7. To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review its prospectus for an independent Scotland, in light of reported divisions within the independence movement. (S6O-02234)

As set out in the First Minister’s recent policy prospectus, “Equality, opportunity, community: New leadership—A fresh start”, the people of Scotland will be given the information that they need to make an informed choice about whether Scotland should become an independent country. The Government will build the case for a thriving and socially just independent Scotland.

Ash Regan:

Many people across the United Kingdom will be looking at their household Bills, including their power bills, and at the problems that the UK faces, and many people in Scotland will be considering and, indeed, concluding that an independent Scotland is more important than ever. With that in mind, a cohesive, vibrant, creative and cross-party wider movement is important. It is important in designing a successful campaign, in presenting a united front and in going on to win Majority public support for independence. Does the Minister agree not only that establishing an independence convention is imperative but that there is an urgent need to do so now?

I agree with the point that the member made about the urgent requirement for Scotland to become an independent country. My task is to make the Government’s case through the series of prospectus papers that we will lay out. Three have already been published, and there will be more to come. That is the activity that I will undertake. Those papers will be laid before the people and will be a key part of making the case to the wider public.

When I take the temperature of the independence movement at the moment, I get a real sense of unity of purpose and a determination to work collaboratively towards that goal. I intend to play my part in that regard.

I take this opportunity to warmly welcome the Minister for Independence to his new post. I know that he will work very hard on a subject that is clearly not a priority for the Scottish people right now.

It is obvious from recent weeks that divisions in the independence movement have been trumped by divisions in the Scottish National Party. We have been treated to an internal melodrama of back-bench rebellions and infighting. On that note, the minister’s colleague Joanna Cherry recently described the Scottish Government’s independence papers as “lightweight”. Does he agree with her?

I thank Mr Cameron for his overdue warm welcome—it was certainly warmer than those that I have heard thus far.

It is an interesting perspective to say that we are not able to make the case for independence. The Government was, of course, elected on the platform of advancing that case. We have published three, I believe, compelling prospectus papers, and I can tell Mr Cameron that I intend to publish many more in the coming months.

What budget does the Minister for Independence have, and how many civil servants work directly to him?

That question has been put to me in written form by a number of members. Only one civil servant—my private secretary—works directly to me. However, it is incumbent on civil servants across the entire Government to respond to the Government’s priorities, of which independence is one. In that regard, the civil service is working towards our agenda.

We should be grateful to Ash Regan for genuinely and honestly referring to the divisions in the independence movement. However, she has been incredibly creative, with her most interesting suggestion being that estranged friends should be brought in from the cold. Will the Minister for Independence be seeking advice from former First Minister Alex Salmond when crafting his new prospectus?

I will be working with dedicated civil servants to craft the prospectus papers.

I am sure that the Minister will agree that one of the many strengths of the 2014 campaign was the wide range of organisations that were part of the yes movement at that time and continue to be so. What is the Scottish Government doing to engage with organisations in the wider yes movement in the development of those prospectuses?

I am in regular contact with a range of organisations. I am happy to engage with any organisation with an interest in the future of Scotland whether or not they support independence because, at the end of the day, the future of the country is everybody’s business.