Letter: Minority voice

With the word British in the title, it is to be expected that the Scottish management of the CBI would be against further fiscal devolution (Opinion, 12 June).

Whilst economies of scale can make big organisations more efficient, in government devolution to the lowest level often makes for better decision making. The gradual increase in devolution is inevitable and modern IT systems make processing tax quite simple.

The reality is that the CBI only represents a tiny majority of industry and even then many of its members are in favour of greater fiscal devolution. We must be aware that it is not advisable to pay too much attention to lobbying organisations which only represent a small, biased view, whether they be trade unions, employer's organisations like the CBI or other groups like the Tax Payer's Alliance, all of whom get media exposure beyond their actual democratic position.

The CBI should recognise that fiscal devolution is perfectly sensible and is not going to increase bureaucracy. By next year all employers are going to have to make their returns online and since the full postcode system recognises the difference between various parts of the UK, there is no need for additional work. In fact if council tax is replaced by local income tax, then it would not require any further work by employers since all the required details are on file.

The Scottish Government must make its decision on what is best for the country not the management of the CBI.

BRUCE D SKIVINGTON

Strath Gairloch

Wester Ross