Giving the toothless tiger bite

Whatever lip-service has been paid to the scrutiny system since the system of government changes in 2004, both bodies have been toothless tigers and the Legislation Select Committee little more than a reading club. Scrutiny and PAC have been understaffed, under-resourced, and with limited powers to get hold of the information that would prove whether departments or committees projects were delivering without wasting money.

Without effective scrutiny government waste will continue and no one will be held to account. Conversely, it also shines a light on good practice. So far all the two committees have been is a 'critical friend', finding it difficult to react quickly and decisively to topical issues and treading a diplomatic tightrope to get hold of information.

Under the joint committee proposals the new scrutiny management committee would be able to compel witnesses to attend hearings and produce documents – although the report is light on what problems have been faced so far there has been plenty of chatter of difficulties faced in the past.

They also want reports which review big capital projects once they have been completed and identify any problems experienced routinely published so that lessons can be learnt from them. Currently other spending departments and the public are unaware of any shortcomings that could be avoided.

New powers would mean legal advice given to the States would open to examination by the committee in certain circumstances. All worthy proposals.

Where the report becomes contentious is funding for more staff. The joint committees want an extra £366,000 a year above the existing budgets – a near £1m. Budget annually – with £210,000 of this in pay costs. T&R says there is no money in the pot to fund this unless other committee budgets are cut to compensate and is concerned about hidden costs. It also wants the new States to decide spending priorities, not this one.

This looks like the perfect recipe for another can to be kicked down the road.