Three members' bills seek public support

Three MSPs seeking to introduce their own Holyrood bills have opened consultations this month to gauge the level of support for their plans.

Graham Simpson, Conservative member for Central Scotland, proposes to establish standard missives for the sale of new-build homes, including redress for purchasers in respect of defects in construction. He wants to tackle the lack of statutory redress for buyers of new-build property if there is a serious defect in the property. "It is astounding that in 21st century Scotland, we have more rights if a kettle is defective than if a new-build home is defective", he states in the foreword to his consultation. Click here to access. Responses are due by 27 June 2019.

Jackie Baillie, Labour member for Dumbarton, proposes a Wheelchairs (Short-term access) (Scotland) Bill, to ensure the provision of wheelchairs to anyone assessed as needing one on a short-term, as well as a long-term, basis. She explains that if you have a long-term mobility need, of more than six months, the NHS will provide you with a wheelchair if you need one, but if your need is shorter term, such as someone discharged from hospital, there is no duty on the NHS, or any other public body, to address this mobility problem, so that such patients are forced either to pay for a wheelchair out of their own pocket, despite only needing it for a short period, or rely on being able to access wheelchairs provided by charities. "Creating a statutory duty to provide short-term access to wheelchairs where it is appropriate to do so is a relatively small change, but it is one that can make a real difference to people’s lives", she states. Click here to access her consultation, which closes on 30 June 2019.

Most recently, Rona Mackay, SNP member for Strathkelvin & Bearsden, has begun seeking views on her proposed bill to increase protection for victims of stalking by giving police the power to apply for stalking protection orders on behalf of victims. She believes that few individuals who are being stalked are applying to the court for a non-harassment order against their stalker, due to the cost and stress involved, and while prosecutors can apply for an order once a stalker has been convicted, cases take time to investigate and prosecute, "leaving the victim to navigate a civil action at a particularly vulnerable time". She wishes to allow the police to apply directly to the court for a stalking protection order, on evidence of stalking behaviour and that they believe there is a risk to the victim. Click here to access her consultation, which closes on 21 July 2019.