Agenda item 4 concerns our scrutiny of the draft budget 2014-15. A paper has been circulated to members, and the committee is asked to consider three options for responding to the Finance Committee. What are members’ views on the option that we should pursue?
I am fairly relaxed about the options, although my preference would be the first. However, is there some way in which we can show our frustration that at times this kind of scrutiny, particularly with other parliamentary committees, has been something of a tick-box exercise? I know that we discussed some of the responses that we received about our scrutiny of the previous budget. I am not sure whether this is possible but I wonder whether we can make space in our response to refer to that issue. I do not want to make a huge point of it—I simply want to highlight it for others to note.
I would also choose the first option set out in paragraph 8 of the paper for much the same reason that Siobhan McMahon has highlighted. I do not wish equality simply to become a tick-box exercise and I think that the first option gives us a bit more influence over or input into how equality is viewed. Nevertheless, I am keen to hear other members’ views.
I am inclined to agree for the reasons that you have set out, but the problem with taking this route is that it becomes almost a “How long is a piece of string?” issue. Given that our focus on the matter could be as big or as small as we want, we would have to be very clear and concise about our objectives before we went into it. After all, if we are not careful, things could just grow and grow without our delivering very much at the end.
I agree that the equality statement is a result of a process that has been mainstreamed into decision making. As long as we strike the right balance, I think it reasonable to seek an update on the matter.
I agree with that approach, not least because I think that it would enhance the status of the equality statement, if that is to be the focus of our inquiry.
Does either Dennis Robertson or John Mason wish to comment?
I simply endorse those comments.
Do we agree that in our response to the Finance Committee we will follow the first option in paragraph 8?
Members indicated agreement.
Excellent. Thank you very much. That concludes today’s meeting. Our next meeting, which is on Thursday 9 May, will include further oral evidence on women and work.
Meeting closed at 11:23.Previous
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