Hansard

It is that bold determination by the Scottish Government not to engage in a discussion on the principal ask of the petition, whatever the merits of many of the arguments that have been presented to us, that makes it difficult for us to pursue it. Colleagues, are there any alternative suggestions or are we, with some reluctance, inclined to support Mr Torrance’s proposal? I believe that we are. I commend the petitioner for bringing the petition to us. I thank him and the others who have made detailed submissions to us. However, given that the Scottish Government has firmly rejected the principal ask of the petition, unfortunately, there is nothing more that the committee can do to advance its aims. We are not the Government and we cannot instruct it to engage. Are colleagues content? Members indicated agreement.