FRIENDS OF SCOTLAND AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCOTLAND

Early day motion 1844, tabled 31 October 2002 by Angus Robertson (Scottish National Party). Signed by 5 members.

That this House believes that the Friends of Scotland initiative to promote Scottish interests around the world could and should be an important means of enabling the Scottish diaspora and all residents of Scotland regardless of origin to make a positive contribution to Scotland; congratulates the members of the Friends of Scotland Advisory Group for the commitment and the ability that they bring to this important project; but notes with regret that Friends of Scotland is being mismanaged by the Scotland Office; further notes that a mere 136 people have been signed up by the Scotland Office to be Friends of Scotland at a public cost of ú260,000 not including staffing costs, and that a website established at a cost of ú67,000 has netted only 32 online registrations of interest, including just 12 from overseas; believes that there are millions of Friends of Scotland throughout the world but very few friends of the Secretary of State for Scotland; and calls for the responsibility and management of the Friends of Scotland initiative to be transferred from the Scotland Office in London to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 5.