The submissions made to the Commission have been sorted into order and are listed with comments.
In particular scroll down to "Other People", and select "Nigel Smith". He was one of the people who "designed the operational structure of the Scottish Parliament" [NOT, dare we say it, that he was involved in the design of the building].
The Scottish Parliamentary Reform Website is https://test123582.wordpress.com/
Our comments are shown for each one below. The number [00] indicates the number of the submission allocated by the Commission. We have bolded the author of those submissions which we deem to be well worth a read. Actual excerpts from the submission are shown in Italics.
If as an author of one of these papers, you would like to make some comment, please send it to the
About The report
The report was published on Tuesday 20 June 2017, and is over 100 pages long: click here to read it.
It contains the string "account" which is included in such words or phrases as "accountability" and "hold to account" 47 times.
Nevertheless it is still impossible to get a straight answer to simple question from not only some MSP's but also from senior officials in the administration.
The papers submitted, upon which the report is apparently based, are listed below.
MSPs, MPs, et al
Members of the Scottish Parliament
Joe Fitzpatrick, MSP [45]
Observations on the Attendance on Committees in a 2 page letter
Patrick Harvie, MSP [93]
4 page letter on Representation on Committees - Commentary on process
Margaret McDougall, MSP [9]
1 page letter on Briefings
Communication should be in plain language . . . .
John Mason, MSP [66]
An excellent review in the manner requested in a 3 page letter which follows the guidelines.
- A step backwards that committees have increased in size to 11.
- The key issue is how independently minded individual MSPs actually are.
Edward Mountain MSP [34]
3 page letter - Comments on Committees
Difficult to get a unanimous decision.
Mike Rumbles MSP [18]
1 page paper - Comments on Reforming the voting system
Two tier distinction between Constituency [FTFP] and List [AMS].
Alexander Stewart MSP [44]
2 page paper on Checks and Balances - Observations ...
Pete Wishart MP, Chair of the Scottish Affairs Select Committee [99]
2 page letter on Cross Party Committees<
Introduce a new committee type: Scrutiny - Sensible suggestion
Former Members of the Scotish Parliament
Cameron Buchanan, Former MSP [14]
Informal 1 page note on Committees
most of us felt we were becoming a one party state
Lord Selkirk of Douglas PC QC, Former MP [2]
2 page letter on Committees - Comments
Committees not fulfilling their purpose checking the power of the executive..
Dorothy-Grace Elder, Former MSP [37]
5 page paper on Parliamentary Business - Comments
- The "closed door" Party Business system encourages tribalism.
- MSPs seem really scared not to toe the party line.
Alex Fergusson, Former MSP [100]
1 page paper with a Comparison to New Zealand
Fewer MSP’s working longer hours
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock, MSP [33]
2 page paper on Scrutiny - Follows Guidelines
Principal duty of Parliament to ensure effective scrutiny of both Ministers and Civil Servants.
Jim Mather, Former MSP [13]
Informal 1 page letter on System Tampering
A lot lost in translation as the various rapporteurs gave their version of what was said and agreed
Dr Ian McKee MBE, Former MSP [12]
A 3 page paper on Health matters - Lack of Scrutiny
Once Parliamentary Liaison Officer to Nicola Sturgeon MSP
Rt. Hon. Lord Jack McConnell, Former MSP [57]
2 page paper on Fine tuning Scotland's Parliament
- Needs Improvements after 17 years,
- Ruling Party is too strong.
- Need for the Scottish Parliament to scrutinise Ministers.
Rt. Hon. Henry McLeish, Former MSP [58]
3 page paper on Shaping Scotland's Parliament - some Questions
Continues on from December 1998
Graeme Pearson, Former MSP [15]
1 page on Informal notes about Answers to written questions
difficulties MSPs face trying to obtain straight answers to written questions
Committes and Commissions etc
Audit Scotland [82]
An excellent 9 page paper on the workings of Audit Scotland, with some excellent suggestions which follows the guidelines.
