Meeting of the Parliament 07 October 2015
Everybody loves a good mystery. There is nothing quite like a page-turner and those moments of dramatic suspense to keep a reader completely engaged. Finally, there is the moment of satisfaction when the plot comes together and we find out who done it.
What I have described applies to a work of fiction but, unfortunately, it rather resembles our experience of the joint exchequer committee. That is a far more serious matter, because that committee is where the discussions take place between the Scottish and UK Governments about the fiscal framework. Currently, those discussions are shrouded in complete mystery and, to be frank, I do not think that that is good enough.
The fiscal framework covers the rules and institutions that govern our approach to the nation’s finances—how much we borrow, our debt levels and how we co-ordinate financial policy with the UK Government. It is essential to making sure that we have robust policies in place.
We are about to witness the single biggest transfer of power from the UK Government to Scotland since the creation of the Scottish Parliament, so we need to make sure that we take our responsibilities for raising taxes seriously and that the financial mechanisms that we put in place are robust and transparent. Therefore, I am genuinely at a loss to understand why the cabinet secretary is unable, or perhaps even unwilling, to share with members of this Parliament—who are allies with him in this project—and with the people of Scotland precisely what is going on. It is quite difficult for us to engage in a meaningful conversation or dialogue if both Governments are not telling us about their proceedings.
I agree with the convener of the Finance Committee. I accept that there is a balance to be struck, that there are sensitivities and that we need to allow the negotiations to take place, but the information that has been provided so far has been insufficient.
We get communiqués from the joint exchequer committee, which has met three times. I have asked the cabinet secretary questions. I do not begin to know how long the meetings are, but the communiqués on what has been discussed are becoming shorter and shorter.