Chamber and committees

I wonder whether the committee would consider writing to the Scottish Government once again to ask when it expects to publish the outcomes of the consultation on effective community engagement and local development planning guidance; to seek an update on the work to explore the scope for planning authorities to determine more applications for onshore windfarm developments, including the impact that onshore wind sector deals for Scotland has had on that work; and to highlight the petitioner’s continuing concerns about the lack of professional support that is available to assist members of the public contributing to public inquiries.

Could the committee write to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills to request a timeline for the development and publication of the joint action plan on relationships and behaviour in schools, and information about how the Scottish Government expects its call for accurate recording of incidents in schools to be achieved?

Yes, please.

Why would the petitioners like to see an inquiry being set up before the conclusion of the Scottish child abuse inquiry?

What concerns do the petitioners have about the current procedures, statutory duties and national child protection guidance?

I wonder whether the committee would consider writing to the Scottish Government for an update on whether its delivery plan and timetable for phasing out a sale of horticultural peat will be published and whether it intends to look beyond the sale of peat and consider banning the extraction of peat, but with an exemption for crofters and traditional and cultural use.

Given the evidence before the committee, I wonder whether the committee would consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders on the basis that, based on the evidence currently available, the UK National Screening Committee concluded that it would not recommend a prostate screening programme. Considering that the screening committee will review its recommendation in 12 months’ time, I wonder whether the petitioner would consider bringing the petition back then if he is not happy with the review.

No, I was considering closing the petition because the screening committee is going to review its decision in 12 months’ time.

Good morning to the cabinet secretary and our other witnesses. Cabinet secretary, can you outline the current governance structure for the A9 dualling programme? What is your role in that?

Cabinet secretary, a colleague touched on this issue earlier. Do you consider the road order process that is used to authorise major road projects to be fit for purpose? If not, do you have any plans to update that process?