The Finance
Committee is today launching a review of the Parliament's
process for scrutinising the Scottish Government's budget.
The scrutiny of the budget for the 2008-09 financial year was
completed in February and the Committee is now seeking views on
the current process and how it can be improved.
Launching the review, Committee Convener Andrew Welsh MSP said:
"Parliament has said that it wants the budget process to be
reviewed. The process for the coming financial year was completed
last month and our Committee thought it was important to launch
this review while the process is still fresh in the minds of those involved.
"Due to the technical nature of the subject matter we are
seeking written evidence through a detailed consultation paper
which sets out how the current system operates, explains the
principles underpinning the system and outlines the key issues
that the Committee will be considering.
"While some of the issues will only be relevant to those
directly involved in the process I would encourage anyone with an
interest in the scrutiny of how Scotland's public money is
spent to read the consultation paper and send us their views."
Call for evidence
The Committee is seeking written evidence through a consultation
paper.
The consultation paper can be downloaded from the
Committee's dedicated webpage for the Review at:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/finance/budget/Budget_Review.htm
The deadline for receipt of submissions is Friday 30 May 2008.
For specific committee information, contact:
Allan Campbell,
Assistant Clerk to the Finance Committee
Direct Tel: 0131 348
5451 (RNID Typetalk calls welcome),
Email: finance.committee@scottish.parliament.uk