- Most public bodies find engaging with communities challenging.
- Not a full understanding of the different roles of the Scottish Government, Parliament and local government.
Commission on Highland Democracy [23]
5 pages of comments on Communities
- Communities should be able to make local decisions for themselves.
- Communities to take over complete control of services.
Scottish Human Rights Commission [32]
A 12 page paper on Human Rights, introducing the Belgrade Principles
Everyone wishes that their Human Rights are respected.
Convener's Group [46]
2 page letter about Timings of Committee meetings - some observations ...
Cross Party Group on Racial Equality in Scotland [67]
A meaningless 1 page report on a questionnaire to 15 people on Visiting Parliament one way or another...
Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee [28]
A 1 page letter on Committee Operation
Committee finds itself restricted in its ability to hold in-depth discussions with key witnesses.
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee [30]
A 4 page letter on Scrutiny of legislation - Structured Comment
Annual report as a means ofholding the Scottish Government to account.
Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee [29]
A 4 page letter about Committee Operation
Avoid duplication of Scottish Government work streams
Equalities and Human Rights Committee [27]
A 4 page letter commenting on Committee Operation
The Committee has begun to expand its knowledge of human rights.
Regulatory Review Group [40]
A 2 page letter on Regulation: Review of Acts - Ignores Guidelines
Create legislation right first time.
Scottish Labour Parliamentary Group [87]
A 3 page paper on Procedure - Urgent Questions - Structured Commentary
- Lack of Open, Honest, Truthful statements by Ministers.
- Improving the overall quality of debate.
- Government ministers regularly avoid giving detailed answers to MSPs
SNP Parliamentary Group [79]
A 3 page letter. A nonsense gabble on the SNP because ...
Misreads the guidelines: e.g. not Parliament & Government but Scotland and Westminster.
Servants of the State
Parliamentary Counsel Office, Scottish Government [59]
A paper which introduces the 116 page “Guidance on drafting legislation”.
- Ignores Guidelines
- An Explanatory Document which would make an ISO 9001 Procedure.
Scottish Parliament Officials [60]
An 11 page paper on The legislative process which iIgnores Guidelines but is just an Explanatory Document
Would make an ISO 9001 Procedure.
Alasdair McCaluim [22]
A 2 page paper suggesting that Parliament speak Gaelic
Why not ? Lowland Scots, or the Hieland version ?
Andrew Mylne [97]
A 3 page paper on Committees, Symbols, Operational Improvements - speakers time,
- Avoid any sort of tick-box approach, and instead to engage appropriately with whoever is best-placed.
- Often-sterile confrontation and tribalism.
Trade Union Side in the Scottish Parliament [70]
A 2 page paper on “Us - The clerks”
- Partially follows Guidelines
- More about tick boxes, and not enough staff to hold pencils.
Television Coverage
Legal Bodies
Scottish Law Commission [5]
A 2 page paper citing that Law reform needs to be continuous which Follows Guidelines
If law becomes out of date, public confidence is eroded.
The Law Society of Scotland [1]
On Legislation, a 15 page paper [5 are Data] - Follows Guidelines - Good comments
- The independent mechanism for electing Committee Chairs in the UK Parliament has strengthened the Select Committee process.
- A Bill should also be accompanied by a regulatory impact assessment
Learned Societies, Persons, etc
Learned Societies
RSA Fellows in Scotland [104]
A 5 page paper on Structural Reform - Comments
- Worth a read.
- Some good ideas.
The Royal Society of Edinburgh [11]
A 9 page paper on Underpinning Principles which Follows Guidelines, with Analysis
- The Commission may wish to reflect on whether these principles are met.
- It is important to stress that inadequate fiscal scrutiny can be hugely costly, both financially and politically.
- There is a strong argument that the Scottish Parliament simply does not have the capacity to hold the Government to account effectively.
Learned Persons
Prof. Cristina Leston-Bandeira [24]
A 5 page paper on Models for Public Engagement - Structured Comments
Public engagement is still a very new activity for Parliament.
