Audit Committee, 11 Jan 2000
Meeting date: Tuesday, January 11, 2000
Official Report
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Agricultural Business Improvement Scheme
Item 3 on the agenda is the agricultural business improvement scheme. I refer members to the letter that was sent by the convener of the Rural Affairs Committee regarding the ABIS, dated 7 December 1999. That committee took evidence on the ABIS and remains concerned about the unresolved questions on the administration and management of the scheme: why systems to measure demand failed, which led to a £2 million budget having to meet a demand for £22 million; whether there was a breakdown in communication between officials; and whether failures of administration may, if not corrected, jeopardise other European grant schemes. The committee formally requests that we consider the matter with a view to possible investigation by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Given the seriousness of the matter for one of Scotland's most important industries and the nature of the evidence that was heard by the Rural Affairs Committee, I suggest that it would be appropriate for me to write to the Comptroller and Auditor General to suggest the ABIS as a suitable subject for an investigation. Any decision on whether the ABIS merited investigation would be a matter for the Comptroller and Auditor General, who would not be able to investigate any policy aspect of the scheme. Members should note that any report on the ABIS by the Comptroller and Auditor General would be laid before Parliament and could be considered by the Audit Committee.
Do members feel that that is an appropriate response?
Members indicated agreement.