It pays to advertise?

One of the key jobs of an opposition Member of Parliament is to ask questions. To test the resolve and preparedness of Ministers for the future. To identify incompetance wherever it exists.

And on those, hopefully few, occasions when it occurs, to uncover unethical behaviour on the part of governments.

So when I received a letter from the Enterprise Minister in the Scottish Parliament enclosing a poshly printed card extolling her ‘success’ in something or other, I had wondered why she had produced it and how much it cost to do so.

It didn’t take to establish ‘why’. She was speaking at a conference and needed a hand-out. Fair enough then?

Not when my Parliamentary Question revealed that it had cost £8,960! And the leaflet actually contained fewer words on its subject of “Scotland’s Economic Future” than this article.

But then perhaps the Scottish Executive only had a few hundred words to say on the subject. Perhaps that why Scottish unemployment has risen again this month when elsewhere in the UK it continues to fall.

Our economy continues to grow more slowly, even shrink, while the UK grows. Shortage of ideas, shortage of boldness and meaningless leaflets instead of meaningful action.

But at least in the North-East we see people taking things into their own hands.

This week’s purchase of Fisher Foods by interests locally based gives us a fighting chance of avoiding the risks of decisions being made by distant head offices. Think of Simmers – thankfully now moving into local ownership. Think of our prison – local campaigners have impressed people across Scotland. And now Fishers ‘going local’. All very welcome.

But the Enterprise Minister’s little leaflet had created a mental itch that I just had to scratch.

Just how much were the Liberal-Labour Executive actually spending on useless advertising?

And no sooner than had I tabled a question on the subject than our local TV weather forecasts are being sponsored by the NHS. Grrrrrr!

Not that I grudge Grampian a wee bit advertising revenue. And I am an avid watcher of weather and find the recently introduced ‘fly through’ forecast which relies on computer graphics, particularly fascinating.

But do we need more customers for the NHS? And will we get them through TV advertising?

So what answer did I get this week on advertsing? A fourfold increase in Executive advertising since they came to power in 1999. Last year they spent £6.6 million of our pounds and could have been on target to spend about £7.5 million this year but for my question.

Apparently they have spent £3.5 million on road safety advertising over the last three years. Hands up anyone who opposes ‘road safety’. Thought so – none of us.

But how many accidents have been avoided by spending this £3.5 million on advertising? I don’t know and the waffle which came with the answer wasn’t reassuring either.

The real story wasn’t the numbers. It wasn’t the waffle.

As soon as my answer was delivered to me, the First Minister announced that he was ‘taking control’. The Finance Minister would review existing plans and spending would fall by a quarter.

Does that sound like there was a good reason for spending all that money on advertising?

No! You have been found out again guys and gals. In the Scottish Parliament, opposition backbenchers like me CAN change government policy. What about Peterhead Prison next week please?

Leisure Pursuits

Even during the Parliament’s summer recess, I have to drop into to Edinburgh from time to time. I had forgotten that it is festival time.

That meant that I had to press my way in past a crowd outside watching a fire-eater’s free show. And then by a group of tumblers tempting serious injury on the cobbled pavement outside the High Court.

Even more adventurous, in my view, were the performers sitting on the ‘Heart of Midlothian’. This is a design on the pavement indicating where the town gallows used to be. And the Edinburgh citizens take it as a matter of pride to spit on it as they pass. Urgh!

But all the commotion reminded me that we benefit from ‘time off’. Not just once a year, but a regular period of relaxation.

Watching TV is probably what most do most often. Smoking still engages large numbers in our society although a new report this week shows that even three ciggies a day doubles health risks.

But our pleasures are addictive and cost money.

Lots of pursuits – like my hobby of flying – are regarded as expensive. But in fact I spend the eqivalent of 14 cigarettes a day on my hobby. But the cost of constant work would be higher.

So I will try to enjoy Edinburgh for a couple of days. Especially if it is free!