Remit
This inquiry will be a focused and practical discussion about the steps needed to strengthen committees’ ability to scrutinise legislation and policy and hold the government to account. The following remit has been agreed:
To review the operation of committees and make proposals about structure and working practices to increase committee effectiveness.
Broad themes within this remit include:
- Impact of further powers
- Number and size of committees
- Remits, mandatory/subject committees
- Selection of conveners and members
- Use of sub-committees
- Party balance
- Role of Ministers and opposition
- Pre and post legislative scrutiny
- Meeting times
- Resources/support
Timetable
The Committee published its report on 19 January 2016.
Evidence
Written evidence
The Committee wrote to all MSPs on 11 August 2015 asking for written contributions to be submitted by 11 September 2015.
Read the written submissions received
Oral Evidence
The Committee took evidence at its meetings on 10 and 24 September and 8 October 2015
Read the meeting papers and Official Report
Report
The Committee published its report on 19 January 2016
The Committee received a response to its report from the Scottish Government on 17 March 2016
Debate
The Committee published its report on 19 January 2016
Additional Information
The Committee agreed to undertake an inquiry into committee reform during its consideration of the proposal from the Presiding Officer to elect committee conveners. Its recent report on this issue recognised that the Presiding Officer has started the debate on wider reforms and that this is now an opportune moment for the SPPA Committee to consider potential changes for the Parliament as a whole to take forward.
Contact: for further information on the work of the Committee you can contact the Clerks on 0131 348 6924 or by e-mail at: [email protected]