Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, 10 Sep 2008

Meeting date: Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Official Report 285KB pdf

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Work Programme

As I am sure members will be pleased to know, item 7 is our final agenda item. The clerks have produced a paper that outlines the proposed committee work programme for the next few months. Do members have any comments?

Last year, we conducted a couple of one-off investigations—the one on the credit crunch and housing was particularly well researched by the Scottish Parliament information centre. Given that there will be a major debate about local income tax, and whether Scotland needs it, could we ask for a paper on the effect of local income tax on business? The subject falls within the committee's remit. There has been a lot of evidence to the consultation from organisations such as the Confederation of British Industry and the Scottish Trades Union Congress, which have said that there could be a negative impact. Given the current state of the Scottish economy, could we ask for a one-off paper on that?

I am happy to consider that, but I should perhaps consult the Local Government and Communities Committee to ensure that we do not duplicate something that it is already doing.

I am not aware whether it is doing that—it was just an idea.

I have nothing against the idea in principle, but I will consult the other committee first. There is no point in the organisations involved giving evidence on the same matter to two committees. The clerks can consult their counterparts on that.

That is a helpful suggestion. I suggest that the offshore oil industry is included in the remit of that inquiry. I have asked questions of ministers, but I have had rather unclear responses on the impact on offshore oil workers and employers of an income tax that is different in Scotland from that in the rest of the UK. I hope that, in such an inquiry, the offshore aspect is fully taken into account.

That is duly noted. If there are no other comments, are members content with the work programme, subject to that possible addition?

Members indicated agreement.

That means that my first meeting as convener will conclude at 12 o'clock, which, I am pleased to say, was the target time. I thank members for their co-operation.

I will not be present next week because of a prior commitment, so the deputy convener will be in the chair. That is possibly news to him, but I am sure that he will cope adequately.

Thank you, convener.

Meeting closed at 12:00.