SMITH ATTACKS INCOMPETENT HANDLING OF CREATIVE SCOTLAND BILL

3.45.00pm GMT Thu 8th Jan 2009

Liberal Democrat Culture spokesperson Iain Smith MSP has accused the Scottish Government creating confusion and uncertainty over the Creative Scotland Bill.

Mr Smith challenged the Culture Minister on this issue at today's (Thursday) Question Time in the Scottish Parliament.

Commenting, Mr Smith said:

"The uncertainty and confusion over the future of the Creative Scotland Bill is entirely the result of the incompetence of this Government.

"By going behind Parliament's back and setting up Creative Scotland without addressing serious concerns about its funding, Ministers have only added to the confusion surrounding this Bill.

"The Culture Minister must explain why she has refused my request to have a cross party meeting to discuss the best way forward for Creative Scotland. The Culture Minister must address the serious concerns that led to the Bill's financial resolution being rejected last summer."

Ends.

Notes to Editors:

The Scottish Government lost a vote on the financial resolution of the Creative Scotland Bill on the 18 June 2008