Public Petitions Committee, 30 Jan 2006
Meeting date: Monday, January 30, 2006
Official Report
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Scottish Parliament Public Petitions Committee Monday 30 January 2006
[The Convener opened the meeting at 10:00]
Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the second meeting in 2006 of the Public Petitions Committee, which is delighted to be meeting in Dunfermline. I thank Fife Council for allowing us to meet in these splendid surroundings.
This is the fourth in a series of events that the committee has organised outside Edinburgh in order to bring the petitioning system closer to the people of Scotland, and we are delighted that so many local people have come along this morning. We will shortly hear from a number of local petitioners. In addition to this morning's meeting, this afternoon the committee will host the fourth in our series of events aimed at promoting the public petitions system across Scotland. We look forward to hearing how local people think that the public petitions system is working.
Given the number of witnesses from whom we will hear, I intend to limit consideration of each petition to a maximum of around 30 minutes. Members are reminded to limit themselves to the questioning of the witnesses regardless of other events that might be taking place in Dunfermline. I have received apologies from Charlie Gordon MSP, and Jackie Baillie MSP will arrive late. As we are in new surroundings, I invite members of the committee to introduce themselves. I am Michael McMahon, the convener of the committee and the MSP for Hamilton North and Bellshill.
I am the member of the Scottish Parliament for the Ayr constituency.
I am the member of the Scottish Parliament for the Dunfermline East constituency.
I am the Liberal Democrat member for Ross, Skye and Inverness West, in the Highlands. I am pleased to be with you this morning with the Public Petitions Committee.
I am the SNP MSP for Glasgow.
I am one of the MSPs for Mid Scotland and Fife. I warmly welcome the committee to Dunfermline.
Thank you very much.