Heed Sir Ian

Andrew Beck and Sean Reilly (Letters, 22 August) give their views on Sir Ian Wood’s comments on the future of Scotland’s oil production figures.

The flaw in their argument is comparing Scotland’s reserves with Norway’s. They start with the premise that a equals b. This is a way of always reaching the conclusion that you want.

I would rather heed the words of Sir Ian Wood, the country’s foremost expert on such
matters and someone who Alex Salmond has been quite happy to quote in the past.

Sir Ian’s words are based on a lifetime in the industry, in which he’s backed his judgment with his own money and, as a result, is reputed to be worth £1 billion. How many of the gainsayers from the ranks of SNP experts or supporters can come close to matching that?

Donald Lewis

Gifford

East Lothian