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Accountability to the Scottish Parliament
Through the Minister for Transport, the Scottish Ministers are accountable to the Scottish Parliament for the functions of Transport Scotland.
Day-to-day operational responsibilities are delegated to the Chief Executive who is in turn directly accountable to the Minister for Transport.
Appearance at Parliamentary Committees
Scottish Ministers will decide who should represent them at Parliamentary Committee hearings. In practice, the Chief Executive will normally be asked to represent Scottish Ministers on matters relating to Transport Scotland's delegated responsibilities. In some circumstances it may be appropriate also for the Head of ETLLD to attend with the Chief Executive.
The Chief Executive is liable to be required to appear before Committees of the Scottish Parliament, including the Audit Committee, to account for the discharge of his or her responsibilities under the terms of this Framework Document.
The Scottish Parliament has the power to request a particular individual to attend a Parliamentary Committee.
The Chief Executive is responsible for putting into effect any relevant recommendations of the Audit Committee or other Committees of the Scottish Parliament which are accepted by Scottish Ministers.
Scottish Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration
Transport Scotland is subject to investigation by the Scottish Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (the "Ombudsman").
Parliamentary Questions
The Chief Executive will ensure that Transport Scotland provides the Minister for Transport with the information required for the Minister to reply to written or oral Questions in the Scottish Parliament.
Correspondence
Operational Matters delegated to Transport Scotland
In line with current guidance, the Scottish Ministers will encourage Members of the Scottish Parliament (and MPs and MEPs) to communicate directly with the Chief Executive on operational responsibilities delegated to Transport Scotland.
The Chief Executive will therefore reply to MSPs' correspondence on operational and contractual matters relating to Transport Scotland. All replies will be copied for information to the Minister for Transport.
The Chief Executive will ensure that matters on which it is appropriate for Ministers to communicate with MSPs (or members of the public) are referred to Ministers without delay. Where a correspondent is dissatisfied with a reply received from the Chief Executive on operational matters, he or she may request a reply from the Minister for Transport.
Other transport matters
The Chief Executive will ensure that matters on which it is appropriate for Ministers to reply are referred to them without delay.
The Scottish Ministers will continue to reply to MSPs' correspondence relating to transport matters which are not delegated to Transport Scotland.
Deadlines for replying to Parliamentary Questions and correspondence
Replies to correspondence with MSPs and members of the public, and answers to Parliamentary Questions, will conform with the timetable set for the Scottish Executive as a whole.
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