Minutes: 29 May 2024

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 5 and 6 in private. 

2. Inquiry into A9 Dualling Project:

The Committee took evidence from— 

Nicola Sturgeon MSP, former First Minister 

3. Consideration of continued petitions:

The Committee considered the following continued petitions:

PE1905: Public Inquiry into the response of religious organisations to allegations of child sexual abuse since 1950. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. In closing the petition, the Committee also agreed to write to the Deputy First Minister. 

PE1911: Review of Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006 as it relates to post-mortems. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government. 

PE1984: Introduce the C100 form for child arrangement orders in Scotland. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE2024: Create a national, public information programme to raise awareness of the impacts of steroids, selective androgen receptor modulators, and other performance enhancing drugs. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy. 

PE2027: Launch the Changing Places Toilet fund. The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders. 

PE2031: Provide insulin pumps to all children with type 1 diabetes in Scotland. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government and NHS Highland. 

PE2034: Stop the current proposals for Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) in Scotland. The Committee agreed to write to NatureScot. 

4. Consideration of new petitions:

The Committee considered the following new petitions:

PE2082: Improve the support provided to families affected by cot death. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Cot Death Trust.

PE2086: Recognise the vaccine injured and offer appropriate treatment. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government.

PE2087: Pass a law making exercising a dog in a cemetery an offence. The Committee agreed to write to COSLA, Police Scotland, and the Scottish Government. 

5. Evidence Session:

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 2 and agreed to write to Nicola Sturgeon MSP to follow up on specific points raised during the evidence session.

6. Annual report:

The Committee approved its draft annual report for the parliamentary year from 13 May 2023 to 12 May 2024. It also agreed to delegate authority to the Convener to finalise the text and format of the report and related communications.