HAPPY NEW YEAR

This week’s Flag is a bit shortened, due to my wish to participate in some festive fun; the first article appeared in the Scots Independent newspaper for December 05. Davie Hutchison is the parliamentary researcher for Kenny MacAskill MSP. I have also commented on the sale of the Scotsman, and there is a lot of meat in the Synopsis.

THE TRUTH WILL OUT

Davie Hutchison

Angry at years of lies but delighted truth is now out.

This year’s Aviemore conference took place a fortnight after I had been fortunate enough to discover the McCrone report on Scottish Independence and North Sea Oil. Speaker after speaker took to the stage and quoted from the report, “for the first time since the Act of Union was passed, it can now be credibly argued that Scotland’s economic interest lies in its repeal”. McCrone became something of a Davie Hutchison running theme throughout the conference. After years of being called cranks, liars and bampots by Unionists for our claims to Scotland’s Oil the sense of vindication that the report’s discovery had given was palpable. I spoke with many fellow delegates about the report. Each of them shared my initial feeling upon discovery of the paper, angry at the years of lies but delighted that the truth was now out. As the American writer Gloria Steinem once said, “the truth will set you free. But first, it will piss you off”. I am sure there were many within Labour that were hopeful that this would be the end of the discoveries that we would make about their previous administrations. But the curiosity of SNP researchers would ensure that this was not the case.

‘Scotland 1980’ was the name of a book and a short BBC TV series on the prospects of an Independent Scotland. The file had sat in the National

Archives away from prying eyes for over 25 years until I was able to have it opened using freedom of information legislation. In 1977, prior to district elections, Scottish Labour Ministers including Harry Ewing and John Smith worked with civil servants to try and get the ‘Scotland 1980’ programmes cancelled. The plot, which also involved the Conservative MP Francis Pym, Michael Foot and future Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell, was to be successful only in having the programmes postponed until after that year’s district elections. Such was the fear that Harry Ewing held about the SNP he claimed that BBC Scotland and the Scotsman newspaper were ‘known to be pro-SNP’! There was a claim that the contributors to the book and series were mostly SNP supporters and members. This assessment had been carried out by then civil servant Jacqui Lait, now a Conservative MP and former shadow Scottish Secretary. Conservatives and Labour comfortably working in concert to undermine the independence of the BBC, and Independence for Scotland.

oil rig After the McCrone report and ‘Scotland 1980 I thought that I would not find evidence of Labour stooping any lower. I was wrong. Working with Jim Mather MSP and his staff we acquired a file from the National Archives in London. The file contained some startling information. In 1976 the Research Officer of the Scottish Labour Party, Alf Young, sent a SNP leaflet about Oil to the Minister of State for Energy and said “I wonder if you could get an analysis of it done in your department… some return ammunition would be of use to me”. The civil service then sets to work to provide Alf Young with notes to use. In a later response to a Ministerial request for a brief on an SNP pamphlet ‘Poverty amid Plenty’ a civil servant writes that “any attack should be concentrated on Mr [Gordon] Wilson rather than on the report. I am sure that this is right”.

Also in the same file is a confidential memo from Tony Crosland, then the Labour Foreign Secretary, to the Prime Minister. In the memo he says that his officials suggest that more is done to undermine the SNP’s claim to Scotland’s Oil as it is undermining the UK’s “international creditworthiness”. Benard Ingham, the civil servant who was then Director of Information and would later become Thatcher’s spin doctor, responds that “information division has sought for some time to undermine the SNP claims to North Sea oil… indeed it is part of my standard ‘sales patter’ “.

When I first discovered these files I was angry at the apparent casualness of these varied abuses of position and resources. Angry at the volume of political activity carried out by the civil service in order to fuel Unionist Labour’s propaganda machine. When I think of the actions of these ‘Scottish’ MPs such as Harry Ewing and John Smith I can’t help but be reminded of the old conference standard “Oh Scotland, dearest Scotland, You have given me your trust, If I make the grade to the Board of Trade, Just guess who I’ll trade first”.

