Current Petitions

PE966, PE990 and PE1041 are mainly to do with community leisure facilities and investment in swimming pools. They have been in the system for a long time: the most recent goes back to this time last year, but one goes as far back as June 2005. We have many papers to consider; the petitioners have been lobbying at various levels, not only here at the Parliament.The Health and Sport Committee is undertaking an inquiry into pathways into sport. I have been involved in the issue, and a key factor is that the range of facilities is uneven throughout Scotland. That can inhibit participation. Another key factor is the statistics on health. Robin Harper has consistently raised the issue of outdoor recreation centres, which he is very keen on.We should refer these three petitions to the Health and Sport Committee, to assist it with its inquiry. However, we could keep them open for our benefit.

Do members agree that the other committee would be the most appropriate one to deal with these petitions?

There is an opportunity. A major inquiry into a policy area is being undertaken by a committee. Substantive issues that petitioners have raised might be dealt with there.As has rightly been said, some questions thrown up by petitions are to do with local partnerships and commitments on investment. The answers are in the power of others. We are all in this together in Scotland—whether we are MSPs, councillors or petitioners. We have to raise the issue of sport as a tool for improving our country. There is a long way to go. We had brief hope after the Calcutta cup last week, but that hope was dashed again on the grass of Italy. There are highs and lows. That is my modest interpretation of events last Saturday, as opposed to my immodest contribution to 80 minutes of football.