Scrutiny of Senior Diplomatic Appointment
WRITTEN QUESTIONS
PUT BY
THE COMMITTEE
TO RT
HON JACK
MCCONNELL
MSP IN ADVANCE
OF THE
EVIDENCE SESSION
ON 23 APRIL,
TOGETHER WITH
MR MCCONNELL'S
RESPONSES
Questionnaire
1. When were you approached and how did you
learn (a) that the post of High Commissioner to Malawi would shortly
become vacant, and (b) that you were being considered to fill
the post?
A. I first learned that the post of High
Commissioner to Malawi would shortly become vacant and that I
was being considered for the post when the Prime Minister raised
it with me in July 2007.
2. Do you have any business or financial
connections or other commitments which might give rise to a conflict
of interest in carrying out your duties as High Commissioner to
Malawi?
A. I don't have any business or financial
connections or other commitments that would give rise to a conflict
of interest in carrying out my duties as High Commissioner to
Malawi.
3. How can you demonstrate that you have
the skills and experience to perform a job that is usually performed
by a career diplomat?
A. With regards to having the relevant skills
to take up this position, I have no doubt that I have the relevant
skills and experience to perform the job of High Commissioner
to Malawi. I have wide international experience, most recently
from my time as First Minister of Scotland.
4. Are there any skill areas held by career
diplomats that you feel you will need to develop further before
taking up this position?
A. In terms of skill areas that I need to
develop further, I know there will be a period of induction when
these will be identified and guidance will be provided.
5. Given your political background, do you
think it will be difficult to work in an impartial civil service
setting? Are you prepared to report to a Foreign Secretary who
is not from the Labour Party?
A. I would not find it difficult to work
in an impartial civil service and I will report to the Foreign
Secretary appointed by the Prime Minister of the day.
6. Why have you decided to remain a Member
of the Scottish Parliament after your appointment as High Commissioner
has been announced?
A. I have decided to remain as a Member
of the Scottish Parliament because I feel I have a duty to my
constituents to work on their behalf.
7. Do you anticipate that you will seek further
employment with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office following
the completion of your term as High Commissioner?
A. I have no plans to seek further employment
with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office following completion
of my term as High Commissioner.
8. What will be the key developmental and
political challenges facing the next High Commissioner to Malawi?
A. The key developmental and political challenges
facing the next High Commissioner to Malawi are likely to be the
upcoming elections in Malawi in 2009 and the political situation
in Zimbabwe in the wider context of Southern Africa.
9. As High Commissioner, will you encourage
Scotland to maintain its independent international aid programme
to Malawi? What relationship will you have with Scotland's aid
effort?
A. All major UK parties support the programme
so I expect to be able to assist as part of my wider UK duties.
10. How do you anticipate working with DFID
in determining how it spends its aid budget in Malawi?
A. It is essentially for DFID to determine
how that budget is distributed. I would expect to assist and contribute
when appropriate.
17 April 2008
Witness: Mr. Jack McConnell MSP, prospective
High Commissioner to Malawi, gave evidence.
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