Developing an energy policy that's best for Scotland

Alexander McKay (Letters, 28 August) favours a state of affairs whereby an independent Scotland would guarantee to import power from England generated by nuclear and coal-fired power stations. What a bizarre notion.

England now has a population of about 60 million, and both these sources of power are non-renewable. Coal, petroleum oil and natural gas are finite fossil fuels being rapidly depleted, and the global supply of uranium is also limited.

Following the problems of radioactive pollution at Dounreay, the Scottish Government has not been alone in opposing the construction of new nuclear power stations in Scotland, failing a solution to the problem of disposal of radioactive waste. This was also the position taken up by the previous Lib-Lab Executive.

Alexander McKay, instead of indulging his chronic provincial cringe and hurling abuse at the SNP, might consider how fortunate we are in Scotland in having the opportunity to develop a clean energy policy based on renewable resources which is commensurate with our present population and land area.

(DR) DAVID PURVES

Strathalmond Road

Edinburgh