I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43113 on 27 January 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

Paragraph 1.4(d) of the Scottish Ministerial Code makes clear that holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions. This operates alongside the principle of collective responsibility, set out at paragraph 2.1, whereby decisions reached by the Scottish Ministers, individually or collectively, are binding on all members of the Government.

When determining applications for overhead power lines, made through the Electricity Act 1989, Scottish Ministers must only consider the project outlined within the application documentation. The legislation does not allow for Scottish Ministers to suggest or consider alternatives.

The current allocation of responsibility for consents under the Electricity Act 1989 is expected to continue for the remainder of this parliamentary term, unless a future change in portfolio responsibility is made.

There are no administrative impacts for external stakeholders which would require guidance for Electricity Act 1989 consents applications to be updated.

The Scottish Ministerial Code outlines the general principle that Ministers should take particular care to avoid conflicts of interest when dealing with planning matters, including the granting of energy consents.

Mechanisms are available to preserve the integrity of decisions from challenge on grounds of prejudice, whereby the Planning Minister or any other Minister involved in the decision-making process can debar themselves from any involvement in the case.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43110 on 27 January 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43110 on 27 January 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

The allocation of ministerial portfolios and responsibilities is a matter for the First Minister and do not follow set criteria. The Minister for Public Finance was considered as the most appropriate in this instance, due to his other ministerial responsibilities for Planning.

Internal protocols for members of the Energy Consents Unit now reflect the transfer of responsibility to the Minister for Public Finance for Electricity Act 1989 consent decisions.