ALBA/SCOTLAND: SUPPORT FOR SNP INITIATIVE ON FUEL COSTS

The Celtic League have written to the SNP government expressing support for measures to address the crippling rise in fuel costs for those living in remote rural areas of Scotland.

The issue was considered at the recent Celtic League AGM in Dublin.

"Jim Mather MSP Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP

Jim.Mather.msp@...

Dear Minister Jim Mather MSP

Celtic League AGM resolution

I am writing to you on behalf of the Celtic League to make you aware of a resolution that was passed unanimously at our Annual General Meeting on 16th September 2008.

The resolution, in part, is relevant to the proposals that the SNP already put forward earlier this year with regard to the introduction of a fuel duty regulator to protect motorists and businesses and the lowering of fuel duty per se. The full text of the resolution is as follows:

This AGM:

1.1. Supports the SNP's call to lower fuel duty, as this comprises the majority of the cost of petrol in the UK, and is especially crippling in rural/island areas.

1.2. Emphasises that oil money should be invested in Scotland's post oil future as occurs in other oil rich states.

The Celtic League supports a lowering of fuel duty and believes that a fuel duty regulator would add much needed stability to fluctuating fuel costs. As you can see from the resolution above, delegates at our AGM were particularly concerned about the crippling effects that rising fuel duty has in rural and island communities.

In addition, the Celtic League believes that revenue obtained from oil extraction from Scottish waters should be invested in Scotland's post oil future (in the form of renewable energy). We appreciate that Scotland does not currently enjoy the full benefits of its own oil revenue (as yet) and that the SNP already has a great interest in exploiting Scotland's renewable energy potential, but delegates wanted to emphasise the importance of this investment for the future.

The Celtic League welcomes the debate that the SNP is furthering in this area and the innovative ideas that it is providing to find solutions to this crisis.

Yours sincerely

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot General Secretary Celtic League

CC Alex Salmond, First Minister"