GOVERNMENT RUNNING SCARED FROM TACKLING REAL ISSUES - SMITH

4.00.00pm GMT Thu 27th Nov 2008

Liberal Democrat Culture spokesperson Iain Smith MSP has attacked the Scottish Government for running scared from tackling the serious issues facing the country.

Rather than addressing some of the many difficulties facing Scottish families during the current economic crisis, the Scottish Government are today holding another St Andrews Day debate.

Commenting, Mr Smith said:

"Although Liberal Democrats support attempts by the Scottish Government to strengthen the place of St Andrews Day as the official celebration of Scotland, this is not really the most important issue that the Scottish Government should be debating at this time.

"Shopworkers in High Streets across Scotland are facing an uncertain future. Thousands of bank jobs at risk by the Lloyds-HBOS merger being forced through by the UK Government. And more and more people facing losing their homes as banks fail to pass on interest rate cuts.

"Now is the time for the Government to be bringing forward constructive proposals about how it will implement its "six point plan" for economic recovery for this Parliament to consider and debate, rather than another filler debate on St Andrews Day."

Ends.