No rush, no rush

Our parliamentary bosses do not move quickly. Despite extensive criticism of the Edinburgh Allowance Scheme (see here) - even Jack McConnell has had a go - The Scotsman reports that a rather leisurely approach is being taken to reform of the system:

"Mr Reid said: "The current system of allowances was brought in by unanimous vote of parliament in June 2001. The Corporate Body has no authority to alter that system. It can be changed only after further debate and vote of parliament.
"We acknowledge that there are issues to be addressed, but they are complex and have to be addressed in total."
And he added: "It is the SPCB's intention to have all the arguments delineated by March 2007 for determination by our successors after the elections in May."
The review of the Edinburgh Accommodation Allowance will be part of a broader investigation into the allowances system for MSPs. "

Why so slow? Why not get someone to prepare - before Christmas - proposals for reform and have them debated in January? It's not as if the issue first arose last weekend. And we all need to minimise unnecessary public expenditure.

It would be cynical to suggest that an early revision of the rules might prevent those MSPs retiring at the elections next May from selling their subsidised properties and making a tidy profit.