Audit Committee, 23 Jun 1999

Meeting date: Wednesday, June 23, 1999

Official Report 123KB pdf

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Convener

We shall move on to the choice of convener. Parliament has determined that the convener will come from the SNP members of the committee. Can I have nominations for convener?

I nominate Andrew Welsh as convener of this committee.

Andrew Welsh has been nominated. Does anyone second that?

I second the nomination.

Is that the wish of the committee?

Mr Andrew Welsh was elected convener by acclamation.

I thank you for that great honour, especially on an all-party basis, which is appreciated. I hope that that is a sign of how the committee will work in the future. The role of convener is also a great responsibility. The Audit Committee is usually described as Parliament's powerful Audit Committee and I hope that we will all live up to that title. We are the public's financial watchdogs and we are expected to demand and to maintain the highest standards of probity, value and financial vigilance on behalf of the people and of their Parliament.

The financial issues advisory group, which was drawn from a wide range of Scottish opinion, envisaged a powerful Audit Committee that would be independent of the Executive and would take the lead in scrutinising financial reports and seeking value for money from bodies responsible to this Parliament. To do that, we have a wide range of weapons at our disposal and an enormous reservoir of experience and expertise in our clerks, in the National Audit Office and in the professional audit teams and organisations who will help and advise us.

It is up to us to use that expertise and experience for the public good as an essential part of making this Parliament work for the true benefit of all the people of Scotland. I welcome every member of the Audit Committee. Now let us get started.