Public Petitions Committee,

Meeting date: Tuesday, May 23, 2000

Official Report 228KB pdf

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Current Petitions

We move quickly to current petitions. Members will see from the additional papers that we have received a response from Helen Liddell, the Minister for Energy and Competitiveness in Europe, to PE121 from Mr Frank Harvey. That response adequately addresses the points that were raised by the petitioner. It is suggested that we simply copy that letter to the petitioner and that no further action be taken. Is that agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

The next additional paper is from Fife Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, in response to petition PE149. Helen Eadie will know more about the situation. The response sets out the trust's position in relation to the points that were raised in several petitions that we have passed to it recently, and goes into some detail about the reasons for the introduction of charges and the consultation that the trust has carried out. The response refers to the reduced annual charge of £60, which will be available to all staff, regardless of grade; it also sets out proposals for limited free parking on all sites, on a first-come, first-served basis, and for the development of plans for additional free spaces. The trust believes that it has complied fully with the NHS management executive guidelines on car parking charges—the response is similar to that which we received from West Lothian Healthcare NHS Trust, as members will recall.

Now that we have received responses from both trusts, it is suggested that we copy the petitions and responses to the Minister for Health and Community Care for comment, and that the minister be asked to consider whether the steps taken by the trusts conform with the management executive's guidelines. We could express to her the committee's concerns about the trend in petitions on this topic.

I suppose I should declare an interest, as the Fife Acute Hospitals NHS Trust also serves my constituency.

I agree with your proposal, convener. I am concerned that the statement that is set out in the letter does not reflect my experiences, or those of people in my constituency. I have written to Mr Connachan, who is the chief executive of Fife Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, and asked for a meeting with him to discuss the issues. The points that are made about consultation in the letter do not match the experience of people in the community.

They certainly do not match the evidence that was given to us by the petitioners; that is why we should send the papers to Susan Deacon.

It is a worrying trend.

We should amend the Transport (Scotland) Bill if it contains a provision that under no circumstances should there be car parking charges at hospitals across Scotland. That may be controversial, but—

It is controversial; you would certainly cause a stir if you were to do that.

Is it agreed that we should refer the petitions and responses to the minister, and that, in asking for her comments, we should express our concern about the trend that appears to be emerging across Scotland on this issue?

Members indicated agreement.

The final additional paper is from Mr Russ McLean. It is a response to a request from the Public Petitions Committee for additional information on the urgency of the action requested in his petition on the Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferry link. A response from the minister responsible is awaited. It is suggested that Mr McLean's letter should be passed to the Transport and the Environment Committee and the Rural Affairs Committee for their information—they are handling the petition, which we sent to them. The information from Mr McLean is additional and supports petitions that we have dealt with already.

Is that agreed?

Members indicated agreement.