After time it is no longer anger that is the first emotion that these files provoke in me. Instead they now give me hope as the truth is out. It is a truth that is known to every Nationalist, that Scotland can become a confident, successful and Independent nation using her resources to ensure that everyone in Scotland has the public services and opportunities they deserve. It was true in 1975 and it remains true today.

A SILVER LINING

Very pleased to see that the Scotsman newspaper is to pass from the hands of the Barclay brothers and the archaic hand of Andrew Neil into the ownership of the Johnston Press. It has always seemed odd that the Scotsman, based in Edinburgh and with their new head office a stone’s throw away from the Scottish Parliament, should have been wilting for so long.

After 10 years with the aforesaid Neil at the helm, 8 editors have come and gone, sales continue to fall, and the Scotsman cites that their failure is due to the fact that they were not allowed to take over the Herald! I myself stopped buying the Scotsman a couple of years ago, totally scunnered with its approach and editorial policy; as I had been a faithful reader for over 40 years, it would seem that a lot of people have been less patient than I was.

I actually bought a copy two days before Christmas, an action justified by its impending sale, but detected no change – too early; it is remarkable that despite a new Parliament and a much sharper focus on Scottish affairs, the Scotsman failed to make an impact. Of course, their denigratory attitude to the Scottish Parliament and their slavish worshipping of London government would not have helped; perhaps Andrew Neil has spent so long in London he has gone native. A case in point was the treatment their web issue gave to the Parliament on Christmas Eve; the piece was entitled "“Critics question £1 billion bill for devolution”, but doesn’t manage to name the “critics”, probably because it was themselves.( My first thought was “The Grinch Stole Christmas.” ) Incidentally, a large part of the cash was the £431 million spent on the Parliament building, and the site, design, contractor and method of building were all chosen by Westminster; we Scots only got the bill for their arrogant obtuseness. A bit like the recent G8 Summit; London decided where it would be held, and the levels of security involved, and then we Scots got the bill.

The following lines from Humbert Wolfe’s famous poem, sum them up rather neatly:

“You cannot hope to bribe or twist
Thank God, the British journalist.
But seeing what the man will do
Unbribed, there’s no occasion to.”

The Working Life of Linda Fabiani MSP

Click here to read SNP MSP Linda Fabiani's working diary.

SYNOPSIS

The SNP Members of the Westminster Parliament were criticised for lodging a lot of questions; the Labour Party said this was to boost their question rate. An examination of some of the information provided here shows how tortuous the obtaining of information can be; Labour, of course, do not like providing the answers.

Thursday 29^th December

In the next Parliamentary session, the SNP will make moves to launch a Bill to give the House of Commons the final say over any expenditure on a new nuclear missile for the Clyde.

Angus Robertson With Tony Blair refusing to rule out a new generation of nuclear weapons after the current Trident system becomes redundant, the SNP in Westminster believe Parliamentary scrutiny and approval for any new system is essential.

Explaining the SNP's move the party's Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP said,

"It is ironic that Tony Blair sent our troops to war on Iraq on the pretext that Saddam had Weapons of Mass Destruction - WMD which turned out to be non-existent. Yet at the same time he bases the UK's existing WMD in Scotland and refuses to rule out a new generation of nuclear weapon.

"Over the course of this Parliamentary term the SNP will be highlighting the contrast between the billions Labour wants to waste on a new generation nuclear missile for the Clyde, alongside the cuts which mean no future for the best infantry regiments in the world.

"Tony Blair would prefer the empty grandeur of a weapon that is useless in the struggle against global terrorism instead of the forces who can actually root out terrorist groups.

"Over the course of this term, the SNP group will publish a cross-party Bill giving the Commons the final say over expenditure on any new nuclear missile.

"If the choice is between dedicated Scottish soldiers who can play a role in peace keeping and the war against terror and the posturing of a new nuclear deterrent, our decision is clear. We will back Scotland's soldiers over Blair's weapons of mass destruction."