Professor Sarah Childs [55]
A 2 page paper that submits “The Good Parliament” Research
Really for the UK Govt
Dr Oliver Escobar [20]
A structured 4 page paper on Democratic innovations in public engagement.
- Are we creating inclusive processes where everyone has an equal chance to participate and influence?
- Are we fostering empowered processes?
Dr Marc Geddes and Professor James Mitchell [102]
A 9 page paper on Enhancing Scrutiny
- Structured Commentary
- The introduction of elected conveners, & a parallel chamber
Professor Michael Keating [56]
A 2 page paper on Devolved Parliaments in Europe, Electoral System and Power
Consequence of ‘parliamentary’ model is dominance by the executive.
Prof. Nicola McEwan [50]
A page paper commenting on Parliamentary Oversight
Whether the Scottish Parliament requires a revising chamber.
Prof. Alan Page [49]
A 2 page paper on Change in Parliament - Structured Comment
The Conveners Group’s programme for change emerged as more about securing favourable media coverage
John Sturrock KC [8]
A 4 page paper on Training in Advocacy and Consensus Skilled Commentary
- Lead to inadequate accountability, scrutiny
- “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” Albert Einstein
Accountability Scotland
Accountability Scotland [73]
An 8 page paper on Lack of Administrative Justice
- Structured Commentary
- Use of ISO 9001
- The recommendation was ignored by the justice directorate.
- Administrative justice is far larger than either criminal or civil justice.
John Colledge [41]
A 3 page paper on Brunstane Bank & Planning - Generally Follows Guidelines
- Getting the run-around.
- MSPs won’t engage with the people.
- The LGRC have a history of refusing to hold the SPSO to account.
Dr John Hinton [47]
A 1 page list of petitions and failures
MSPs on the Petitions Committee can be misled
Dr Niall MacKinnon [91]
A 6 page structured commentary on Lack of Accountability in State Education.
- State power in Scotland is primarily wielded by quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations.
- The problem lies in mandated diktat.
- The SPSO farce of 7th Jan 2015 - see Page 4 of submission.
Eur Ing Richard Townsend-Rose [69]
A 3 page paper on Abuse of Process regarding Water Charges and Misuse of Court by a State owned Company
- Follows Guidelines
- Failings of the SPSO
- Illustrates the difficulties that are often encountered by members of the public in trying to engage parliament and government.
- Methodology used by the Administration to thwart the Elected Members.
Minorities and Disabled etc
Culture Counts [6]
A 2 page paper on No clear representation. Follows Guidelines
Role of the Committees is to hold Ministers to account but it is not always clear how this works in practice.
Scottish Disability Equality Forum [4]
A 7 page paper on Inequality of Representation - Follows Guidelines. A second 15 page submission with simple answers.
- Yes, with LGBT community, Gaelic community and cyclists with large budgets. No to the rest.
- Government do not listen to professional sources; e.g. airguns.
- Slanging matches and nasty comments detract from serious debate and should not be allowed.
The Equality Network [25]
A 4 page paper on LGBTI [Omits neutered persons] - Follows Guidelines
Under the Scotland Act the courts can overturn or amend Scottish Parliament legislation
GCVS, SCOD and VAS [96]
A 15 page paper on Human Rights [and where is my state salary & pension ? ]
- Comment on [lack of] Human Rights in State run Voluntary Organisations
- Mentions the UNGP. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Guiding_Principles_on_Business_and_Human_Rights
Unite Scotland [101]
A 1 page paper on Human Rights & UNGP - Ignores Guidelines
- In support of the paper from GCVS, SCOD and VAS
- The SPCB should be delivery agent for Scotland’s National Action Plan on Human Rights (SNAP)
Inclusion Scotland [81]
A 5 page paper on Proportionate Representation & Employment. - Follows Guidelines
Comments by the disabled for the disabled.
