FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET IN ABERDEEN

The Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee today formally announced that it is to meet in Aberdeen. This will be the first time Aberdeen has hosted a Scottish Parliament committee meeting.

The meeting will be held in public at 10.00am on Monday, November 20 in Aberdeen City Council Town House, Council Chamber, Broad Street.

The main agenda item is consideration of the Scottish Executive’s expenditure proposals for the year 2001/2002. During the afternoon session the Committee will take evidence from the new Minister for Finance Angus MacKay MSP. This will be the first time that a Scottish Minister has given evidence to the Scottish Parliament outwith Edinburgh.

Committee convener, Mike Watson MSP said:

"The Finance Committee feels strongly that the annual budget process, which details the planned expenditure of the Scottish Executive for the forthcoming financial year, is of direct relevance to all communities in Scotland. And it is important that our choice of venue reflects that this Parliament belongs to all of Scotland, not just Edinburgh or the Central Belt.

"For the first of our budget scrutiny meetings, we agreed that Aberdeen would be an ideal location, as the city has a strong tradition of business and commerce.

"Furthermore, we believe that in keeping with the Parliament’s founding principles of openness, accessibility and accountability, the Finance Minister’s attendance in Aberdeen reinforces the duty of Parliament to hold the Executive to account".

BACKGROUND NOTES

Scrutiny of the budget process will constitute the main element of the Finance Committee’s work each year. A three stage process involving the people of Scotland, the Parliament and the Executive was laid out in a written agreement that the Parliament approved in July.

The committee’s membership is as follows: David Davidson, Rhoda Grant, Adam Ingram, George Lyon, Kenneth Macintosh, Alex Neil, Keith Raffan, Richard Simpson, Elaine Thomson, Mike Watson (Convener), Andrew Wilson.

The committee meeting is open to the public. Members of the public wishing to guarantee a seat can book tickets by contacting the Visitor Centre on 0131 348 5411. However it is expected that seats will be available on the day on a first come first served basis.

Media not accredited to the Parliament are invited to attend. Seating for media will be reserved. Media identification (e.g. NUJ cards, etc) may be requested.

Press photographers: no formal photo opportunities have been arranged; however, photography will be allowed during the first three or four minutes at the start of the morning and afternoon sessions.

The contact for members of the media is:
Eric MacLeod: 0131 348 5605
email: eric.macleod@scottish.parliament.uk