Scottish Independence: Business views assessed

ABERDEEN and Grampian Chamber of Commerce today announced plans to assess the views of more 4,000 businessmen and women in the North east as part of the Independence referendum debate.

Professor David Bell will carry out the survey. Picture: Complimentary

The major survey is to be carried out by Professor David Bell, an eminent Scottish economist currently on secondment from Stirling University, in partnership with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce.

The Chamber is also planning to give its members the opportunity over the next 15 months to meet the leading political figures in the debate to express the views of industry in the area.

Robert Collier, the chamber’s chief executive, said: “The Scottish constitutional debate will lead us to 18 September 2014, and a once in 300 year decision.

“We will all give the matter serious consideration but we won’t stop doing all the other things that are important to us until then. However, when the date arrives, we all want to be informed and the Chamber has gone on record as wanting to adopt a thoughtful approach which can give us robust foundations for analysis.”

He continued: “Launching this first survey is just one step, albeit an important one in our efforts to support our members.”

James Bream, the research and policy director at AGCC, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with one of Scotland’s most eminent economists to conduct this study into what the business community in Scotland needs to know in the lead-up to the referendum next year

“We will be non-partisan and transparent throughout the next year on this subject and look forward to presenting our findings.”