Minutes: 18 June 2025

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 4 in private. 

2. Consideration of continued petitions:

The Committee considered the following continued petitions: 

• PE2098: Provide essential investment in the Gaelic language to secure its future. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders.

• PE2061: Require solicitors to ensure capacity of vulnerable individuals by having a medical professional co-sign legal documents. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government. 

• PE2105: Safeguard Scottish Listed Buildings at risk of unnecessary demolition. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and COSLA. 

• PE2107: Use more money recovered from the proceeds of crime to support community-based charities that train animals to assist in the detection of drugs. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government.  

• PE1900: Access to prescribed medication for detainees in police custody. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Drugs & Alcohol Policy and Sport. 

• PE1993: Reform the financial support for social work students on work placements. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE2039: Fair pay to student nurses while on placement. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

3. Consideration of new petitions:

The Committee considered the following new petitions: 

• PE2156: Improve access to ADHD diagnosis and treatment across Scotland. The Committee agreed to refer the petition to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee. 

• PE2138: Make publicly owned buildings accessible for people with colour blindness. The Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Disability Equality Scotland. 

• PE2150: Amend the Scottish Housing Regulator’s mandate or create a body to protect owners of ex-council properties. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders.  

• PE2152: Review and update the Home Report system to ensure it protects both the seller and the buyer. The Committee agreed to close the Petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE2154: Ensure planning consideration for equestrian accessibility. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

• PE2155: Improve support for people trying to give up e-cigarettes and vaping. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health. 

4. Work programme:

The Committee agreed correspondence to Police Scotland on petition PE1876: Accurately record the sex of people charged or convicted of rape or attempted rape. The Committee also agreed to schedule a roundtable evidence session at a future meeting on emergency cardiac care and to invite the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health to give evidence on emergency cardiac and stroke care at a future meeting. The Committee agreed to seek an update from the Deputy First Minister in relation to petition PE1933: Allow the Fornethy Survivors to access Scotland's redress scheme.