Sep 17, 2013 - David Stewart (Convener). David Torrance. John Wilson. Also present: Graeme Dey, Alex Fergusson, Stewart
PPC/S4/13/15/M
PUBLIC PETITIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES 15th Meeting, 2013 (Session 4) Tuesday 17 September 2013 Present: Chic Brodie (Deputy Convener) Angus MacDonald David Stewart (Convener) John Wilson
Jackson Carlaw Anne McTaggart David Torrance
Also present: Graeme Dey, Alex Fergusson, Stewart Stevenson The meeting opened at 9.30 am. 1.
PE1458 - a register of interests for members of Scotland's judiciary: The Committee took evidence from Moi Ali, Judicial Complaints Reviewer. The Committee agreed to write to Dr Kennedy Graham MP, New Zealand Parliament, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Scottish Court Service and the Scottish Government. The Committee also agreed to consider the debate that took place during the passage of the Scotland Act 1998 on section 23.
2.
Consideration of new petitions: The Committee considered— PE1482 by John Womersley on isolation in single room hospitals and took evidence from John Womersley, and Rev Douglas Irving, Minister, Kirkcudbright Parish Church. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government. PE1483 by John Macleod on a bilingual version of the independence referendum question and took evidence from John Macleod, and Professor Robert Dunbar, Chair of Celtic Languages, Literature, History and Antiquities, University of Edinburgh. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government, the Electoral Commission and the Electoral Management Board for Scotland.
PPC/S4/13/15/M PE1480 by Amanda Kopel, on behalf of the Frank Kopel Alzheimer's Awareness Campaign, on Alzheimer's and dementia awareness and took evidence from Amanda Kopel, and Dr Susan Logie, Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry, Susan Carnegie Centre, Stracathro Hospital. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government and Alzheimer Scotland. 3.
Consideration of current petitions: The Committee considered— PE1098 by Lynn Merrifield, on behalf of Kingseat Community Council and PE1223 by Ron Beaty on school bus safety. The Committee agreed to invite the Minister for Transport and Veterans to give evidence at a future meeting. PE1439 by Jonathan McColl on betting and loan shops in deprived communities. The Committee agreed to close the petition, under Rule 15.7, on the grounds that the Scottish Government has investigated what could be done but has concluded that it does not see a role for planning; the areas are, in the main, reserved to the UK Government, and the Scottish Government continues to pursue action where it can. PE1441 by David Crichton on flood insurance problems. The Committee agreed to refer the petition, under Rule 15.6.2, to the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee. PE1443 by Maureen Sharkey, on behalf of Scottish Care and Information on Miscarriage, on investigating the cause of miscarriage. The Committee agreed to write to the Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland. PE1448 by Grant Thomson on improving awareness of the cancer risks in organ transplantation. The Committee agreed to close the petition, under Rule 15.7, on the grounds that the three Scottish transplant units and the Newcastle unit have implemented the Scottish Transplant Group’s recommendations. PE1454 by Natalie Robb on hyperemesis specialist nurses. The Committee agreed to close the petition, under Rule 15.7, on the grounds that a Scottish hyperemesis network for professionals is to be set up; the group will work with established patient support groups, and, in addition, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has commissioned a new guideline in this area. PE1465 by Tony Ivanov on maintenance of vacant land in private ownership. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government. PE1478 by Murray Cooper on the A90 Balmedie to Tipperty dualling project. The Committee agreed to close the petition, under Rule 15.7, on the grounds that what is being sought is not possible within the timescale stated. In closing, the Committee agreed to write again to Transport Scotland.
PPC/S4/13/15/M 4.
PE1463 - effective thyroid and adrenal testing, diagnosis and treatment witness expenses: The Committee agreed to delegate to the Convener responsibility for arranging for the SPCB to pay, under Rule 12.4.3, any expenses of witnesses for the round-table event.
The meeting closed at 12.11 pm. Anne Peat Clerk to the Public Petitions Committee Room T3.40 The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh Tel: 0131 348 5186 Email:
[email protected] 