Fracking could have brought great benefits

Sir,– As the SNP meets to celebrate its “successes” and plan its future, it is worth considering some of the problems that face Scotland and are not being intelligently addressed by its government.

The anaemic 0.1% of growth in the second quarter of 2017 was hailed as “good news” by economy secretary Keith Brown.

One wonders what Mr Brown would regard as bad news.

Economists point out that even against the UK’S sluggish growth, Scotland is performing badly.

Fracking in Scotland has been – contrary to advice from the SNP’S own scientific panel – effectively banned, although processing the products of fracking elsewhere continues, for now.

In addition, taxpayers have now paid £30 million to support the Nicola Sturgeon Spaceport at Prestwick.

Prestwick’s advantage used to be that planes could land there in very high winds when they could not land at Edinburgh or Glasgow.

“Diverted to Prestwick” was a message that elicited groans from many travellers over the years.

That reason for its usefulness is now obsolete. It is said that Prestwick will become profitable in 2022.

But then that prediction comes from Derek Mackay, so we know what it is worth.

In sum, Scotland has a poor track record in growth but can afford to pass up the value that fracking would add to the economy and can support an airport that is a drain on the public purse.

Those involved in health and education must despair at this irresponsibility on the part of the Government.

Jill Stephenson. Glenlockhart Valley, Edinburgh.

Optimistic outlook: economy secretary Keith Brown.