Lochaber Disability Access Panel [84]
A 6 page paper on Disinterest in remote regional areas. Follows Guidelines
- Leave 0603, return 2355, for 90 minutes. This prevents any meaningful discussion on any issue.
- Many of the public see the Government and Parliament as being one entity.
- Absolutely no accountability in the Parliament or the Local Authorities Unachievable legislation is meaningless.
Coalition for Racial Equalities and Rights [3]
An 8 page paper on The Good Parliament. Follows Guidelines
- Additional funding could be allocated to SPICe to bring in independent experts.
- Improve scrutiny by committees.
- Change the structure of debates.
Scottish Women’s Convention [38]
A 5 page paper on Women. Follows Guidelines
The Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government seen as “one and the same”
Other Organisations
ICAS [48]
A 3 page letter on Scrutinising and challenging legislation.
- Structured Comment
- Prohibiting the appointment of Committee Chairs from the Party in Government.
- Some good new ideas.
Action for Children [80]
A 3 page paper on Disadvantaged Children - Partially follows Guidelines
Not all of its service users and staff were aware of, or even understood, the difference between the Scottish Parliament and Government.
The Church of Scotland [85]
A 4 page paper on Involvement of the people with Parliament.
- Follows Guidelines
- Confusion between responsibilities of MPs, MSPs and local government
Alistair Stoddart, The Democratic Society [63]
An 8 page paper on Potential for digital engagement - Guidelines unsuitable
Digital haves and have nots.
Dr Andy Williamson, Democratise [64]
A 10 page paper on Digital and Social technologies - Guidelines unsuitable
Insufficient knowledge among staff key challenge use digital effectively.
Scottish Environment LINK [76]
A 5 page paper on Environmental Concern Legislation & Committees
- Some good points made
- Legislative programme of the Scottish Parliament dominated by measures proposed Government
Evangelical Alliance [71]
A 3 page paper on Christians and Scotland - Follows Guidelines
- Parliament is unaware of the valuable work undertaken by the Christian community.
- Difficult for the electorate to de-select an MSP with a high enough party position.
Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland [95]
A 15 page paper on Freedom of Information in a Human Rights context.
- A good review of FOI status in Scotland - More of a history lesson.
- Does not follow the guidelines.
- A culture of openness cannot be simply measured by compliance with FoISA and the EIR(S)s.
- Scottish Parliament has not pro-actively audited compliance.
GoWell Panel [42]
A 3 page paper on Social Housing in Glasgow Paper - Answers Items 1 to 3
A thank you from what is in effect adisability group.
Scottish Federation of Housing Associations [88]
A 6 page paper on Housing and Objectives, Overly complex committee system and law making process.
- Partially follows guidelines
- Scottish Parliament and trying to influence its scrutiny of the Scottish Government.
Involve [54]
A 2 page paper on Practice of public participation
- Ignores Guidelines
- Who do MSPs need to hear from?
Moray Estates Development Company [62]
A 1 page letter on Submissions - Oral & Written Letter - Ignores Guidelines
General disinclination to take on board views which were contrary to government [SNP] policy.
The North East Multi Agency Chief Executive Forum [92]
A 7 page paper on Coordination of Local Government, Accountability to the Integrated Joint Boards.
- Structured Commentary - Full of Jargon
- As an example for better co-ordinating pre-legislative work, the group would highlight the cross organisational and sectoral issue of preventing inequality and reducing demand for public services.
Scottish Older Peoples Assembly [26]
A 1 page paper on Interaction - Structured Comments
- No impression that the MSPs will take issues forward to government for action.
- If one says black the other feels obliged to say white.
PAS [Planning Advisers] [90]
A 2 page paper on Planning - Objective & Process
- Answers Item 1
- More a marketing document than anything else.
Association for Scottish Public Affairs [77]
A 3 page paper: An advert for Scotland ?
- Partially follows Guidelines
- Improve the quality and enactment of legislation in Scotland.
Scottish Public Youth Parliament [105]
A 5 page paper: Maybe best described as "how to lower the voting age" ?
