Meeting Minutes
3rd Meeting, 2021
Date: Wednesday, September 8, 2021
Session: 6
Location: T1.60-CR4 The Clerk Maxwell Room
Meeting opened: 10:02am
Meeting closed: 11:46am
Committee Members Attendees
Jackson Carlaw (Convener)
David Torrance (Deputy Convener)
Tess White
Bill Kidd
Paul Sweeney
Also Present
Christine Grahame (PE1838)
Rhoda Grant (PE1723 and PE1804)
Emma Harper (PE1610/PE1657 and PE1845)
Liam McArthur (PE1804)
Elena Whitham (PE1657)
1 Consideration of continued petitions:
The Committee considered the following continued petitions—
PE1517: Polypropylene Mesh Medical Devices. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders on the basis that the Scottish Government has published the Transvaginal Mesh Removal (Cost Reimbursement) (Scotland) Bill to allow it to set up a scheme which could pay back people who have paid private healthcare costs to have their transvaginal mesh implant removed; and has and continues to take a range of actions which aim to address several of the key actions called for in the petition. The Committee also agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care.
PE1610: Upgrade the A75 and PE1657: A77 upgrade. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport.
PE1662: Improve Treatment for Patients with Lyme Disease and Associated Tick-borne Diseases. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government.
PE1723: Essential tremor treatment in Scotland. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport. It also agreed to write to the University of Dundee.
PE1804: Halt Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd's Air Traffic Management Strategy. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport. The Committee also agreed to write to the Civil Aviation Authority, the Scottish Government’s Digital Assurance Office and the Prospect trade union.
PE1812: Protect Scotland's remaining ancient, native and semi-native woodlands and woodland floors. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government.
PE1837: Provide clear direction and investment for autism support. The Committee agreed to invite the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to give evidence at a future meeting.
PE1838: Regulation of non-statutory child advocacy services. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Community Safety.
PE1845: Agency to advocate for the healthcare needs of rural Scotland. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government. It also agreed to write to the Remote and Rural General Practice Short Life Working Group and to rural health boards.
2 Consideration of new petitions:
The Committee considered the following new petitions—
PE1854: Review the adult disability payment eligibility criteria for people with mobility needs. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government. The Committee also agreed to write to the Department for Work and Pensions.
PE1865: Suspend all surgical mesh and fixation devices. The Committee agreed to invite the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to give evidence at a future meeting.
PE1866: Introduce legislation to improve bus travel for wheelchair users. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government.
PE1867: Establish a new national qualification for British Sign Language (BSL). The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
PE1868: Support for working single parents. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders on the basis that the Scottish Government provides for almost 500,000 low income households under the Council Tax Reduction Scheme; the Scottish Government has no authority to intervene on the specific matters raised in the petition pertaining to Income Tax as they are beyond the devolved responsibility of the Scottish Parliament; and there has been a commitment to extend eligibility of current social security for low income families.