Public Petitions Committee, 29 Oct 2003
Meeting date: Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Official Report
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Inadmissible Petitions
Plastic Bags (Tax) (IP46)
The next agenda item is inadmissible petitions. Petition IP46, from Mr Duncan Wallace, calls on the Scottish Parliament to introduce a basic tax on plastic bags, particularly those that are used in supermarkets and grocery shopping. The issue is topical.
The petition asks for a tax or levy that the Parliament cannot implement. However, the issue has been addressed by Mike Pringle MSP, who has proposed a bill that would give local authorities the power to impose such a levy. The committee could suggest that the petitioner make an input into Mike Pringle's proposals and explain the logic and reasoning behind his petition. However, the petition is inadmissible as it stands, as it asks the Parliament to introduce a tax that we cannot introduce.
Do members agree with what I propose?
Members indicated agreement.