No report from inquiry

AN INFLUENTIAL Scottish Parliament committee is to quiz businesses leaders and UK and Scottish Government ministers about their views on the economic impact of the independence referendum — but not produce a report on the findings.

An inquiry into Scotland’s economic future following next year’s vote is being launched today by the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee.

The inquiry, which is expected to last around four months, will focus on issues at the core of the referendum debate including monetary and fiscal policy, trade and investment issues and welfare and equality, with entrepreneurs — as well as experts from academia, representatives of civic Scotland and both campaigns — offered a platform to debate their vision for the future of the Scottish economy.

However, there will be no report published about the outcome of the evidence sessions because the SNP majority and opposition minority members would disagree on the findings.

Committee convener, Mid Scotland and Fife Tory MSP Murdo Fraser, said: “We realised at the outset, given the numbers in the committee, it was highly unlikely we could agree a wording for one report.” Meanwhile, the Scottish cabinet were quizzed about the White Paper on independence by more than 300 civic Scotland stakeholders at a meeting in Edinburgh yesterday.

Picture: PA. First Minister Alex Salmond during the Scotland’s Future stakeholder engagement event at the EICC in Edinburgh yesterday.