20 June 2007

Playing it long

When in doubt, set up a committee. Which is what the SPCB has done in relation to the long-running sore of the parliamentary allowances payable to MSPs. But the committee (or panel) is not expected to report until March 2008. Here is the Parliament's press release.

Given the widespread disgust (is that too strong?) over the Edinburgh accommodation allowance and the criticisms of MSPs 'working the system', would it be unreasonable to suggest that the parliamentary authorities pull their fingers out, with a view to sorting out this particular problem as an immediate priority? They should not need 9 months to realise that the present arrangements are indefensible.

And I know that the arrangements at Westminster are even less defensible - but that is no excuse for permitting on-going drift at Holyrood.

1 comment:

Jeff said...

Hear hear!

I agree 100%. I think this 'panel' needs a good bit of scrutiny as things have to change.

It all seems a bit too much like snouts in the trough and scratching each other's backs and other similar sayings....