21 September 2012
Dundee West MP Jim
McGovern has supported comments made by the Secretary of State for
Scotland that separation of Scotland from the United Kingdom would be
“disastrous” for the UK video games industry.
The Secretary of
State, Michael Moore MP, was responding to a question by Mr McGovern on
the likely effects of separation for the industry during a session of
the Scottish Affairs Select Committee in Westminster on Monday 17th
September.
Mr. McGovern also
pressed the Secretary of State to put pressure on the Treasury to make
progress with implementing tax incentives for the industry, which were
promised by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the last budget. Michael
Moore assured him that he would contact the Treasury about the issue.
Jim McGovern said,
“The views of the
Secretary of State chime with my own and many within the industry.
“If Scotland separates
from the UK this vital industry could be significantly harmed.
“After the recent
Scottish Government report, which ridiculously claimed the industry
contributed nothing to Scotland’s economy, despite industry estimates of
the industry putting £1billion into our economy every year, there are
serious questions to be asked about the SNP’s commitment to supporting
the industry.”
Mr McGovern
concluded,
“As part of the
United Kingdom
the video games industry will benefit from tax incentives and the
benefits derived from being a part of the world’s sixth largest economy.
“Separating
Scotland from
the UK would prove a very dangerous move for this and other industries,
as well as for the Scottish economy as a result.”