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News release

Parliament receives 1,000th public petition

4 October 2006

The students' petition calls on the Executive to look at the health impact of cheap alcohol.

History was made at the Scottish Parliament today when school pupils presented MSPs with the Public Petitions Committee's 1,000th petition.

Dilusha Pathirana, Roisin Craig and James McKee from All Saints Secondary School in Glasgow handed over the petition to committee convener Michael McMahon MSP.

The event was attended by Presiding Officer George Reid MSP, who was a member of the consultative steering group which determined the Parliament should have a Public Petitions Committee.

Innovative engagement

The pupils' petition calls on the Parliament to urge the Scottish Executive to investigate the public health impact of cheaply available alcohol.

Also present at the handover were past petitioners Chris Daly, who petitioned on institutional child abuse, and Diana Johnson from the Blairingone and Saline Action Group, who petitioned on the spreading of sewage sludge on agricultural land. See also: Public petitions - key facts.

As the petition was handed over at Holyrood, Michael MacMahon MSP said: "This is a very innovative way of engaging with the public. The agenda of this committee is set entirely by the public and I think that's one of the best things that it has in its favour.

"We can take petitions from individuals or from organisations who can command the support of thousands of people. Regardless of where the petition comes from, it's an important part of the parliamentary system."

International interest

James McKee, Roisin Craig and Dilusha Pathirana with convener Michael MacMahon MSP.

Presiding Officer George Reid said today:

"The interest being shown in the Petitions Committee by institutions outside Scotland is quite remarkable.

"The Bundestag in Germany has adopted our system, there is interest in Spain, and in the Assemblée Nationale in France. We are seen as world leaders in this area.

"It is a people's Parliament and people make a connection with us through the Petitions Committee.

"To have reached a thousand petitions, averaging more than 1,000 signatures each, and with one attracting more than 160,000 signatures, is remarkable."

The pupils from All Saint's Secondary will give evidence on their petition at the Public Petitions Committee's next meeting which will take place at the school in Glasgow on Monday 30 October.

See also: News release.