"Many of these are fine organizations” (quangos) “composed of fine folk" (quangoists) "working for the public good, but we don't need 200 and we don't need overlap, duplication and people falling over each other."
"We are now a democratic society with a national parliament charged with the role of public scrutiny. That is why today I can announce that it is our intention, in the course of this parliament, to reduce the number of quangos and government agencies in Scotland by a quarter."
Mr Salmond said this would be done to free up money for other areas. "That means smaller, fitter and better government - more money for the people's priorities,"
Not only that, but he announced proposals:
to scrap 50 quangos and government agencies to free up the money which he needs to meet his party's ambitious spending plans.
Stressing the vital importance of "credibility in government" the First Minister stated:"The better we govern, the stronger the case."
A quote from Mark Twain comes to mind at this juncture:
"Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often"
From this morning's Scotsman:
THE number of people working for Scottish quangos has increased over the past year, despite a pledge by Alex Salmond, the First Minister, that there would be a "bonfire" of the public bodies.
The latest figures reveal that 37,300 people were employed by quasi non-governmental organisations in the third quarter of 2008, 1.2 per cent up on the same quarter last year.
And yes, I know I realise that the number of quangos has been reduced, but if the number of actual quangoists has been increased how does that tie in with:
“smaller, fitter and better government - more money for the people's priorities”?
Quasi Non-Governmental Organisations, as inanimate objects, only tend to cost money when Quasi Non-Governmental Organisers start to send in those funding and expenses requests on their behalf.
*Yes, a new verb I've invented especially with Csar Alex in mind.
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