Time for co-operation

Published on Monday 3 November 2008 21:03

I have just returned from a week with a parliamentary delegation to China during which we were shown the site being prepared in Shanghai for Expo 2010. These major global exhibitions take place every four years. This one is important not just for the Chinese market but for the 70 million visitors expected in total from all over the world during its six months of existence from May to October.

The design of the British pavilion has excited much positive coverage, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown, in launching it, secured a prominent site on the river bank. I was therefore appalled to learn from our consul-general in Shanghai (herself a Scot) that Alex Salmond's Scottish Government has overturned the decision of its predecessor to contribute 500,000 for a Scottish component in the pavilion.

I quite accept that there are occasions (such as next year's excellent Homecoming) when independent initiatives to promote Scotland internationally are appropriate; but there are also occasions when co-operation at a UK level is vital for the same purpose. Some 30,000 Chinese come to UK universities and here is a chance to attract more to Scotland. China has massive spending power for our consumer goods, and its companies are on the constant lookout for attractive sites (they love golf) within the European Union to set up branches.

I appeal to MSPs of all parties – including the sensible ones in the SNP – to get this extraordinary decision rescinded. This is a golden opportunity to showcase modern Scotland at a prestigious world event, and failure to do so smacks of cutting off our nose to spite our face.

DAVID STEEL

House of Lords

London