Public Petitions Committee

Meeting date: Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Official Report 517KB pdf

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Current Petitions

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Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency (Understanding and Treatment) (PE1408)

We move on to current petitions. PE1408 by Andrea MacArthur is on the understanding and treatment of pernicious anaemia and vitamin B12 deficiency. Members will recall that we had quite a successful chamber debate on the issues in the petition.

Andrea MacArthur has suggested that we seek a response from the Scottish Government on the active B12 test before we consider what steps to take next, which makes quite a lot of sense. Is the committee happy to continue the petition, so that we can seek the Scottish Government’s view? There are outstanding matters that we need to consider.

Members indicated agreement.

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Remote and Rural Areas Transport Provision (Access to Care) (Older People) (PE1424)

PE1424 by Joyce Harkness, on behalf of the road to health community partnerships project 3 team, is on improving transport provision for older people in remote and rural areas. Members have a note by the clerk. I invite comments.

I know that the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee has agreed to hold an inquiry on the matter, so it would be sensible to refer the petition to that committee.

That would be sensible. Do members agree?

Members indicated agreement.

Under rule 15.6.2, we will refer the petition to the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee, on the basis that it is to hold an inquiry into community and demand-led transport.

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Use of Productive Land (PE1433)

The third current petition is PE1433, by John Hancox, on productive land for landless Scots to grow their own food on. Members have a note by the clerk. John Wilson has taken a particular interest in the petition.

I have taken a particular interest and have met the petitioner on a number of occasions. We should continue the petition; the proposed community empowerment and renewal bill could raise further issues to do with how we should proceed.

In his response, the petitioner has asked why certain trees are not included in the current planting programme. Various organisations that are involved in woodland planting have indicated that fruit trees are not included in the list of trees that can be planted. It would be useful to write to the Scottish Government to seek clarification on the guidance that is issued to woodland bodies in order that we can find out why fruit trees—especially indigenous fruit trees—are not included in the planting programme for reforestation of Scotland.

Do we have details of the petitioner’s background? The petitioner has the same name as a senior planning officer in the Borders.

The petitioner is not that person.

Do members agree to the suggested course of action?

Members indicated agreement.

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Scotland-Pakistan Youth Council (PE1435)

PE1435, by Wajahat Nassar, is on a Scotland-Pakistan youth council. Members have a note by the clerk.

We can close the petition on the basis that such a council has not yet been established and the Scottish Government cannot endorse or become a stakeholder in its establishment. Is that agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

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Proposed Children and Young People Bill (PE1440)

The fifth and final current petition is PE1440 by Sharon McCluskie, on behalf of Play Scotland, on plans for the proposed children and young people bill. Members have a note by the clerk. I invite comments.

I suggest that, under rule 15.6.2, we refer the petition to the Education and Culture Committee on the basis that it has responsibility for scrutinising policy in that area.

Is that agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

That was our final petition for today. Before I close the meeting, I wish members and staff a happy Christmas and a good new year. I ask our colleagues from Barnardo’s to stay behind, as they are to give us an informal briefing, and I ask everyone else to leave.

Meeting closed at 11:34.