Cost-effectiveness of Scottish public inquiries

Overview

The Finance and Public Administration Committee has launched a call for views on the cost-effectiveness of public inquiries.

Read about the inquiry

There are 7 questions in the call for views:

1. How effective is the current model of public inquiries in Scotland, and to what extent does it deliver value for money?
2. Is there sufficient transparency around the purpose, remits (including any extensions), timescales, costs and effectiveness of public inquiries and what, if any, improvements are required? 
3. Are the current legislative framework and decision-making processes for establishing public inquiries adequate, and what, if any improvements are required?
4. Are the processes for setting and monitoring costs for public inquiries adequate? What measures should be put in place at the establishment of a public inquiry to ensure value for money and prevent time and cost overruns?
5. What is the best way to ensure cost effectiveness of public inquiries while maintaining their independence?
6. What, if any, measures should be put in place to ensure recommendations made by public inquiries are implemented in a timely way?
7. What alternatives to the current model of public inquiries should be considered when particular events have, or could cause, public concern? Are there examples of good practice from other countries that Scotland could learn from?