Indicators of Parliamentary Performance in the Budget Process

I Level and range of activity

1. Where parliament consists of two chambers, do both playa role in the budget process?
2. Are there procedures in place to resolve differences between the two chambers when they occur?
3. Does serious, substantive debate about the overall budget take place in parliament?
4. Is there parliamentary input at all stages in the budget process, including before the government presents its detailed spending and revenue proposals in parliament?
5. Does parliament scrutinize the economic models used to develop medium teml expenditure frameworks?
6. Does parliament review monetary policy as it relates to the budget framework?
7. Does parliament review and debate the PRSP before final adoption by the government and presentation to international financial institutions?

II Openness and Transparency

1. Are exchanges between MPs and Ministers regarding the budget open and public?
2. Are parliamentary committee meetings open to the public and the media?
3. Do parliamentarians participate openly and independently in the priority setting stage of the budget process?
4. Does parliament receive timely information from internal audits conducted by the government?
5. Do independent auditors (e.g. Auditor General) report to parliament? Are their reports timely, informative and independent?
6. Do the media provide full and informative coverage of the parliamentary budget debate?
7. Do the media report fairly on opposition criticisms of the budget?
8. Does parliament convey information regarding the budget to the regions and districts of the country, including lower levels of government?
9. Do parliamentarians inform their constituents about the budget?

III Participation

1. Does parliament ensure public input and participation during the budget process?
2. Does parliament ensure that the poor are able to participate when it reviews the government's diagnosis of poverty and setting of priorities?
3. Does parliament consult the poor in carrying out its evaluations of poverty reduction programs?
4. Does parliament employ gender analysis in seeking to influence budget priorities? In monitoring the budget?
5. Does parliament consult women's groups during the budget process?
6. Does parliament consult civil society organizations and business in its review of the budget?
7. In reviewing the budget, does parliament consult policy experts and utilize their knowledge?

IV Accountability

1. Does parliament have a public accounts committee (PAC) or equivalent that examines past expenditures?
2. Are measures taken to ensure its independence such as by the appointment of an opposition MP as Chair?
3. Does the PAC work with independent audit authorities to uncover financial irregularities and promote program efficiency?
4. Does parliament question government leaders, ministers and officials fully during the budget process?
5. Does parliament effectively scrutinize departmental work-plans and monitor their implementation?
6. Does parliament undertake program and policy evaluations?
7. Does parliament review commitments entered into by senior public servants?

V Policy and Program Impact

1. Does parliament have influence in setting budget priorities?
2. Does parliament make changes to spending and revenue proposals in the budget document? Does it playa role in changing budget allocations in times of financial stringency?
3. Does parliament set conditions for budget reporting?
4. Do reports of parliamentary evaluations and other feedback lead to changes in government policies and implementation?
5. Does parliament playa role in the appointment of senior budget officials, including head of the central bank?
6. Does the PRSP require parliamentary approval?
7. Do public loan agreements require parliamentary approval?