Press Release

SMITH CALLS ON EXECUTIVE TO WAIT FOR AUDIT REPORT

12/5/06

Margaret Smith, Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh West, has called on Ministers to wait for Audit Scotland’s report on the Scottish Executive’s civil service relocation policy before deciding on the future of SportScotland. The report will assess the degree to which previous relocations have given value for money.

Ms Smith said:

“The Scottish Executive is committed to efficiency in government at all levels – and rightly so. It is important that tax payers’ money is spent wisely. It seems only sensible then to wait for Audit Scotland’s report, which is due at the end of June, rather than rush into a decision on SportScotland’s future – or the future of other civil service jobs in Edinburgh.

“We all know how controversial a move it was to send Scottish Natural Heritage to Inverness, and the widespread discontent that it caused. Hopefully Audit Scotland’s report will throw some light on those issues and help to avoid repeating any mistakes that were made in that case. That is why I have asked Ministers not to make what would amount to a premature decision on SportScotland’s future.”