BSCG Questions Rhoda Grant MSP

 

Cairngorms National Park debate

Questions from BSCG to one of our Scottish Labour list MSP are asked in the letter copied below.

In an article on the latest developments over the Cairngoms National Park in the local Strathy newspaper BSCG's Convener  has been quoted as saying "Unprincipled politicians who are more interested in advancing their own careers than serving the interests of their constituents have a lot of explaining to do"

BSCG was also  descibed in the article as "scathing about the length of time allowed in the Scottish Parliament for debate on the Cairngorms National Park" and supportive of the prospect of a judicial review "with witnesses under oath" to "show up what one MSP has described as a deal between the forces of government and the Highland Mafia"

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Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group

Fiodhag, Nethybridge, Inverness-shire PH25 3DJ

  19th December 2002

Dear Rhoda Grant,

Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group is a local voluntary group that has long recognised the potential value for both conservation and community interests of a National Park for the Cairngorms area. Before the last election, we welcomed the Scottish Labour party manifesto commitment to put in place a proper system for the management of areas of outstanding natural beauty, which is both tailored to Scottish circumstances and consistent with the highest international standards. I am writing to you in relation to what we view as the unnecessary and deeply regrettable failure of the parliament to deliver on this manifesto commitment for the Cairngorms area.  

You were present with some other MSPs, including colleagues on the Rural Development Committee (RDC), at a meeting in Edinburgh addressed by Councillor Barnacle of Perth and Kinross. At that meeting Dr Robin Pellew, Chief Executive of the National Trust for Scotland, explained why it is considered that the proposals in the Cairngorms National Park designation order fall significantly short of the international standards required to qualify the Cairngorms area for World Heritage Site status. Dr Pellew drew attention to the illogical exclusion of those parts of Perthshire that SNH had recommended be included within the National Park. Others with considerable international experience have also drawn attention to this. As a member of the Rural Development Committeee in Kingussie, you voted for the inclusion within the Cairngorms National Park of all areas recommended by SNH, including parts of north Perthshire, and also for inclusion of the parish of Laggan. BSCG welcomed this (and would liked to have seen you support the inclusion of all the district of Badenoch and Strathspey).  

In the Scottish parliament you later voted differently. Could you please explain to us what your reasons were for changing your views?  

Could you also please tell us why you failed to support the emergency motion put forward by RDC Vice Convener Fergus Ewing MSP, to allow for a debate longer than nine minutes on the Cairngorms National Park?  

You will understand that I may wish to make this correspondence public.  

I thank you in advance for your attention, and for responding to the above two questions.

 Yours sincerely  

(Dr) Gus Jones

(Convener)

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