My petition was closed on the 8th March 2016, after the following consideration by the Public Petition’s Committee:
I was naturally disappointed.
I was invited by the Scottish Parliament to give feedback. This is what I said:
Thinking about the process that your petition went through, how fairly do you think your petition was dealt with?
Firstly I am impressed with how well organised and structured the PPC is. There are many petitions (a growing number?) and without the Clerks I cannot imagine that the committee members and Convener would manage to cope.
Secondly I am impressed that the PPC meetings are all recorded and archived both by Parliamentary TV and full verbatim Minutes. This is most commendable
My petition PE1493 was not fairly managed. The reasons are as follows:
(1) Apart from the initial opportunity to present my petition and engage directly with the committee there were no further opportunities to directly engage with the committee
(2) This lack of direct engagement deprives the public of consideration of the further evidence and correspondence collected by the PPC. Not once were any of the responses to PE1493 discussed publically in any detail by the PPC.
(3) Following my initial presentation of PE1493, all PPC meetings considering my petition were very short indeed. Many of them under a minute and the most common outcome was “the PPC will write to the Scottish Government”
(4) A huge amount of responsibility falls the way of the Senior Clerk and the Clerk’s team. Given this, and that this is a Committee for the public, who have elected the MSPs on the committee, it would seem important for the committee to acknowledge this. It would be helpful to set out clearly the qualifications and responsibilities of the Clerk and the line-management system, and system of appeal for any petitioner or member of public. Otherwise the PPC risks being considered undemocratic.
(5) As Petitioner for PE1493, in being asked to provide evidence from Scotland, to substantiate the request to consider legislation for healthcare workers and academics to declare financial conflicts of interest, I found myself in an impossible position. For example one piece of evidence, with full supporting material (film and the RCPsych approved power-point presentations of the academics) was refused publication by the PPC. In fact the PPC members, to my knowledge, never saw the letter. The decision not to publish was made by the Clerk based on Parliamentary Guidelines. I fully respect the right of the Scottish Parliament to determine what it publishes. However I feel very strongly that without this evidence (repeatedly asked for by the PPC, Scottish Government, and the Cabinet Minister for Health) that PE1493 could not be properly and meaningfully considered.
(6) PE1493 was closed. This was the deliberation of that decision of the PPC of 8th March 2016:
“There is stunned silence.”
My petition for a Sunshine Act for Scotland was “minded” for closure by one of the members repeating what had been recorded by the Clerk in the papers for the meeting, that being:
“PE1493 by Peter John Gordon on a Sunshine Act for Scotland. To close the petition, under Rule 15.7, on the basis that the Scottish Government has committed to review the need for updated guidance on what the petition calls for and is consulting on the issue to gather views on what format it should take.”
My petition specifically asked for legislation because of the complete failure of previous guidance to be followed.
What did you hope to achieve by submitting your petition?
For a Sunshine Act to be introduced. For Scotland to lead the way in the UK.
To reduce harm caused by bias introduced into science by financial vested interests.
To address overmedicalisation and harmful misdirection of finite resources.
How do you feel about the outcomes?
Proud that I was brave enough and had sufficient stamina to pursue this petition.
Grateful that this Petition has encouraged wider discussion.
Disappointed that the Public Consultation did not explain to the consultees that existing Scottish Government Guidance has failed across our nation for more than 13 years. The information provided to the Consultees was drawn up by the Scottish Government.
Disappointed that PE1493 was closed based on the misunderstanding that PE1493 “called for updated guidance”
In conclusion:
The Scottish Parliament could have done more to hold the Scottish Government to account.
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