The Scottish Government came under fire yesterday for the number of reviews and consultations it has launched during its first seven months.
The LibDems' Tavish Scott took aim at the administration, claiming it was "heavy on spin and light on action".
The treasury and sustainable growth spokesman was commenting on a totting-up of the activities of Alex Salmond's cabinet, which has launched 54 reviews and 79 consultations.
Mr Scott said: "Ministers claim to have ticked off manifesto promises, but in reality all they've done is commission yet another review or consultation. The SNP promised action and this slew of warm words, thinking groups and reviews are simply not good enough."
The LibDem MSP for Shetland claimed Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon had said it was "time to stop setting up groups to talk about progress" and instead "time to start making progress".
But he added: "The SNP has proceeded to set up 54 reviews and 79 consultations since taking office in May. It is time for the SNP to stop spinning and take some action."
The SNP's response was from Bruce Crawford, minister for parliamentary business, who had provided the information in a parliamentary answer. "The Liberal Democrats obviously don't know what time of year it is - this absurd press release sounds like an April Fool," he said.
"In a few short months, the SNP Government have taken action right across our policy programme, where the LibDems did nothing during their eight years in coalition with Labour. Our breathtaking programme of delivery since we took over from the failing LibDem/Labour Executive includes action to scrap tolls on the Forth and Tay bridges, announce a new Forth crossing, save local accident and emergency units, deliver free NHS prescriptions, abolish the graduate tuition fee, revamp Scotland's enterprise networks, freeze the council tax, deliver a historic partnership with Scottish local government, and publish a full legislative programme and budget to invest in Scotland's priorities.
"No doubt that is why the Scottish Government's approval ratings are sky-high, why the SNP are more than three times as popular as the LibDems and have an 11-point lead over Labour in the latest poll."
The biggest enthusiast for reviews and consultation has been John Swinney, although his finance and sustainable government portfolio covers a large part of the government's activity. He has launched 12 reviews and 26 consultations.
Richard Lochhead, the Rural Affairs and the Environment Secretary, punched above his departmental weight, with 10 reviews and 22 consultations. His officials have long been enthusiasts for consulting - recent examples include revisions to bathing water regulations, new crofting areas and a code of practice on equine welfare.
The First Minister's department scored only two of each while Nicola Sturgeon, with the health and wellbeing portfolio, set up 14 reviews and 11 consultations.
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