It is important that we seek more information. I suggest that we write to the Scottish Government to seek information on its plans to review home reports, including the anticipated timetable for any review.

If I can, I will explain that to you, Ann. Reference was made to the complexity of the communication process as a potential barrier. The Royal College of Pathologists felt that offering relatives options for tissue sample handling—Dr Adeley explained how that process is managed—could present a barrier. Have you encountered any challenges around communications and the options for seeking informed consent?

Dr Adeley, you touched on the samples and biopsies that are taken. We have already heard from the Royal College of Pathologists, which talked about the potential challenges that are associated with tissue samples and any returns of those samples. Do you recognise the challenges that the Royal College of Pathologists described when it comes to returning samples? Have you had issues in that area? What are your views on the process?

Mr Torrance has indicated that there is a difficulty here, and there certainly is. The idea of the petition is sound in some ways, but it is not practical in others. The problem that we face is that it would be virtually impossible. We are all aware of the difficulties that local authorities have at the moment; they even have issues with the space that they have for allotments and the land coverage that they keep.

The Scottish Government provides support and funding to enable groups to do some of those things in the community, and that is part of the equation. I concur with David Torrance: I do not see this progressing in the way that the petitioner wants, because it is not practical. It is not feasible in reality to achieve what the petitioner calls for.

To ask the Scottish Government what work it has conducted to ascertain the public’s perception of the frequency of police patrols in their local area. (S6O-02239)

The Scottish National Party Government’s crime and justice survey confirms that there has been a significant drop in the proportion of adults who were aware of police patrols in their area. In the year before Police Scotland was formed, 56 per cent of people said that they saw police regularly patrolling their area; by 2019-20, that figure had fallen to 37 per cent. A regular police presence reassures local communities and can often deter the committing of crime. Therefore, what action will the Government put in place to reduce the burden that Police Scotland is under and boost the police presence in our local communities?

As a member of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, I take the scrutiny and governance of Parliament and its members very seriously. The committee was unanimous regarding the consultation and consideration and the decision that we reached.

The committee was of the view that Maggie Chapman’s registered financial interest—that is, the remuneration that she received by virtue of her employment as the chief operating officer of Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre—was relevant to the proceedings of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee on 31 May 2022.

The view of all the members of the committee was that, in keeping with the principles that underpin the code of conduct, the member should not just take into account their own view in the assessment of whether a declaration relates to committee proceedings, but should also consider whether a fair-minded and impartial observer would consider that the declarable interest could influence the member or give the appearance that the member’s ability to act impartially was prejudiced.

The committee considered that a person who watched or read the proceedings might reasonably consider there to be a connection between Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre and Rape Crisis Scotland. The committee members take very seriously any breach of the requirements in relation to failure to declare a registrable financial interest before taking part in any proceedings of Parliament relating to that matter, and the unanimous verdict of the committee was that the code was breached. That cemented the view and findings of the commissioner.

Members can seek advice from the committee’s clerks as to how any question on any matter relates to registrations and declarations of interest. The integrity and reputation of this Parliament and its members should always be paramount. Those of us who are privileged to serve as members of this Parliament should, at all times, act to uphold its reputation and that of its proceedings in accordance with the code of conduct. When Parliament delegates a decision to the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee and the committee comes back with a unanimous decision, that decision should be respected.

I agree, convener.

Depression and suicide rates for farmers are among the highest of any occupation. Tragically, those figures are growing and the situation is getting worse. What steps will the Scottish Government take to not only halt but reverse that trend?

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the rural affairs secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding actions to tackle mental health problems amongst farmers and crofters. (S6O-02199)