Parliament Workbench
Data: Official Report to 12 Nov 2026

Official Report · Committee

Current Petitions

Broken Glass (PE986)

Tuesday 13 May 2008 Public Petitions Committee Petitions 8 contributions · 4 speakers

Speakers

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The record

8 contributions
Frank McAveety Lab The Convener · Glasgow Shettleston
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The next item is discussion of current petitions. The first is PE986, by primary 6/7 of Woodlands primary school, which calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to take greater action to protect the public, domestic and non-domestic birds and animals from the dangers of broken glass; to promote the use of plastic bottles as an alternative to glass; and to introduce a refundable deposit scheme that is aimed at reducing the amount of broken glass in public places. The petition's aim is similar to that of PE1145, which we have just discussed. We have received background information on the issues and we have seen the petition before. Do members have any strong views on how we should deal with it?We have had a response from the Government, but there are a couple of issues that we may want to pursue further, such as how it will tackle the problem of broken glass and how that combines with its broader message about anti social behaviour and the environment. Do members want to pursue the matter further with the relevant authorities?

John Farquhar Munro LD Ross, Skye and Inverness West
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Environmentally, the petition has a lot of merit. Various schemes are being promoted, but they do not seem to be developing into a national effort. I think that we should pursue the matter, but where should we apply the pressure, convener?

Frank McAveety Lab The Convener · Glasgow Shettleston
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We need to get some clarity from the Government about what it intends to do. The problem is systemic and our role needs to be in partnership with local government because it has direct responsibility for cleansing and waste disposal. We want to fit in with the broader debate around outcomes and pledges to reduce waste and to ensure a tidier and cleaner environment. That is probably the best advice that I can give you until we get a response.

Angela Constance SNP Livingston
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I agree, but we should not forget the point that the petition originally made about children having safe places to play. It is not unreasonable to seek some sort of clarity from the Government about whether it will or can pursue that by raising awareness.

Frank McAveety Lab The Convener · Glasgow Shettleston
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I am happy to ask for that as well. We will accept those recommendations.

Nanette Milne Con North East Scotland
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Is this an issue for an organisation such as the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, given that local government is now much more autonomous and is, as the convener said, responsible for cleansing?

Frank McAveety Lab The Convener · Glasgow Shettleston
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That would be worth doing, partly because COSLA has policy conveners who respond to the Scottish Government's or the UK Government's direction of travel, and who set the broad template for how local government can respond to waste or other issues in respect of the built environment and quality of life. It is not unreasonable to raise the matter with COSLA, which might tell us about positive action that councils are taking and which we might like to become uniform throughout Scotland.

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