Lib Dems reveal true cost of SNP'S national conversation

1.38.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 5th Jul 2009

Liberal Democrat Finance spokesperson Jeremy Purvis MSP has revealed that

the SNP Government has spent nearly half-a-million pounds of the

taxpayers' money on their National Conversation.

Answers to Parliamentary Questions lodged by Mr Purvis show that the

combined total for staffing costs, holding and attending events,

publicity, publication design, branding and staging materials has come to

£464,143.Jeremy Purvis MSP: Finance spokesman

Commenting, Mr Purvis said:

"This is the most expensive one-sided conversation in Scottish history.

It is a monologue from SNP Ministers, not a dialogue with the Scottish

people. It has cost the taxpayer almost half-a-million pounds to listen to

the SNP have a conversation with themselves.

"Ministers have simply been asking a question which they already know they

answer to. The SNP want independence and isolationism for Scotland, the

Scottish people don't.

"At a time of economic recession this is a waste of time and a waste of

taxpayers' money.

"Across Scotland struggling families, individuals and businesses are

having to tighten their belts. It is time the SNP did the same and

abandoned this pet project.

"The SNP Government must drop it immediately and support the Liberal

Democrats in making Calman's recommendations on more powers for the

parliament a reality."