitted.

When the committee considered the petition at its meeting on 1 December 2021, we heard that the Scottish Government had put in place a fund to help vulnerable households to install new alarms. The committee subsequently wrote to the Scottish Government to query how it planned to review the effectiveness of the financial support that has been offered and to establish what work was being done to protect vulnerable home owners when they arrange the installation of new alarms in their homes.

The Scottish Government’s response states that it receives regular returns from Care and Repair Scotland on the use of its fund and the number of homes that have received free and subsidised alarms. It says that it is reviewing those returns and maintaining engagement with Care and Repair Scotland to identify any gaps in support and ensure effective use of its fund. It also highlights a recent media awareness campaign that includes information on types of alarm and the importance of using reputable tradespeople to fit them.

The petitioner’s recent submission raises concerns about a lack of public awareness of precisely what is required to comply with the new standards, a shortage of appropriate equipment and tradespeople, and a lack of clarity on the penalties for non-compliance. The petitioner explains that he bought equipment when he first read about the legislation and he subsequently found out that it did not meet the requirements.

Do members have any comments or suggestions?

As there are no other comments from committee members, do we agree to close the petition under rule 15.7?

Members indicated agreement.

Thank you.

I will start the questions. What first led you to explore the experience of witches who were convicted in Scotland, and why did you feel that it was important to bring the petition before us now?

Yes, please, and indicate when you are finished.

If the committee agrees, we will close the petition under rule 15.7 of the standing orders.

Members indicated agreement.

Thank you very much for that comprehensive list of stakeholders, Paul. I hope that the clerks got them all.

PE1915, which has been lodged by William Sinclair, is on the reinstatement of Caithness county council and Caithness national health service board. The petitioner has highlighted particular concerns about the loss of consultant-led maternity services and the closure of two palliative care hospitals in Caithness.

In its submission, the Scottish Government states its commitment to ensuring that

“decisions are taken at the right level, and as close as possible to those most affected.”

It highlights the joint local governance review with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, which it states

“aims to strengthen local democracy by considering how power should be shared between national and local government, and with ... communities”

and highlights on-going work to create a national care service and the recent consultation on this topic, stating:

“there are currently no plans to bring about any changes to the structure of NHS Boards.”

The Government also states its intention to introduce a local democracy bill within the lifetime of this Parliament.?

The submission explains that the decision to change from a consultant-led obstetric unit in the Caithness general hospital to a midwife-led community maternity unit was

“taken on the grounds of safety”.

Moreover, in relation to palliative care, the submission advises that although Caithness has no

“specific hospice facilities, the teams locally work very closely with the Highland Hospice located in Inverness.”?

Do colleagues have any comments?

PE1917, which has been lodged by Amy Stevenson, is on providing full legal aid to all parents fighting for access to their children.

The petitioner highlights that, when couples separate and are unable to agree on contact arrangements, parents are often faced with High Court costs and contact centre access fees that they might struggle to afford. She states that that often results in many parents experiencing mental health issues.?

The Scottish Government’s submission on?this petition highlights a 2019 consultation on legal aid reform in which 75 per cent of respondents agreed that those who could afford to contribute towards costs should do so. It also explains that

“The number of cases relating to child contact and residence means that providing legal aid without a means test for those seeking these court orders would have a considerable impact on the legal aid budget”,

and it advises that the Scottish Government provides financial support to Relationships Scotland for the operation of contact centres.

Do colleagues have any comments?

Do we agree to keep the petition open and write to the relevant stakeholders?

Members indicated agreement.