Hansard

Like other members, I pay tribute to the committee clerks, led by Fergus Cochrane, who have made an immense contribution to the success of the committee. They have advised petitioners on how to present their petitions and have sought innovative ways of extending the petitioner base by organising external committee meetings in schools and community halls and by using modern technologies such as videoconferencing and electronic petitioning. It is little wonder that politicians from other legislatures have taken a keen interest in our work and have adopted some of our practices. The international reputation of the Public Petitions Committee is due in no small measure to the enthusiasm and efficiency of the clerking team.

The main difficulty in dealing with a debate such as this, on four years’ work by a very busy committee, is deciding what to put into one’s speech and what to leave out. I am thankful that committee members have covered a broad range of the topics that the committee has considered and the various activities in which its members have been involved. Rhona Brankin dealt with the general culture of the committee, which has developed since the beginning of the Parliament in 1999. As she said, in the current session we have dealt with a large number of petitions at our 73 meetings, and many issues have been addressed that might otherwise never have come to the attention of politicians.

We have had some interesting external meetings and have always been made welcome by our hosts. I will not forget being met by a young piper on a Monday morning in Alness or the excellent buffet lunch that was put on for us in Fraserburgh. We have also been most impressed by the confidence and ability of many of the petitioners—especially the young ones—who have spoken to the committee on the substance of their petitions. I am pleased that Anne McLaughlin highlighted that.

Bruce Crawford’s appreciation of our work is welcome. He referred to the cross-party co-operation in the committee as it has dealt with petitions. Indeed, I think that we were divided only once during the entire four years of the committee’s work. However, as Bruce Crawford rightly said, the committee must continue to be innovative if it is to maintain the high standards and growing reputation of its first 12 years. I am sure that we all agree with that.

Paul Martin referred to representations that he made to the committee on behalf of constituents. The direct involvement of MSPs in that way is of considerable assistance to committee members. Although on occasion it prolongs significantly already long committee meetings, it adds very positively to the petitions process.

Mike Rumbles referred to the open petition on the junction of the A90 at Laurencekirk. The committee has been committed to making progress on the issue and, as we have heard, has called ministers to the committee on more than one occasion to answer questions. Unfortunately, an ideal solution has not yet been found, but real progress might be made in the next session of Parliament.

Bill Butler was the third member to refer to the cancer drugs availability petition from Tina McGeever and her husband, which underlines how important the petition has been to the cancer journey of many patients in Scotland. He also rightly highlighted the excellent petition from his constituent, Ryan McLaughlin, who impressed us all—especially, as Robin Harper said, with his organisation of the parade down the Royal Mile.

John Wilson referred to the petition on domestic violence against men—an issue that has rarely been highlighted but which ruins the lives of the significant number of men who fall victim to it. The petition raised awareness and resulted in support being given by the Government via a UK telephone helpline. Although more work needs to be done, significant progress has been made on that very important issue.

Robin Harper called the committee

“the listening ear of the Parliament.”

That description is appropriate, because petitioners—even those whose petitions are unsuccessful—generally appreciate that their concerns have been given a fair hearing. Other members referred to a variety of petitions, all of which were worth while and important to petitioners and all of which the committee moved forward. Nigel Don gave us his usual thoughtful suggestions.

All speakers have praised the committee fully. Long may it continue to be a proactive and useful committee to the Parliament.

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