Question ... 'What are your views on building on greenfield space when there is plenty of vacant building space in the city. Regarding planning applications, if you were to be elected and therefore sit on the planning committee, would your vote be based on your personal views or that of your party?'

Alan said ... 'I would oppose building on greenfield sites when there are brownfield sites available. The recent opening on Morrisons on an ex-school playing field is a disgrace, an example of an application I would oppose. There is precious little green space available. As for any general application, my approval/disapproval would be based on a combination of my own views and my parties (if these were applicable) but more influenced by the views of the local community as they are the ones most affected.' [Report Post]

Question ... 'I notice that the free school meal debate is mentioned. With that in mind would you support UK farmers growing crops and livestock breeding so that it creates employment and food products for schools, hospitals etc. The amount of subsidies that the EU pay farmers for set aside fields are adding to the taxation across the country. Surely a better use would to provide food products so that the younger generations are assured one healthy meal a day'

Alan said ... 'I can't find any SSP policy on this specific issue but we do recognises that the biggest threat to farmers livelihoods is the driving down of prices by supermarkets like Tesco/Asda in order to increase their overly bloated profits. It is a bizarre situation where farmers are paid less for a pint of milk than it costs to produce a pint of milk. This also leads to farmers having one of the highest suicide rates for professions in the country. The best way for individuals to support food grown locally is by taking part in food co-ops and other ways of trying to cut out the number of middle men between food producers and food consumers - buying at the farm gate, farmers markets etc, where possible. I never buy fruit/veg from supermarkets, buying instead from a local fruit/veg supplier where not only does more money go to the producer but it costs half what it would in a supermarket which benefits both of us.' [Report Post]

Question ... 'Is offering free school meals truly an economically viable campaign promise? How will those of you who have pledged it, going about achieving it?'

Alan said ... 'The estimated cost of the Free School Meals program is £50million per year. The underspend of the Scottish Parliament has been for example £485 million in 1999/2000 ; £718 million in 2000/2001; and £643 million in 2001/2002. This is money which the parliament has, but doesn't spend and gives back to Westminster. The money is already there to fund the policy, it doesn't need any additional funding source. The benefit of this policy is it is also an investment too, the savings to the NHS from illnesses related to poor diet and obesity could be huge. The social benefit of reducing the number of people who have the physical and mental illnesses brought on by body image and body size would also be beneficial. If you require more detailed information on the policy please don't hesitate to contact me. The SSP researched and started the campaign to fight for this policy and are delighted the SNP have quite rightly decided to run trials of it now they are in Government.' [Report Post]