Committee
Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee 06 March 2024
06 Mar 2024 · S6 · Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
Item of business
Continued Petitions
Child Protection (Public Bodies) (PE1979)
I think that the witnesses from whom we heard—Mr Cook, Mr Barnett and Alison Dickie—indicated that one of the problems with public inquiries is that they take such a long time and that part of the rationale for having the proposed whistleblowing service that they advocate is that things can happen at the time, not after the kids concerned become adults when, frankly, the events will have long drifted out of the memory of those involved. Could we in writing to the children’s commissioner draw that specific point to the commissioner’s attention? After all, it does seem to be a gap. We could draw it to the minister’s attention, too, because if the point is not granted and dealt with, I do not think that we will have made much progress with this petition. I just wanted to make the point, convener, because it was made in the evidence that we heard.
In the same item of business
The Convener
Con
PE1979, on the establishment of an independent inquiry and an independent national whistleblowing officer to investigate concerns about the alleged mishandli...
David Torrance
SNP
I wonder whether the committee might consider writing to the Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise to recommend that she meet the petit...
The Convener
Con
Do other colleagues have any suggestions following the evidence that we heard?
Fergus Ewing
SNP
I think that the witnesses from whom we heard—Mr Cook, Mr Barnett and Alison Dickie—indicated that one of the problems with public inquiries is that they tak...
The Convener
Con
Mr Ewing, I recall that you drew particular attention to the issue in our questioning. Indeed, I think that you cited the Edinburgh academy case, suggesting ...