SCOTS historically have had more influence in the affairs of the UK than their numbers warrant. The present government is a prime example.

After devolution, this influence will diminish both nationally and internationally and Scots will be forced to concentrate on Scottish affairs, only a mere fraction of the UK interests.

Scottish nationalism, already unhealthily evident, will strengthen even further and the historical aversion to everything Anglo-Saxon will ultimately break the UK apart.

As a Scot, my memories of UK history revolved around Wallace and Bruce, Mary Queen of Scots, the evil Edward II and the ugly barren Elizabeth I - the manure necessary to ripen nationalism. On law and order, if Scotland decides to re-instate corporal punishment, then what? Would Scottish criminals prefer trading in England? Scottish representation in Westminster will be reduced to 60 MPs to come into line with the rest of the UK. Their interests, however, will be less than other MPs.

They will not represent their constituencies on education, the top priority concern at present; health, the second top priority; law and order, at present of considerable concern; agriculture, about to be a major concern of Europe; and, finally, fisheries, also a major topic in Europe.

There, Scottish MPs will only be doing half the work of their English counterparts. Should they not receive only half pay or, better still, be reduced in number to nearer 30 and save enough to finance 750 students at university?

A 3p in the pound increase in tax nationally would solve all our NHS and education finance problems, yet Scots might be asked to pay this increase just to have an assembly, with none of this increase going to health or education.

MR S HUGHES, Cranshaw Drive, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.