Hansard

The Convener Lab

The next petition is PE1549, by Alan Clark Young, on concessionary travel passes for war veterans.

Kenny MacAskill (Edinburgh Eastern) (SNP) SNP

I think that we have reached the end of the road on this one.

The Convener Lab

Yes, I think that we have tested this one to destruction.

David Torrance SNP

I am quite happy to close this one, because the Government is not going to change its mind.

Hanzala Malik Lab

I wish to support the petition on the ground that it is an important one. We recognise the physical and mental contribution that armed forces personnel make ...

Kenny MacAskill SNP

I think that, if the Government were going to do that, it would have suggested it. The negotiations that Hanzala Malik is referring to concern financial tran...

Hanzala Malik Lab

We do not know what it has considered.

The Convener Lab

I take your point, Hanzala. I support the premise of the petition and I think that there is merit in the suggestion. However, to be honest, the reality is th...

Hanzala Malik Lab

With all due respect, I do not think that we have specifically asked the Government to consider the angle that I have raised. I think that it is worth giving...

Kenny MacAskill SNP

We might not have specifically asked about that issue, but I am with you, convener. Throughout my tenure as a regional MSP and as a constituency MSP, my expe...

The Convener Lab

It is the purpose of the Public Petitions Committee to try to change Government policy. However, we are not going to change Government policy on this. We hav...

Hanzala Malik Lab

I am not asking for that at all. I am asking the Government to ask the transport providers to consider it. I do not think that that option has been considere...

The Convener Lab

Okay. Do other members have a view on that? I think that you are in a minority of one, Hanzala.

Hanzala Malik Lab

I am quite happy to die in a ditch.

The Convener Lab

As I have said, I do not want to take this to a vote—I always try to get a consensus.

Hanzala Malik Lab

Convener, we tend to underestimate the sacrifices that our armed forces make around the world, and we are demanding more and more.

The Convener Lab

I do not think that anyone is underestimating that. We have had that discussion. I think that everyone accepts the premise of the petition; our problem is th...

Hanzala Malik Lab

No, convener. I am asking for something totally different. I want the Government to ask the transport providers to provide a service free of charge. I am not...

The Convener Lab

But that is how the concessionary travel scheme works.

Hanzala Malik Lab

At the moment, yes.

The Convener Lab

Okay.

John Wilson Ind

There are wider issues around the concessionary travel scheme than just whether someone travels for free. For example, there are the cards and the administra...

Jackson Carlaw Con

I am in agreement with your position on this, convener: we have asked the Government and it has said no. It is clearly open to individual members of the comm...

The Convener Lab

That is the point, Hanzala. I do not know whether you want to take the issue to a vote. David Torrance wants to make a contribution to the discussion; then I...

David Torrance SNP

I am fully supportive of your stance, convener. I support the petition but, as Jackson Carlaw said, the Government said no and the petition is not going anyw...

Hanzala Malik Lab

I take on board what very experienced members are saying, but I feel quite strongly about the issue. I suggest that the Government might want to speak to the...

The Convener Lab

No. Our final meeting is on 8 March.

Hanzala Malik Lab

I do not see what damage it would do if we took one final opportunity to write to the Government to find out whether it would be prepared to speak to the arm...

The Convener Lab

I have to say that I think that that would just be a futile gesture, and I do not think that the committee is into doing that kind of thing. Sometimes we lea...

Hanzala Malik Lab

As a compromise, could I suggest that we write to the petitioner to say that he might want to engage with the armed forces to see whether—