20.10.2014
MSPs on the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee will swap the Scottish Parliament for the Salutation Hotel as MSPs relocate to Perth for the day on Monday 3 November.
The Committee will hold a formal Committee meeting in the city, taking evidence on the Scottish Government’s proposed budget. The Committee will question the country’s two enterprise agencies, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. With a combined budget of £341 million for 2015-16 the organisations are responsible for helping to grow Scotland’s economy.
The Committee is also specifically interested in looking at how the budget can support the Scottish Government’s aim of increasing exports.
The Committee will hold workshop discussions with local businesses on the impact of the budget and spending locally.
MSPs will also take part in a question and answer session with students from local schools.
Convener of the Committee Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“Our Committee deals with issues that affect businesses up and down the country so it’s especially important that we get out of Edinburgh and listen to local people on local issues.
“One of the aims of the Scottish Government’s spending plans is to create a successful country through sustainable economic growth. It is the role of this Committee to question the organisations responsible for delivering this to identify if taxpayers money is being spent in the most efficient and effective way possible.”
Background
The formal meeting of the Committee is open to members of the public. It will be held in the Salutation Hotel, Perth at 1.45 pm on Monday 3 November.
The meeting is free to attend. Tickets can be reserved by contacting the Parliament’s Visitor Services team sp.bookings@scottish.parliament.uk or 0131 348 5200 or freephone 0800 092 7600 and can be picked up on the day.
The Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee meets weekly when the Parliament is sitting and has a membership of 9 MSPs.