Sir Bernard Crick Centre, University of Sheffield [98]
A 2 page paper on Developing a culture and approach to public engagement
- Summary Answers Items 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8
- Public Engagement a must
- Quality of scrutiny and not quantity
Chartered Institute of Taxation [65]
A 2 page letter submitting a 65 page report: Better Budgets: making tax policy better.
- Ignores Guidelines
- A previously published Research Report about budgets in Britain.
National Assembly for Wales [21]
Two 5 page papers on Empowerment by Innovation, and Engagement
- Structured Comments
- Increased the number of people contributing to Assembly business.
- Making government more accountable to the Assembly and the people of Wales
Young Scot [53]
A 3 page paper on Communication with young people acquiring the vote.
- Ignores Guidelines
- In the spaces they operate, in a format that they understand, and in a context that is relevant.
Other People
Anonymous [89]
A 1 page paper on Some ideas on engagement.
Charles Barrington [68]
A 1 page paper on Use of Community Councils Paper - Comments on three items
Noted that Community Councils are generally a collective of self appointed do-gooders.
Francis Berry [31]
A 2 page letter on Air Rifles:
Complaint that a FOI to SPCB on advice to the Presiding Officer refused.
Alistair Bonnington [19]
A 6 page paper on Generic Behaviour of MSP’s Paper 6
- Structured Comments
- behave like 5 year olds in the Chamber
- SNP MSPs are "Stepford Wives"
- Trust in politicians in democracies is at all time low
John Cawley [17]
A 3 page paper on Lobbying, and Scrutiny
- Follows Guidelines
- An over powerful executive and a legislature failing in its duty to scrutinise and hold the executive to account.
- A former SNP minister resigned as a minister and took a position with Message Matters, a lobbying company run by a former Conservative MP
Dr James Gilmour [36]
A 5 page paper on Voting System - AMS to STV-PR
- Structured Comment
- MSP’s allow parties’ interests to displace the interests of the voters.
- Electors do not properly understand the purpose of the two votes in AMS
Vince Handley [75]
A 3 page letter Submitting two poems
- Homeland;
- Wasteland
James W Hunter [39]
A 5 page paper on Chamber Operation
- Important matters which need intense scrutiny do not get the attention they deserve.
- The replies by the First Minister are invariably too long.
- Committees neded to be named succinctly.
Samir Lee, Edinburgh University [52]
A 2 page paper on Committee Operation - Research Edinburgh University
The aim was to document good practice, and draw out lessons for engagement.
Dr Hartley Millar [94]
A 2 page paper on Parliamentary Structure across Party’s.
The exigencies of party politics are liable to lead governments to precipitate actions, to over-promising and to trying to hide evidence of failure.
Joseph Morris [16]
Just 1 page of Notes on Informal SNP hogging question time
Restrict ruling party questions, time for answers to 2 minutes to prevent the first minister going on a ramble
Andrew Nicoll [35]
A 3 page letter on Complaints by Constituents
Your Parliament -Your Voice. I say: Their Parliament - Their Voice.
Joseph Scullion [7]
A 1 page letter on Allegiance
It seems right for MSPs to swear allegiance to the people of Scotland
Nigel Smith [83]
A 52 page paper - A history of how the present chaos has arisen. A short book.
- A very interesting read.
- To a de-centralist, there is no reason why Scotland cannot have a strong and effective parliament within the UK. It has one - if it would only use it properly.
- The consensual layout of the impressive new chamber was more of a fashion statement than a reality.
A more co-operative less adversarial parliament than Westminster
Alan Thomson [74]
A 1 page letter on Question First Minister’s Diet
What is it ?
Gary Wallace [78]
A 1 page paper on Support for the Gaelic Language
- Three good sentences.
- Aim for people [MSP’s] to represent their area and work in a collaborative way for all of Scotland
Dr Hannah White [51]
A 1 page paper commenting on More effective scrutiny
Highlighting areas where there is little transparency