The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Displaying 905 contributions
Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
Meeting date: 19 January 2022
David Torrance
I thank the petitioner for lodging the petition, because it is a really important issue. From the number of tragedies since last summer in Scotland, we see the number of people who could not learn to swim. Learning to swim could be a life-saver and that is why it is so important. I know that there can be difficulties around the lack of swimming facilities in some geographical locations, but I would like to explore that more. The evidence from COSLA, Scottish Swimming and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents shows that it is really important that we encourage every primary school child to learn to swim. As I said before, it would save lives, so I would like to ask for an update from the Scottish Government on the proposals to work with Scottish Swimming and sportscotland on a programme of school swimming, including who might benefit from that.
In response to comments from Mr Choudhury about data, I would also like to explore with the Scottish Government how we can collect data on the number of primary school children in Scotland who are able to swim by the end of primary school. I would also like that work to take into account factors such as a child’s geographical location and socioeconomic and ethnic background, because those are also important and will highlight where we are missing children out.
Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
Meeting date: 19 January 2022
David Torrance
I know that Natalie Don will propose a member’s bill and we do not know what that will look like, but I would still like to invite the petitioner to give evidence to the committee so that we can base any future decisions about the decision on it. I feel that—[Inaudible.]
Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
Meeting date: 19 January 2022
David Torrance
I would like to keep the petition open. I know that the Scottish Government submission says that it would not ban outright the wearing of school uniforms across Scotland, but there would be merit in finding out when the Scottish Government will publish its school uniform consultation, so I would like to write to the Government to ask that. I would also like to write to other relevant stakeholders such as the Scottish Youth Parliament, the Children and Young People’s Commissioner and the National Parent Forum of Scotland to find out their views on the petition.
11:30Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
Meeting date: 19 January 2022
David Torrance
On PE1916, I was happy to agree with you about writing to the Scottish Government to seek clarification on the project update. However, the petition requests a public inquiry into the management of the Rest and Be Thankful project. Can we also ask the Scottish Government whether such an inquiry will go ahead, because we will then get a definitive answer for the petitioners?
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee (Virtual)
Meeting date: 18 January 2022
David Torrance
Good morning, cabinet secretary. Do you have any plans to increase the health protection resource in Scotland in areas where Scotland has been identified as the lead—for example, in review of disease notifications, analysis of four nations working groups and the evolving science of genomics?
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee (Virtual)
Meeting date: 11 January 2022
David Torrance
My question is for Greig Chalmers. Some of the women will have taken out loans or used credit cards, or even remortgaged houses in some cases. Will they be eligible for reimbursement of costs that they have incurred through interest payments on the loans?
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee (Virtual)
Meeting date: 11 January 2022
David Torrance
Good morning. How does the amount of time that children and young people spend on social media affect their health and wellbeing? Online bullying has an impact on young people’s mental health. Has that increased during the pandemic? What more can the Government and public services do to highlight the dangers of social media to young people?
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 21 December 2021
David Torrance
Good afternoon, cabinet secretary. The national performance framework has nine indicators and targets for health. How does that fit with other performance frameworks, such as the local delivery plan standards and the national health and wellbeing outcomes? Which framework has the greatest prominence in setting budgets and spending decisions?
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 21 December 2021
David Torrance
Given all the information that is gathered and evidenced in the national performance framework, has it ever led to definite and specific changes in the budget plans?
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Meeting date: 7 December 2021
David Torrance
Thank you, convener. Good afternoon, panel members. We have heard about variations in local services, but “Delivering Effective Services” acknowledges the issue of timescales for perinatal mental health services. Are the current timescales adequate? That question is for Joanne Smith.