The Scotsman Publications Ltd.

– in the House of Commons at 3:30 pm on 7 July 1987.

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Photo of Alistair Darling Alistair Darling , Edinburgh Central 3:30, 7 July 1987

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 20, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the current industrial dispute at The Scotsman Publications Ltd, Edinburgh, and the future status of The Scotsman as a national newspaper following the dismissal of all editorial staff this morning. This is a specific issue. It concerns two titles—The Scotsman and the Evening News in Edinburgh. It concerns an industrial dispute which is not about pay or new technology but about the status of The Scotsman. It is an important issue because The Scotsman is one of Scotland's national newspapers, now in its 170th year. The issue is one of standards, coverage and the reduction of status. It is important because any damage to quality or the demise of The Scotsman would be a severe blow to Scottish journalism and the Scottish people. The Secretary of State for Scotland appointed an emissary to meet the management, just as I met with them, to ascertain what advice we could offer to bring about the end of this dispute.

The matter is urgent because all editorial staff were dismissed this morning. They received a terse letter from the editor, and it appears that management are determined to impose a settlement on their terms alone. As I said, the representative of the Secretary of State and I met the management. Although we were told that there was a chance of resolving the dispute, it now seems clear that management have no intention of negotiating. Instead they are engineering a confrontation. In short, we are at the brink of what could be a catastrophe for Scottish journalism.

Photo of Mr Bernard Weatherill Mr Bernard Weatherill , Croydon North East

The hon. Member asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he believes should have urgent consideration, namely, the crisis at The Scotsman Publications Ltd. I have listened with great care to the hon. Member, but I regret that I do not consider that the matter which he has raised is appropriate for discussion under Standing Order No. 20. I cannot, therefore, submit his application to the House.