Parliamentary questions

Jackie Baillie

9,397 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Environment Protection Agency is intended to operate independently of ministers in its day-to-day operational role and in relation to individuals and casework, albeit within a framework of policies and priorities agreed by ministers.

Answer · Michael Russell: All non-departmental public bodies are required to work to, and be aware of, the Scottish Government''s strategic priorities and objectives. They operate with a degree of independence and flexibility in areas of work where direct hands on control would be ina…

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what protects the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s operational independence in the conduct of its statutory duties.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Environment Act 1995 and the Management Statement for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) set out the relationship under which SEPA operates.

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Chief Planner had any contact with Cairngorm National Park Authority planning officials concerning the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Donald Macdonald had an interest; if so, when such discussions took place and what issues were discussed.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Chief Planner was copied into, and acknowledged, an e-mail from the Head of Planning at Cairngorms National Park Authority to the Head of the Landscapes and Habitats Division (in his role as sponsor for the national park authority) on 7 December 2007. Thi…

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Chief Planner or any other Scottish Government official had any contact with Mr Donald Macdonald or his representatives during which discussion took place on the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Macdonald had an interest; if so, on what dates and what issues were d…

Answer · Michael Russell: Neither the Chief Planner nor any Scottish Government official has met Mr Donald Macdonald or his representatives to discuss the proposed development in Aviemore.

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the First Minister or any other minister raised issues with the Chief Planner or any other Scottish Government official in relation to the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Donald Macdonald had an interest; if so, what issues were raised and when.

Answer · Michael Russell: Between 29 November and 14 December 2007, the First Minister, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and I raised various issues with officials including the Chief Planner in the Scottish Government about the facts surrounding letters received from parliamen…

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any minister raised issues with any public agency which had a locus in the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Donald Macdonald had an interest, following representations received from Mr Macdonald, his representatives or others to the First Minister and, if so, which age…

Answer · Michael Russell: I met the Convenor and the Chief Executive of the Cairngorms National Park Authority on 5 December 2007 to discuss their plans for taking forward the business of the authority over the coming year. In the course of this meeting the convenor referred to the si…

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any minister raised issues with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency about the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Donald Macdonald had an interest; if so, on what dates, whether any Scottish Government officials or special advisers were present at these discussions…

Answer · Michael Russell: I contacted the Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on 7 December 2007 to ascertain if there were any misunderstandings or matters of process within SEPA that were unnecessarily holding up proper consideration of the planning applica…

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the First Minister has had any discussions with special advisers following and concerning any issues raised by Mr Donald Macdonald or his representatives or others on his behalf; with which special advisers such discussions took place, and on what dates.

Answer · Michael Russell: The First Minister has had discussions on a number of occasions with special adviser Kevin Pringle on various dates since 25 January 2008 in relation to media enquiries concerning the Aviemore planning applications.

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the First Minister has had with other ministers following and concerning any issues raised by Mr Donald Macdonald or his representatives or others on his behalf in respect of a planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Macdonald had an interest.

Answer · Michael Russell: On 6 December 2007, the First Minister discussed with the Minister for Community Safety the letters received from cross-party parliamentarians about the Aviemore planning applications and sought information on the background to the issue from Mr Ewing as cons…

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any ministers have met representatives of Mr Donald Macdonald where reference has been made to the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Macdonald had an interest.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Minister for Community Safety, acting in his capacity as constituency MSP, met with representatives of Mr Donald Macdonald on a number of occasions. Th Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism met respresentatives of Mr Macdonald in Aviemore…

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any special advisers have met or had any conversations with Mr Donald Macdonald or his representatives concerning, or during which reference was made to, a planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Macdonald had an interest.

Answer · Michael Russell: Special advisers contacted the communications officer for Mr Macdonald''s company on 27 January 2008 as a courtesy to make him aware of a statement made in response to newspaper articles.

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any ministers have met or had conversations with Mr Donald Macdonald since May 2007 and on what dates and at what locations.