Friday 30^th December

DCMS doesn't spend a penny on staff or buildings in Scotland

SNP Deputy Leader in the House of Commons, Angus Robertson MP, has condemned the Department of Culture Media and Sport for an unacceptable London bias as parliamentary answers revealed:

- the top 10 civil servants collectively earn over £1m and are all based in London

- the total salary bill for the department is £16.7m and it is all for staff based in London

- the department pays £4.5m in rent for properties, all in London

- a further £952,000 in rates is paid to City of Westminster and Camden councils

Mike Weir The DCMS is responsible for what are regarded as UK wide issues including the National Lottery, the BBC, the London Olympics, Visit Britain and even the Remembrance service.

Commenting Mr Robertson said: “These are shocking figures which show the appalling London bias of the Culture department. Every single member of staff is based in London, working in some of the most expensive property to be found anywhere in the world.

“This department is supposed to represent the whole of the UK, but it is clearly short-changing Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the regions of England by spending millions of pounds of our money only in London.

“The government is quick to point out the money that is spent on public services in Scotland, but it ignores all these millions spent on civil servants and government departments in London. There is a real and hidden subsidy.

“The top 10 civil servants in this department earn over £1 million between them. That is money paid for by Scottish taxes and it is high time Scotland got its fair share.”

Note: the following parliamentary answers detail the picture:

Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was paid by her Department in 2004-05 in rent for properties in (a) total, (b) each (i) region and (ii) nation of the UK and (c) London. (12 Dec 2005 : Column 1638-39W )

Mr. Lammy: The Department for Culture Media and Sport paid rents for properties in London as follows in 2004-05 (this is the net figure after receipt of rental income from private sector tenants): £4,499,755.

The Department did not pay any rent outside London in 2004-05.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was paid by her Department in rates to each local authority in the UK in 2004-05; and how much was paid in (a) each (i) nation and (ii) region of the UK and (b) London.

Mr. Lammy: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport paid rates as follows in 2004-05:

City of Westminster, London—£716,655.07
London borough of Camden—£167,354.93

The Royal Parks Agency paid rates as follows in 2004-05.

City of Westminster council, London—£68,400

The Department did not pay any rates outside London in 2004-05.

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff are employed by her Department in each (a) region and (b) nation of the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Lammy: As at 1 December 2005 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport had 517 employees (502 full-time equivalents), which are all based in Central London.

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what proportion of each civil service grade in her Department is located in each (a) region and (b) nation of the UK; what the average salary is for each grade; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Lammy: All 517 staff (502 full time equivalents) in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are based in central London. The average salaries for each grade at 1 December 2005 are shown in the following table.

Grade	Civil service equivalent	Head count	Average salary (£)
SCS payband 2 and above	—	10	101,067
SCS payband 1	—	20	63,794
A(U)	Grade 6	21	54,150
A	Grade 7	96	43,577
B	HEO/SEO	175	29,509
C	EO	128	21,490
D	AA/AO	67	17,524

Saturday 31^st December

SNP TOP OF THE POLLS IN LOCAL BY-ELECTIONS

The Scottish National Party has taken a clear lead over Labour in local by-election results across Scotland since the May general election. Taking all 10 local by-elections the SNP has:

- achieved a swing of almost 9% from Labour

- the largest cumulative vote

- gained 5 out of 10 by-elections held and is the only party to gain seats

- taken two seats held by Labour ex-Council leaders

The cumulative results show the SNP is on course for victory in 2007, taking seats from all the other parties.

Bruce Crawford Commenting, SNP Business Convener, Bruce Crawford said:

“These are excellent results and show that the SNP is on track for success across Scotland this year and in 2007.

“Our community based campaigns have focused on delivering better public services and making a difference. We want a Scotland that is wealthier, communities that are safer and families with more opportunity to succeed. Where Labour has let Scotland down, the SNP is determined to put Scotland first.

“These next elections are about Scotland and only the SNP can beat Labour across the country. We are the alternative government and as Labour’s unpopularity grows, more and more people are turning to the SNP.

