Committee
Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee 11 March 2026 [Draft]
11 Mar 2026 · S6 · Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
Item of business
Continued Petitions
Children (Automatic Expulsions) (PE2139)
I think that, in this instance, we will close the petition, but with those recommendations. The issue could be explored further and, if we had had more time, there might have been an option to consider evidence on the issue, which is obviously a matter of considerable concern, and the petition before us ties in with the work that we did on the earlier one. We would close it with those recommendations being made. Are we agreed?Members indicated agreement.
In the same item of business
The Convener
Con
PE2139, which was lodged by Maria Giordano, calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to introduce automatic expulsion for children wh...
David Torrance
SNP
I wonder whether the committee would consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders, given the Scottish Government’s position that it would...
The Convener
Con
We could also pick up on a point that we can lift from the submission by the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland about its concern over the lac...
Davy Russell
Lab
Yes, I think that that is the way to go. In summing up, the commissioner’s submission notes that automatic exclusion is a bit severe, and every individual ca...
The Convener
Con
But if the focus was narrowed to the most extreme cases, it might be easier.
Davy Russell
Lab
Yes, but I do not think that it is good for kids not to be in school or in class. We may need a system where they are moved to another class or another schoo...
The Convener
Con
Mr Golden, do you have anything to add?
Maurice Golden
Con
No.
The Convener
Con
I think that, in this instance, we will close the petition, but with those recommendations. The issue could be explored further and, if we had had more time,...