Petitions

We move to petition PE381, which was lodged by Thomas Campbell on behalf of the Transport and General Workers Union and Unison. The petition calls for the Scottish Parliament to examine the Scottish Ambulance Service's proposals to close five of its eight operations rooms. The Public Petitions Committee considered responses from the Scottish Ambulance Service and from the minister and it agreed to refer petition PE381 to the Health and Community Care Committee for our consideration. Members have a copy of the responses.On 19 September, the Public Petitions Committee decided to note the petition and to ask the Audit Committee whether it would take action. The Public Petitions Committee also agreed to await the outcome of discussions between the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Ambulance Service. The Audit Committee has informed the Public Petitions Committee clerks that it is being kept updated on the progress of the Executive's consideration of the Scottish Ambulance Service's business plan. The Executive's most recent consideration of that business plan was on 4 September.Members might be interested to note that the Audit Committee's report on the Scottish Ambulance Service was published last year, but it was not debated in the Parliament. The Audit Committee is keeping a watching brief on the matter.

Do members agree to consider petition PE381 at a future meeting and to note that the Audit Committee is keeping an eye on the petition's progress?Members indicated agreement.