Committee
Public Petitions Committee 09 February 2016
09 Feb 2016 · S4 · Public Petitions Committee
Item of business
Continued Petitions
Scottish Red Ensign (PE1569)
I, too, am very disappointed. There are countries that some would argue do not even have a navy but that still have their own flag, and yet that is not the case in Scotland. Shipping and boating people—particularly those who do it as a hobby—who would be proud to fly their own flag have been denied the chance, simply because the Scottish Government is not interested in pursuing the matter. I like the idea of writing to the secretary of state to see whether he is willing to do anything with it. However, the petitioner should perhaps be advised that there are other avenues open to him to take the matter forward. The Government may feel that there are more important things to do than pursue this issue, but I think that it is very important. A lot of people will genuinely feel deeply disappointed, and I suggest that they look at ways of bringing the issue back as a new petition.
In the same item of business
The Convener
Lab
Our next petition is PE1569, by George McKenzie, on the reintroduction of the Scottish red ensign.
Kenny MacAskill
SNP
We have reached the end of the road on this one.
The Convener
Lab
Yes—it has been given a good airing.
Jackson Carlaw
Con
I agree. I express disappointment at the Scottish Government’s timidity in taking forward Scotland’s interest in this respect, although I wish to remain unde...
The Convener
Lab
I knew that I was going to open a can of worms—thank you, Jackson. Angus MacDonald can go next, followed by Hanzala Malik.
Angus MacDonald
SNP
I will keep it brief, convener. It might be worth suggesting to the petitioner that he could bring the issue to the attention of the Secretary of State for S...
The Convener
Lab
We can write to him and make that point.
Hanzala Malik
Lab
I, too, am very disappointed. There are countries that some would argue do not even have a navy but that still have their own flag, and yet that is not the c...
The Convener
Lab
As I said, we can write to the petitioner and advise him of the committee’s thoughts in that regard, including the views of Jackson Carlaw and Hanzala Malik....