Section 1 — Duty to provide free school meals

Part of Education (School Meals) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2 – in the Scottish Parliament at 3:00 pm on 11 June 2003.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Euan Robson Euan Robson Liberal Democrat 3:00, 11 June 2003

No, not at the moment.

Fiona Hyslop is asking the Parliament to sign up to amendments without any clear idea of their impact or their costs. I heard her say that she understands that there would be some overlap between the categories of people who would be covered.

I remind the Parliament of the Auditor General for Scotland's advice just last month in his report "Moving to Mainstreaming". He said:

"Parliament must have a robust analysis of the potential financial consequences when they are considering Bills and amendments".

He went on to say:

"Parliament should consider how best to ensure that there is full consideration of relevant costs when Bills and amendments are scrutinised".