On immigration

As is often the case with SNP rhetoric, Kenny Macaskill’s comments that Scotland should have its own immigration system don’t stack up (Perspective, 12 March). His comparisons to other countries allowing for “regional flexibility” simply ignore two crucial facts.

First, other countries have completely different laws, administrative systems, and individual rights, than we do in Scotland and the UK generally.

Secondly, the SNP has not madeanyproposalsforchanges to these things which would enable such flexibility to work here. The Secretary of State for Scotland confirmed this when I asked him questions on these points at the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee in the Scottish Parliament last week.

Before Kenny makes his pejorative comments about the Secretary of State, he should explain why his own party is doing the usual bluff and bluster while at the same time failing to set out any actual plans to achieve their supposedly lofty goals. GORDON LINDHURST MSP

Lothian Region, The Scottish Parliament

The Scotsman welcomes letters for publication – 300 words maximum – from all sides of public debate. Include date and page when referring to an article, avoid ‘Letters to the Editor in e-mail subject line. No attachments. We reserve the right to edit letters. Send submissions, with full address and phone number, to:

❚ lettersts@scotsman.com ❚ The Editor, The Scotsman, 30 Queensferry Road, Edinburgh EH4 2HS;