Finance Committee

Meeting date: Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Official Report 418KB pdf

Scottish Fiscal Commission (Temporary Appointment)

Item 2 is a temporary appointment to the Scottish Fiscal Commission.

We have a copy of the cabinet secretary’s letter regarding the resignation of Andrew Hughes Hallett from the Scottish Fiscal Commission. I have known Andrew Hughes Hallett for a long time. On behalf of the committee, I put on record our appreciation of his work and the significant contribution that he has made to the commission’s work and to Scotland in general, and I pass on our best wishes to him.

You wrote to us about the matter, cabinet secretary, and I understand that the letter has been circulated. If you would like to make some opening comments, we would like you to do so, but the matter appears clear. You have expressed to us the view that the committee could and should meet your nominee early in September. It seems to be reasonable to accept the need to get somebody into post now. Would you like to say a word or two about that?

Thank you, convener. I concur with your words on Andrew Hughes Hallett.

I am grateful for the opportunity to give evidence to the committee on an interim appointment to the Scottish Fiscal Commission, and I record my thanks to it for its understanding and willingness to consider the issue at such short notice.

I wrote to the committee last week to inform it that Professor Andrew Hughes Hallett had tendered his resignation from the Scottish Fiscal Commission. I am very grateful to him for his service to the commission and for the valuable contribution that he has made to its work over the past two years.

My immediate priority was and is to ensure that the commission has sufficient capacity to discharge its functions in relation to the 2017-18 Scottish budget. Having discussed that issue with the chair of the commission, Lady Susan Rice, I decided to make an interim appointment to the non-statutory commission at the earliest opportunity. I wrote to the committee again yesterday to notify it of my decision to appoint Professor Charles Nolan of the University of Glasgow to serve as a member of the non-statutory commission up to 30 March 2017. Professor Nolan will bring a wealth of relevant economic experience to the commission, having held posts at the Bank of England and several academic institutions.

I intend to commence the process of appointing two new members to the commission with effect from 1 April 2017, when it is due to be established as a non-ministerial department and office-holder in the Scottish Administration. In accordance with the Scottish Fiscal Commission Act 2016, that process will be regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland. Although I will make appointments, they will be subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament.

I look forward to answering any questions that the committee may have.

Excellent. I declare an interest as somebody who is employed by the University of Glasgow in a minor capacity.

As there are no comments, the committee approves the appointment, and we will look forward to meeting Professor Nolan after the summer. Is that acceptable?

Members indicated agreement.

Thank you very much, cabinet secretary. It is good of you to have come to the meeting. I thank your officials. I am sure that we will see you again before too long.

We will move into private session.