Liberal Democrat Finance spokesperson Jeremy Purvis MSP has revealed that
the SNP Government has spent nearly half-a-million pounds of the
taxpayers' money on their National Conversation.
Answers to Parliamentary Questions lodged by Mr Purvis show that the
combined total for staffing costs, holding and attending events,
publicity, publication design, branding and staging materials has come to
£464,143.Jeremy Purvis MSP: Finance spokesman
Commenting, Mr Purvis said:
"This is the most expensive one-sided conversation in Scottish history.
It is a monologue from SNP Ministers, not a dialogue with the Scottish
people. It has cost the taxpayer almost half-a-million pounds to listen to
the SNP have a conversation with themselves.
"Ministers have simply been asking a question which they already know they
answer to. The SNP want independence and isolationism for Scotland, the
Scottish people don't.
"At a time of economic recession this is a waste of time and a waste of
taxpayers' money.
"Across Scotland struggling families, individuals and businesses are
having to tighten their belts. It is time the SNP did the same and
abandoned this pet project.
"The SNP Government must drop it immediately and support the Liberal
Democrats in making Calman's recommendations on more powers for the
parliament a reality."
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