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Seòmar agus comataidhean

Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 6 July 2025
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Displaying 830 contributions

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SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee [Draft]

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review

Meeting date: 15 May 2025

Murdo Fraser

Is that a helpful exchange?

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee [Draft]

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review

Meeting date: 15 May 2025

Murdo Fraser

Good morning. The committee is interested in trying to understand the purpose of commissioners and the added value that they bring. Indeed, Mr Carlaw, you alluded to that in what you have just said. It is clear from the Finance and Public Administration Committee’s report and the evidence that we have taken that Scotland is not an undergoverned country; after all, we have 129 MSPs, 57 MPs and nearly 30 ministers and law officers.

Last week, I asked the Minister for Public Finance what would concern the Scottish Government the most—a critical report from a commissioner, a critical report from a cross-party parliamentary committee, or Opposition MSPs, or indeed MSPs from its own party, standing up and criticising it? I appreciate that the corporate body might not have a particular view on that question, but I am interested in knowing whether either of you has any personal reflections on the matter. If you were in government, would a commissioner’s recommendations be more impactful than those of a parliamentary committee?

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee [Draft]

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review

Meeting date: 15 May 2025

Murdo Fraser

I am happy to get your personal view.

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee [Draft]

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review

Meeting date: 15 May 2025

Murdo Fraser

Thank you.

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee [Draft]

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review

Meeting date: 15 May 2025

Murdo Fraser

I want to ask about the framework for establishing new public bodies. There is a draft ministerial control framework, which the Scottish Government has been using for the past two years, that sets out criteria to be applied should a new public body be created. Part of the framework specifies engagement with the SPCB at an early stage to discuss any proposed SPCB-supported bodies and potential impacts on the SPCB budget.

I have two questions, which I will ask together to save time. Have you had any interactions with the Scottish Government on proposed new bodies? To what extent are you able to feed in views on the SPCB’s capacity to provide effective governance?

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee [Draft]

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review

Meeting date: 15 May 2025

Murdo Fraser

That is fine.

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee [Draft]

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review

Meeting date: 8 May 2025

Murdo Fraser

Thank you, convener. We have been trying to understand what the driver is for that. Why are people proposing commissioners? We are not exactly an under-governed country: we have 129 MSPs, 57 MPs, 20-something Government ministers and 130-something Government bodies. Why do people want more commissioners? One thing that has been said to us is that it is because people feel frustrated that there is a failure in delivery and in what the Government is trying to do, and they see a commissioner as a way to force the pace of change. Do you have any thoughts on that? Do you recognise that concern?

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee [Draft]

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review

Meeting date: 8 May 2025

Murdo Fraser

To be fair, we recognise that there is a difference.

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee [Draft]

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review

Meeting date: 8 May 2025

Murdo Fraser

Okay. Thank you.

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee [Draft]

SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review

Meeting date: 8 May 2025

Murdo Fraser

Of course. The point that I am trying to get to is: what is the added value of a commissioner, as opposed to cross-party parliamentary committees that produce reports? As a minister, if you have a critical report from a commissioner and a critical report from a parliamentary committee, which of those do you think has more weight?

09:45