“These results show a growing mood for change in Scotland after almost nine years of Labour’s low ambition. We have an Executive without vision and a parliament without power – it is time to move on.“

Note – the following shows a break down of local results:

1. Cumulative vote of all 10 council by-elections* since 2005 election

*PARTY*	2005 Vote	2003 Vote	2005 %	2003 %	% Change	Seats Won	Change in Seats
SNP	4,514	4,057	31.05%	22.38%	+8.67%	5	+5
Labour	3,965	6,592	27.28%	36.37%	-9.09%	3	0
Tory	2,317	2,971	15.94%	16.39%	-0.45%	2	0
LibDem	1,840	1,763	12.66%	9.73%	+2.93%	0	0
SSP	271	705	1.86%	3.89%	-2.03%	0	0
Ind	1,547	2,038	10.64%	11.24%	-0.60%	0	-5
Green	66	0	0.45%	0%	+0.45%	0	0

Note: The SNP gained 4 seats previously held by Independents and 1 from Labour.

2. Winning against strong Labour campaigns

In Loanhead the Labour party’s Ex-Council Leader had previously held the seat for 17 years until narrowly losing it by 12 votes in 2003 to an independent. He stood in the 2005 by-election but was beaten by the SNP who increased their vote by 29%.

In Auchtertool & Burntisland East the seat had been held by John MacDougall before he became MP for Fife Central. The SNP vote increased by 22%.

In Herbertshire the SNP took the seat in a ward they had never held before and with a long tradition of voting Labour. The SNP vote increased by 27%.

3. On target to win seats from all parties in 2007

Cumbernauld & Kilsyth would be gained from Labour
Galloway & Upper Nithsdale would be gained from the Tories
Kilmarnock & Loudoun would be gained from Labour
The SSP would lose list seats all over Scotland to the SNP

4. The 10 council by-elections held since 2005 election

SNP wins in bold.

Scottish Borders Council
Kilnknowe & Clovenfords
Held: 9 June 2005

Aberdeenshire Council
Huntly East
Held: 9 June 2005

North Lanarkshire Council
Kildrum & Park
Held: 16 June 2005

Falkirk Council
Herbertshire
Held: 11 August 2005

Fife Council
Auchtertool & Burntisland East
Held: 29 September 2005

Dumfries & Galloway Council
Lochside
Held: 13 October 2005

Glasgow City Council
Knightswood Park
Held: 10 November 2005

City Of Edinburgh Council
Murrayfield
Held: 10 November 2005

Midlothian Council
Loanhead
Held: 10 November 2005

North Lanarkshire Council
Kirkshaws
Held: 8 December 2005

Monday 2^nd January 2006

NOT A PENNNY SPENT ON STAFF OR BUILDINGS IN SCOTLAND

SNP Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Angus Robertson MP, has accused the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of featherbedding London and forgetting Scotland and the rest of the UK after parliamentary answers revealed all of the FCO’s UK operations are based in London and the South East.

Parliamentary answers show:

- the rates bill of £3.48 million all paid to English local authorities, with £2.84 million paid to the City of Westminster

- rental of £1.54 million paid for properties in the South East including £1 million in London

- £6 million in London subsidies paid to staff

- all UK based FCO staff in London or the South East

Tower Bridge, London Commenting Mr Robertson said:

“The Foreign Office is guilty of a huge London bias. It spends millions boosting the economy of London and the South East, using money raised from Scottish tax payers.

“Not a penny is spent on staff or offices in Scotland, and yet the FCO claims to offer a service for the whole of the UK.

“They occupy some of the most expensive real estate in the world, and surely it would make sense to base more staff in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the English regions.

“We live in an era of instant communication and there is absolutely no reason the FCO can’t join the modern world. They need to stop feather-bedding London and start remembering tax payers in the rest of the UK.”

Note – the following parliamentary answers were received:

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was paid by his Department in rates to each local authority in the UK in 2004-05; and how much was paid in (a) each region of the UK and (b) London in that year. (13 Dec 2005 : Column 1955-56W)

Ian Pearson: Rates were paid on Foreign and Commonwealth Office buildings to local authorities in the UK in 2004-05 as follows:

		£
Local authority	Site	Amount paid
City of Westminster	Old Admiralty Building	718,980.14
City of Westminster	King Charles Street	2,120,400.00
City of Westminster	1 Carlton Gardens	⁽⁶³⁾1,089.00
City of Westminster