Chamber and committees

Good morning to the witnesses. There are individuals and groups who would argue that there are existing criminal offences that deal with behaviour such as harassment and threatening behaviour. In your view, why are those offences insufficient to deal with protests outside abortion clinics?

I wonder whether the committee would consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders on the basis that: regulations to provide an uplift of 10.2 per cent to all legal fees were approved by Parliament in March 2023; £3 million has been announced to strengthen access to justice for deprived communities and vulnerable groups; and neither ministers nor SLAB can compel solicitors to provide advice or representation.

I wonder whether the committee would consider writing to NatureScot to ask for an updated view on concerns that it raised in 2018 about wildlife disturbance by drones; to ask how many complaints about drone use have been investigated since then and whether any of those were referred to Police Scotland; and to ask whether it would consider creating a byelaw prohibiting the use of drones on national nature reserves without a permit under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

I also wonder whether—this is probably key, convener—we could write to Police Scotland to ask whether there have been any prosecutions for wildlife crimes in Scotland related to drone use and, if so, how many, and how many police investigations into suspected wildlife crimes arising from drone use have taken place each year since 2018, and how many investigations have been reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service each year since 2018.

Could the committee close the petition under rule 15.7 of the standing orders on the basis that bodies that undertake road works are already required to consider the needs of pedestrians and must agree appropriate alternative provision with the roads authority before works take place, as set out in “Safety at Street Works and Road Works: A Code of Practice”?

Good morning to the witnesses. I know that the media will be watching this, so, in your opinion, is the experience of violence among children and young people increasing? I just want to get your views on that on the record.

Going back to violence among young people, what part have social media sites such as Instagram, TikTok and so on played in relation to an increase in violence? I have seen some horrendous videos on some of the social media sites, where people are boasting about what they have done and they are quite proud about it. In Fife, there was a video about a school teacher being assaulted by a pupil and it went viral everywhere. How has the rise of social media played a part in violence among young people?

That is okay, convener. Thank you.

This question is to Mr Watters. Some of the evidence that the committee has taken from families was about social media and threats of violence or violence on social media. They felt that the police had “become immune to it” and that there was no response from the police. Can you put on record what your position is?

I was very tempted to suggest closing the petition under standing orders, but I would like the committee to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport seeking further detail on the delivery plan, funding and governance of the A83 Rest and Be Thankful programme, including information on work that is being undertaken to ensure the statutory processes and construction are completed without unnecessary delay.

I have one more question for you, Mr Watters. The families we spoke to did not feel that the police would respond to any threats to their children on social media. Can you elaborate on what Police Scotland would do if such threats were constantly being aimed at a child?

No, it was not. I was very tempted, convener. [Laughter.]