Scotland in surplus of spin

For once, I am in broad agreement with Professor Neil Kay (Letters, 14 February). I am not an economist, and have no wish to be described as one. Economics has too much abstract theorising for my taste. When asked by the media, I describe myself as a specialist in Scottish public finances.

Moreover, I agree that I made no observations on the economics of independence in my appraisal of the SNP's "Scotland in Surplus" document. However, the SNP subtitled it as "the economic platform for independence".

My task is to debunk political spin wherever I find it. "Scotland in Surplus" has plenty of spin; so too have several of the Executive's publications I have appraised for the parliament. And there is more to follow. Watch this space.

(PROF) ARTHUR MIDWINTER, University of Strathclyde, Richmond Street, Glasgow