Answer · Michael Russell: The First Minister met Mr Donald Macdonald in Aviemore on 26 October 2007. Mr Macdonald welcomed Mr Salmond to the SNP Conference at the entrance to the conference. The meeting lasted a few seconds, was fully within public view and was filmed for television.<…

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executivewhether, during any discussions the First Minister has had with Mr Donald Macdonald, Mr Macdonald raised any concerns about the Scottish Environment Protection Agency with regard to the planning application in Aviemore in which he had an interest.

Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9041 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, during any discussions the First Minister has had with Mr Donald Macdonald, the issue of the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Macdonald had an interest was ever raised and formed any part of such discussions.

Answer · Michael Russell: The First Minister has had no discussions with Mr Donald Macdonald about the Aviemore planning applications.

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates the First Minister has met or had conversations with Mr Donald Macdonald since becoming First Minister and what the location was of any such meetings.

Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9043 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 what matters were discussed by the Minister for Environment with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency regarding the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Donald Macdonald had an interest and what action the minister requested.

Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9048 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 on what day and at approximately what time of day the First Minister spoke to the Minister for Environment regarding the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Donald Macdonald had an interest; whether any others were present during that conversation and, if so, which individuals, …

Answer · Michael Russell: The First Minister discussed the Aviemore planning applications with me on 7 December 2007, at approximately 12.40 hours. The Principal Private Secretary to the First Minister was present during this conversation. The discussion centred on the representation…

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which (a) MSPs and (b) MPs made representations on the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Donald Macdonald had an interest; in what form such representations were made; on what dates each written representation was made; on what dates and at what times they arrived in the First …

Answer · Michael Russell: Representations concerning the Aviemore planning applications were received in the First Minister''s Office from: - Mary Scanlon MSP in a letter dated 6 December 2007, delivered by hand and received electronically on 6 December, and notified to the …

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the First Minister met any objectors to the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Donald Macdonald had an interest and, if so, on what dates.

Answer · Michael Russell: No.

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether in discussing with the Chief Planner any issue relating to the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Donald Macdonald had an interest, the First Minister made it clear in what capacity he was acting.

Answer · Michael Russell: In requesting information from the Chief Planner, the First Minister was acting in his ministerial capacity.

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of the work of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) relating to aspects of the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Donald Macdonald had an interest could be said to have been completed more quickly than could normally be expected for similar tasks, follow…

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency prioritises responses to planning consultations primarily according to environmental risk, but also takes into account sustainable development considerations. To meet planning authorities'' deadlines, SEPA will also …

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the advice from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to the Cairngorm National Park Authority changed shortly before the National Park Planning Committee was due to consider a planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Donald Macdonald had an interest and, if so, on what d…

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) withdrew its objection to the planning application for the development of the Horse Field site at Aviemore on 12 December 2007. SEPA was able to withdraw its objection after it had completed its review of the …

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Chief Planner considered calling in the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Donald Macdonald had an interest.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Chief Planner considered that a call in would not have been appropriate.

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Chief Planner involved himself or any of his staff in discussions on, or raised issues with any of the statutory agencies involved in, the planning application in Aviemore in which Mr Donald Macdonald had an interest, prior to the First Minister receiving any representations o…

Answer · Michael Russell: No.

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the delay in answering the freedom of information requests submitted by me on (a) 9, (b) 11, (c) 19 and (d) 20 December 2007.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-8096 on 22 January 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are onthe Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search">h…

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer the freedom of information requests submitted by me on 20 December 2007.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-8096 on 22 January 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer the freedom of information requests submitted by me on 19 December 2007.

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer the freedom of information requests submitted by me on 11 December 2007.

28 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer the freedom of information requests submitted by me on 9 December 2007.

24 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what legislative obligations are placed on (a) local authorities and (b) the Scottish Government for the provision of education.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The provision of educationin Scotland, from nursery education through to highereducation, is the subject of a wide range of primary and secondary legislation.