GERS figures are reliable

Sir, - Mr Les Mackay (March 30) would do well to choose his “experts” more carefully.

All Richard Murphy has proven is his lack of familiarity with the convention of how economic statistics are compiled and presented and offering them as Westminster figures has no credibility whatsoever.

GERS was compiled for the Scottish Government by Scottish civil servants and it is standard practice to base such reports on estimates.

There is a supplement within the GERS report detailing the confidence attributed to estimates made and there is a code of practice for official statistics, to which GERS adheres.

Should Mr Mackay wish to seek genuine expertise, he might consult Professor Ronald MacDonald, research professor of macroeconomics and international finance (economics) at the University of Glasgow, or Professor Angus Armstrong, director of macroeconomics at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) and previously head of macroeconomic analysis at HM Treasury.

Both will testify to the veracity of the GERS statistical methodology and, therefore, the conclusions that may be quite legitimately drawn about the strengths and weaknesses of the Scottish economy from these Scottish Government figures. Hamish Hossick. 7 Ogilvie Court, Broughty Ferry.