Members of the Committee on Economy, Finance and Budget paid a study visit to the Scottish Parliament, on 23 and 24 February. The visit was organised within the project implemented by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy in cooperation with the Parliament of Montenegro, with support of the British Embassy to Podgorica, with the aim of establishing a parliamentary budget office.

On day one of the visit, members of the Committee on Economy, Finance and Budget had the opportunity to learn about the manner of work of the Information Centre of the Scottish Parliament where 45 researchers are employed. Special emphasis was placed on the work of the Financial Scrutiny Unit and on the importance of research and information when it comes to parliamentary oversight.

During the meeting with the members of the Scottish Parliament - Deputy Presiding Officer Mr Linda Fabiani and MP of the Scottish Labour Party Ms Rhoda Grant, members of the delegation had the opportunity to learn about the way in which parliamentarians use the services of the Information Centre.

Experiences in the work of the Information Centre, and the Financial Scrutiny Unit, were assessed as useful, particularly bearing in mind the project of establishing the parliamentary budget office for providing professional and technical support to parliamentary committees in order to facilitate their financial control.

Also, during the visit, members of the Committee had the opportunity to attend the session of the First Minister's Question Time, which is held every Thursday, as well as to attend the plenary debate on the 2017 Budget (Scotland) Bill.

On day two of the visit, members of the delegation had a meeting with Mr Martin Bolt and Ian Story, representatives of the central body for financial coordination of the Scottish government The meeting was focused on the budget cycle, as well as the cooperation of the government and parliament in the budget cycle with emphasis on the availability and transfer of financial data.

The following paid a visit: Mr Vujica Lazović, Chairperson of the Committee on Economy, Finance and Budget, Mr Genci Nimanbegu, Mr Predrag Sekulić, Mr Filip Vuković, and Mr Petar Smolović, members of the Committee.