Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson proved unable to give satisfactory answers to questions put to him this week at Holyrood by Highlands and Islands MSP, Jamie McGrigor.
McGrigor first asked what plans the Government has to improve the A82 and A83.
Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, said, with pronounced lack of specificity, ‘We are continuing to improve and maintain both the A82 and the A83. On the A83, we plan to carry out measures to improve safety on the route and undertake structural maintenance works to improve the condition of the road, while on the A82, we are taking forward schemes including major projects at Crianlarich and Pulpit Rock.
‘In the longer term, the strategic transport projects review has recommended an upgrade of the A82 route to reduce accident severity and cut journey times. That review also recommended a series of route-management initiatives for the A83 to maintain the physical condition and safety standards of the route’.
It didn’t take Jamie McGrigor long to mince that one: ‘The Minister has not given time schedules for that work. On the A82, will the Minister give a firm and detailed time commitment on the road widening, climbing lanes and junction improvements that are planned for between Tarbet and Fort William?
‘On the A83, what guarantees can the Minister give that the current work that is being undertaken at the Rest and be thankful will prevent a repeat of the closures of that key trunk artery road – which proved to be so damaging to the Argyll economy? Specifically, what action will he take to remedy the appalling physical condition of stretches of the A83 near Tarbet that my constituents feel make it currently very dangerous to drive on?’
And as the Referee’s count got to 9 Stevenson threw in the towel. ‘Jamie McGrigor has asked a complex set of questions (how unreasonable of him – but were they not mercilessy straightforward?), so I will write to him (meaning: ‘My officials, who know the answers, will write to him and I will sign it’.) to ensure that I address fully all his points.
‘However, I record at this stage that in relation to the work on the A82 to the south of Fort William, we held a public information exercise to discuss the public effects of the works. It has been agreed that the works will commence after Easter on 11 April and will last for 14 nights. The works will finish before the Scottish six days trial world championships motorcycle event.’
This last response glosses over the fact that it was the results of the public information exercise to which the Minister refers that blew the Transport Department’s earlier plans to shreds as their utter impracticality and damaging impact on business was highlighted. Among other things it had been scheduled without regard to the economically important ‘shoulder’ period for visitors, after the main season.
The hard fact is that any Minister on top of his brief would easily be able to answer McGrigor;s questions. Stevenson’s inability to do so and his speedy withdrawal behind the shield of a future letter betrays two crucial weaknesses in his armoury – he is not immediately au fait with what his own department is doing; and he cannot think on his feet.
This last point is not simply about performance in the often hollow theatre that is Westminster and, by unfortunate descent, Holyrood.
A minister has to deal not only with what is in the plans, whether or not he or she had much to do with the drawing up of those plans. A minister has to deal with the unexpected, often in circumstances where the capacity to be quick thinking and decisive is important.
It’s not clear if Stevenson even deserves an ‘E for Effort’.
With all due respect and aware of a deep and very obvious antipathy For Argyll has towards Stewart Stevenson(not everybody’s favourite minister) I can see no significant points whatsoever in the piece above,any more than I can see any significant point in Jamie MacGrigor.
Stewart Stevenson’s replies, given the present crisis in the roads maintenance right across Scotland, appear perfectly acceptable to me and the notion that Ministers know the minutae of what their department is working on at any one time in any one place is bizarre.
There are quite enough real concerns about the Transport Minister’s huge brief without resorting to fluff like the stuff above
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
For David McEwan Hill: Anyone who remembers the late and missed Robin Cook at the height of his power as Shadow Health Secretary knows just how a first class minister can be on top of the detail of his brief, down to whatever minutiae of detail he required to expose the government of the day on health issues.
In different days he might have been a Holyrood politician.
There is no reason why Scots should not expect every one of their own Government ministers to be as capable as the best of those serving at Westminster- and indeed some are.
Equally there is no reason why ministers of the Scottish Government should not strive to be the equal of any anywhere – and indeed some do.
But we’re not growing the pool. It’s too shallow and it’s too understocked with talent.
We agree with you that there was nothing at all difficult about Jamie McGrigor’s questions. That’s the point. They were focused and specific and Stewart Stevenson could not answer them on the spot.
And its not a case of favourite ministers. It’s a case of acceptable ministers. If Stewart Stevenson raised his game we would be the first to cheer him. We want him to be good. Transport is central to how Scotland does business, works and lives.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Perhaps a full reading of the Official report at Column 24020 for that day shows why I said what I said,
“The Presiding Officer (Alex Fergusson): We have taken 10 minutes to cover three questions, to which there have been only two supplementaries. I would appreciate it if both questions and answers were a little shorter—if questions are a little shorter, it follows that the answers will be, too.”
If you want a list of facts, you ask a written question. If want to pursue one matter that’s the place for an oral one. The Presiding Officer has been chivvying Ministers for shorter answers for some time and I was getting the “evil eye” across the chamber.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Well said, Stewart
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Stewart Stevenson can stand up for himself. Our transport infrastructure is in its present state because of not years but decades of underinvestment and will certainly not be radically transformed in the present conditions with the UK facing years of cuts and privations. Jamie MacGrigor may reflect on the years when the Tories were in charge.
There is an old Gaelic proverb that suggests,
“if you wish to attract criticism you should marry whereas if it is praise that you seek, you should die.” I have no doubt that this has a better ring in the language of the Gael but it contains a truth that cannot be denied.
It is undoubtedly true in particular about Scottish Labour politicians who were often excoriated while active in their chosen field but are roundly praised in retrospect.In the case of Robin Cook it succeeds on both counts.
Robin Cook was undoubtedly a clever and sometimes effective politician although I thought he was more impressive in opposition than in government. I recall him as someone who dumped his wife with a phone call on the way to the airport and who fought tooth and nail against the setting up of the Scottish Parliament; not one of my icons.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
For Ken MacColl: absolutely agree on Robin Cook’s most impressive period being in opposition. There are potentially great politicians whom time does not favour and Alex Salmond is another such. We need a mechanism to bring obvious talent to the aid of the country, regardless of party affiliation, while that talent is at its most potent.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
This is drifting away from the topic. Opposition is undoubtedly easier that being in power-cf Alan Reid – but power is what it is all about!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Alex Salmond stands head and shoulders above any other politician operating in the UK today and I can think of no one else who could continue to perform to the standard he does in the face of concerted,coordinated and continuous assault through all of the media on a daily basis.
I can almost laugh when I see the standard of the opposition to him and wonder at the combined ranks of the Scottish press corp who are in fact contributing to the steady destruction of most of Scotland’s opposition by headlining, without even the faintest whiff of sensible examination, every banality that the unionists come out with.
This is having a slow and steady effect of driving those who can actually think into the SNP camp and I had another phone call on this issue today. I will be signing up another member tomorrow. SNP membership is at a record high and growing.
As Ken McColl has pointed out “this is drifting away from the topic”. Sorry
Like or Dislike:
0 
0