Parliamentary questions
Jackie Baillie
9,397 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
4 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how, in the context of paragraphs 6.7 to 6.12 of the Scottish Ministerial Code, the Minister for Community Safety differentiated between the interests of two competing developers in Aviemore.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government has provided a full and frank account of why ministers considered it important, following representations made by a cross-party group of MSPs and others, including the constituency member, to check that there was no failure of due proc…
3 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is standard procedure not to take minutes of conversations between the Minister for Environment and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in relation to any planning application.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government does not have a corporate policy or standard procedures on minuting conversations.</p>
3 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive under what legislation a minister can seek to instruct a non-departmental public body on the basis of a telephone call in which the minister has neither sought nor received formal advice prior to making the call, showing the relevant section of such legislation.
Answer · Michael Russell: Ministerial powers of direction are specific to the organisations to which they apply and are normally contained in the relevant enabling legislation. The way in which directions can be invoked varies depending on the individual circumstances and context.</p>
3 Mar 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is standard procedure for a minister to call the chief executive of a non-departmental public body, such as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, to check that there are no misunderstandings with matters of process.
Answer · Michael Russell: It is within the scope of ministers'' duties to contact any non-departmental public body for which they are responsible, in appropriate circumstances and within the scope of the relevant legislation, to ensure there are no matters of process or procedure that…
28 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-9634 by Stewart Maxwell on 27 February 2008, whether any changes have been made to the policy of back charging customers with prepayment meters as a result of his meeting with Scottish Power.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9636 on 6 March 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…
20 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many times and on what dates any member of the Scottish Government has stayed overnight in the Marcliffe of Pitfodels Hotel in Aberdeen since May 2007, showing whether a (a) full or (b) discounted price was paid for each stay.
Answer · John Swinney: No Cabinet Secretary or Minister of the Scottish Government has stayed overnight in the Marcliffe of Pitfodels Hotel in Aberdeen since May 2007.</p>
20 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail each occasion on which the Minister for Community Safety made use of the Government Car Service during (a) October, (b) November and (c) December 2007.
Answer · John Swinney: The information requested is detailed below.</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td nowrap valign=bottom > <p align=center >Date</p> </td> <td nowrap valign=bottom > <p align=center >Collection Point</p> …
20 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all the official engagements which were undertaken by the Minister for Community Safety during (a) October, (b) November and (c) December 2007.
Answer · John Swinney: The information requested is listed below.</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <tr > <td valign=top > <p align=left >Tuesday, October 2, 2007</p> </td> <td valign=top > <p align=left >Meetings with officials</p> </td> </tr> …
8 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) individuals have responded to and (b) comments have been received by the National Conversation website.
Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-7812 on </a>10 January 2008.</p> <p >Users do not have to register to submit a comment in response to a blog, and can choose to remain anonymous. It is also possible for a user to make multiple comments. There…
7 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, as a result of its discussions with Scottish Power, backcharging for prepayment meter customers has been stopped.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I raised this issue with Scottish Power when I met with them on 17 December 2007. Scottish Power advises that they operate the same back-charging policy across the UK. They assure me that they make every effort to gain access to homes to recalibrate meters an…
7 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Communities and Sport has specifically discussed prepayment meters with Scottish Power.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to the answers to questions S3W-9634 and S3W-9636 on 27 February 2008 and 6 March 2008 respectively. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p…
7 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Communities and Sport last met Scottish Power and what issues were discussed.
Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I met with Scottish Power on 17 December 2007. A range of issues were discussed including the impact of high fuel prices and the initiatives Scottish Power is undertaking to mitigate their effects on vulnerable households, and its policies for back-charging …
4 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what sources of funding exist that enable teachers to undertake work exchange programmes abroad.
Answer · Maureen Watt: Both the League for the Exchange of Commonwealth Teachers (LECT) and the British Council provide opportunities for teachers to undertake work exchange programmes in Commonwealth countries and in the USA respectively.</p> <p >In addition, there are a wide of …
4 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what funding support it provided for the League for the Exchange of Commonwealth Teachers programme in (a) 2006-07 and (b) 2007-08.
Answer · Maureen Watt: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9435 on 29 February 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/weba…
4 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the benefits are of the League for the Exchange of Commonwealth Teachers programme.
Answer · Maureen Watt: Grant funding totalling £215,000 has been made available over the two years of 2006-07 and 2007-08 to The League for the Exchange of Commonwealth Teachers (LECT) to provide continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities for primary and secondary scho…
28 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive at what time and on what day the Minister for Environment spoke to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency regarding the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Donald Macdonald had an interest.
