Grenada’s Public Accounts Committee Visits UK Parliament to Strengthen Oversight and Collaboration 

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Grenada travelled to Westminster in July for a three-day visit to explore the purpose, structure and function of the UK PAC.

As Grenada moves to enhance the effectiveness of its own PAC, the visit by the Grenada delegation came at a pivotal moment.

Through engaging with their UK counterparts, the delegation, which included the Leader of Grenada's Opposition, gathered valuable information in order to support the development of their committee.

The visit also served to deepen interparliamentary ties between Grenada and the UK, fostering ongoing collaboration, mutual learning. It was also a chance to exchange experiences and views. 

The visit to Westminster featured sessions with current and former UK PAC chairs and members, covering key topics such as how to conduct an inquiry, effective questioning techniques, and producing useful and informative reports. The delegation also observed both private and public UK PAC meetings, gaining first-hand experience of committee operations. 

Discussions focused on the importance of the PAC functioning as a cohesive, non-partisan team dedicated to holding government accountable through the scrutiny of public spending.

UK PAC members emphasised the value of private pre-inquiry meetings to build trust amongst the committee and plan collaboratively.

Delegates reflected on the need to separate their roles as political party members from their responsibilities on the PAC, ensuring the committee remains independent and focused on good governance. They also discussed the importance of inquiries remaining strictly  factual and based on evidence, rather than policy positions, in order to main objectivity and credibility.

The delegation explored the inquiry process in depth, with UK members sharing effective systems that support PAC operations.

One such system is the Lead Member system, where different members take the lead on specific inquiries. This approach not only shares out the workload but also allows members to contribute their expertise more effectively.

Delegates also discussed the importance of producing clear and concise reports that communicate findings and recommendations in a tone that is accessible to a broad audience, including non-experts. 

The visit took place between 8 and 10 July, 2025 

The Grenada delegation meets the UK PAC chair to discuss conducting an inquiry