In early 2011, the OECD asked members of the Parliamentary Budget Officials (PBO) Network to participate in a survey with three sections which looked at:
1. Special bodies that assist legislatures in budgetary matters (e.g. in-house specialised research units, independent parliamentary budget offices, and fiscal councils) and their mandate, leadership, staffing, relationship with the legislature, and functions;
2. Committee structures, staffing, powers of summons, and openness; and
3. Interim financial reporting, including form, frequency, content, and use by legislators.
The results of Sections Two and Three of this survey are presented in the following background notes which also serve to inform sessions during the 3rd Annual Meeting of OECD Parliamentary Budget Officials.