Answer · Michael Russell: I first spoke to the Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency during the morning of Friday 7 December 2007. I spoke to the Agency again, in the person of its Chief Executive, some hours later when he updated me on the issues in questions.…
28 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Environment took any advice from officials in his department or the Office of the Permanent Secretary on the appropriateness and advisability of speaking to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) about a then live planning application in Aviemore in whi…
Answer · Michael Russell: No. ministers are always aware of the need to conduct business in line with the ministerial code and to behave in an appropriate manner. In relation to the Aviemore planning applications, in the light of the representations received from parliamentarians from…
28 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the conversation between the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Minister for Environment regarding the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Donald Macdonald had an interest was arranged by the minister’s private secretary.
Answer · Michael Russell: My initial discussions with the Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency concerning the Aviemore planning applications were arranged by my Private Secretary.</p>
28 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why the Minister for Environment did not ask his private secretary or officials to have a conversation with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency with regard to the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Donald Macdonald had an interest and which had been the subject of represe…
Answer · Michael Russell: I had obtained advice from officials on the general position in relation to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency''s responses to the Aviemore planning applications. However, having received urgent representations from parliamentarians from four differen…
28 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the conversation between the Minister for Environment and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in relation to the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Donald Macdonald had an interest was a formal conversation by the minister in the conduct of his duties and who was …
Answer · Michael Russell: My discussions with the Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on 7 December 2007 in relation to the Aviemore planning applications were undertaken in the normal conduct of my duties. Nobody was present or listened in to these conversat…
28 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the conversation between the Minister for Environment and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in relation to the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Donald Macdonald had an interest was minuted and, if so, whether it will release the minute.
Answer · Michael Russell: No minute was taken of my conversations with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on 7 December 2007 in relation to the Aviemore planning applications.</p>
28 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministers considered using powers of direction over the Scottish Environment Protection Agency when considering the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Donald Macdonald had an interest.
Answer · Michael Russell: Scottish ministers did not consider using powers of direction over the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in relation to SEPA''s role as statutory consultee for the planning applications submitted by Aviemore Highland Resort Ltd.</p>
28 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it would be appropriate or normal for a minister to seek to instruct an independent non-departmental public body or other agency on the basis of a telephone call where the minister had neither sought nor received formal advice prior to making that call.
Answer · Michael Russell: Within the scope of relevant legislation and in appropriate circumstances, Scottish ministers have the ability to require a body to take a particular action or pursue a particular area of work. This ability is part of the long established framework of governa…
28 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures ministers would normally be expected to follow before considering any direction to an independent non-departmental public body or other agency.
Answer · Michael Russell: The procedures to be followed prior to ministers issuing any direction to a non-departmental public body or other public agency, including any requirement to consult affected parties or publish the direction, are normally set out in the relevant legislation.…
28 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministers have powers of direction over the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and, if so, whether these powers have ever been used and, in particular, in any planning matters.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish ministers have powers under various pieces of legislation to issue directions to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in relation to the exercise of its functions. These powers are used regularly and cover a range of matters falling within …
28 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions since May 2007 the Minister for Environment has raised with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency operational matters in relation to its independent statutory role in individual planning applications and in relation to which applications.
Answer · Michael Russell: I have never raised operational matters with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in relation to SEPA''s statutory role and advice on individual planning applications. I have, on occasion, discussed matters of process, procedure and timescales with SEPA…
28 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the accountability mechanisms are from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to ministers and what documents set out the relationship between ministers and SEPA.
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9056 on 25 February 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/weba…
28 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) or ministers that are responsible for advice to planning authorities on individual planning applications when SEPA is acting in its independent statutory role.
Answer · Michael Russell: As a statutory consultee in the planning process, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has responsibility for providing advice directly to planning authorities.</p>
28 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is accountable on a day-to-day basis to the board of SEPA for the operational decisions taken by staff of SEPA, or to ministers.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is accountable to SEPA''s board. SEPA''s board, like other non-departmental public bodies'' boards, is appointed by ministers and accountable to Scottish ministers. The precise nature of…
28 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has specific statutory responsibilities that it carries out in relation to planning matters and, if so, what these responsibilities are.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is a statutory consultee for developments identified under the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (Scotland) Order 1992, as amended, and for planning applications requiring environmental impact…