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Blacklisting (PE1481)
Agenda item 3 is for the committee to consider public petition PE1481 on blacklisting in Scotland. The committee has received a response from the petitioners that is included with the cover note for this item. I invite comments on the petition.
The petitioners performed a valuable service that helped to inform the development of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Bill when it was going through the legislative stages, and the petition helped to improve the legislation by highlighting an important issue. I understand that, as a result, extensive dialogue has taken place between the Scottish Government and the trade unions that has resulted in extensive guidance and the promise of secondary legislation. I am therefore in favour of keeping the petition open so that we can keep the issue under review and, if appropriate, seek further evidence at a later stage about implementation of the guidance and any subsequent legislation.
My instinct with these things is to say that it is a historical problem and it is not a problem any more, but I have no evidence to support that view in this case. I would like to think that the problem is solved, but I agree with Jim Eadie that we should keep an eye on the situation and ensure that there is not still a problem that has to be dealt with.
I also agree with Jim Eadie. The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Bill has taken steps that were welcomed by the petitioners. Perhaps we could write to the Scottish Government on the final point to ask whether it has any intention of instructing a public inquiry on blacklisting.
There are some pretty serious things mentioned in the reply from Pat Rafferty, and I agree with Mark Griffin that we should write to the Scottish Government with a copy of the reply and ask for its comments on what progress has been made and what discussions have taken place with the trade unions on further guidance. Are we agreed on that?
Members indicated agreement.
That completes item 3, so we now move into private session.
11:45 Meeting continued in private until 11:53.Previous
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