Committee
Public Petitions Committee 01 March 2016
01 Mar 2016 · S4 · Public Petitions Committee
Item of business
Continued Petitions
Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 (Review) (PE1593)
There is a lot of logic in what Jackson Carlaw says; equally, though, I am relaxed about the legacy paper suggestion. It seems that we have, to some extent, come to the end of the road in what we can do. The minister has made it clear that there is going to be no review by the Government. Notwithstanding what the convener has said, the minister has made a denial; like other members, I do not think that we should be going back and forth, looking at who said what. Nevertheless, the issue is still running. People have chosen to make it an election issue, and we will see what the outcome is in May. The successor committee might or might not seek to raise the issues. I am relaxed about putting the petition in the legacy paper, but I would be very reluctant to make any further inquiries. I do not think that there is anyone whom we could go to who would not say, “I told you before—we’re not reviewing this again, and I stand by what I said in Parliament” or whatever. However, putting the issue in the legacy paper would be perfectly acceptable to me.
In the same item of business
The Convener
Lab
PE1593, by Paul Quigley on behalf of Fans Against Criminalisation, seeks a full review of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications ...
Jackson Carlaw
Con
I am going to posit a contrary view, for the sake of discussion. I am opposed to this act and my party is committed to its abolition. However, the petition a...
The Convener
Lab
I would like clarification on at least one of the issues to which the minister responded. The submission from Fans Against Criminalisation challenges a lot o...
Hanzala Malik
Lab
It is not unreasonable for the petitioner to ask for a review. There has been a lot of misunderstanding of the legislation, and a lot of constituents have sa...
The Convener
Lab
I put it to the committee that we have debated a number of petitions this morning on which there are still outstanding questions. We have had clear answers f...
Kenny MacAskill
SNP
There is a lot of logic in what Jackson Carlaw says; equally, though, I am relaxed about the legacy paper suggestion. It seems that we have, to some extent, ...
John Wilson
Ind
I am opposed to the legislation and the way in which it is being implemented—I know that Mr MacAskill might have other views on the matter. I think that it s...
Jackson Carlaw
Con
That is not this committee’s job, though.
John Wilson
Ind
If Jackson Carlaw will let me finish, I will continue. The committee previously conducted an inquiry into child sexual exploitation. The issue could have be...
The Convener
Lab
Are members happy that we at least leave the matter in the legacy paper and let the next committee have a look at it? Members indicated agreement.
The Convener
Lab
I think that we have reached agreement, even if it is not entirely enthusiastic. We will put the recommendation into the legacy paper.