Hansard

The Convener: Lab

Petition PE504 calls on the Scottish Parliament to take the necessary steps to stop convicted murderers or members of their families profiting from their cri...

Jackie Baillie: Lab

I am genuinely concerned about the matter. This will be the 10th time that we have considered it. It feels like we are just being dangled along. I accept tha...

Ms White: SNP

I share Jackie Baillie's concern about how time has dragged on and about the Home Office letter that said that we did not get a reply before because the Home...

The Convener: Lab

My main concern is that, as Jackie Baillie and Sandra White have pointed out, the delay is not helping anyone. We must get some clarification on whether the ...

Mike Watson: Ind

I agree. The minister in whose name that letter was signed on 15 April has now moved on, but that should not affect the issue. I believe that we should follo...

The Convener: Lab

We must push a lot harder on the matter and I am prepared to write to the Home Office in strong terms. I agree with Mike Watson that we should encourage Mr a...

John Scott: Con

Sandra White suggested that we produce Scottish legislation on the issue. Would that be within the competency of the Parliament?

The Convener: Lab

It would be.

John Scott: Con

Although it might not necessarily be effective.

The Convener: Lab

That is my concern. I think that, from a practical point of view, it would be very difficult to have effective legislation that covered Scotland only. The pe...

Ms White: SNP

As we all know, things have been happening at Westminster that affect Scotland, involving Sewel motions. Perhaps if we went it alone and legislated on the ma...

The Convener: Lab

They would be at liberty to do that but, as I say, that is for a later debate. The issue at the moment is what the Home Office is doing. We must identify tha...