Finance Committee, 28 Sep 2004

Meeting date: Tuesday, September 28, 2004

Official Report 163KB pdf

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Financial Memoranda (Scrutiny)

Item 4 is scrutiny of financial memoranda. We agreed at our away day—and subsequently endorsed the decision at our meeting on 14 September—that we would introduce a revised system for scrutiny of financial memoranda.

We have a paper on the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill, which was published yesterday. Members will see that because of the costs involved, we propose under our new regime to implement level 2 scrutiny; that is, we will seek written evidence from bodies upon which costs will fall, then we will take oral evidence from Executive officials. In summary, the costs are £10,000 for preparing a plan, between £0 and £155,000 per annum for implementing the plan, and £355,000 per annum for the staffing and operating costs of Bòrd na Gàidhlig. Are members content to operate level 2 scrutiny of the bill?

I think so, although—from a cursory examination—the figures do not strike me as being particularly realistic, given the aspirations of the bill and the powers that it seeks to give to Bòrd na Gàidhlig. I think that costs have been underestimated rather than overestimated. I am not suggesting that the costs would be vastly greater—although it is difficult to judge at this stage. We must examine the issue in some detail, because the figures have been underestimated.

The proposal is that we take oral evidence from Executive officials, so we will get the opportunity to pursue that strand with the people who can best answer the question. On that basis, do we agree?

Members indicated agreement.

I ask members to agree that the questionnaire at annex 2 of the papers be adopted from now on. I think that it was Jim Mather who suggested that we provide a questionnaire on all bills in order to give us basic information. Are members content with that?

Members indicated agreement.

Good. At our last meeting, we agreed that our next three items—consideration of our budget seminar and two draft reports—be taken in private. On that basis, we move into private session.

Meeting continued in private until 11:32.