North Sea oil was used to benefit England

Sir, - I write in response to Rev Dr John Cameron (March 20) who offers another broadside at the SNP and all Scots who do not agree with his right-wing view of the world.

He cites the fact that Scotland has a massive deficit and the fact that North Sea oil profits have greatly reduced as proof that Scotland cannot cope financially.

Does he not realise that the deficit has been created by the Conservative, Labour and the Coalition Governments and not by the SNP?

As for the North Sea oil situation, Scotland has never benefited from the high price of oil as all the oil revenues went directly into the coffers of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in London.

Most of this enormous wealth was used to develop London and the south-east of England.

Scotland is lumbered with having to reduce the deficit whether we remain as an English colony or whether we see sense and regain our independence.

If we remain in the union we will soon have two other major bills heading our way.

Firstly, there is HS2 which is estimated to cost in the region of £50 billion. Scotland’s share will be around £5bn.

Then there is the cost of refurbishing the Palace of Westminster which is estimated will be in the region of £5bn to £7bn, Scotland’s share being about 10%.

If we become independent we will avoid these costs which will in turn go a long way to reduce our deficit.

I assume that being a minister means that Mr Cameron is a man of faith. It is a great shame then that he has so little faith in the abilities of the people of Scotland to manage our own affairs. Harry Key. 20 Mid Street, Largoward.

RAF Buccaneer jets protect platforms in the Forties Field in 1976 as North Sea oil comes on stream.