Andrew Cubie of CBI Scotland said that business leaders were less concerned about political arguments over devolution than the economic implications a parliament's tax powers.
Also today, the chairman of Scottish and Newcastle Brewery, Sir Alistair Grant spoke out against devolution. Sir Alistair told the annual general meeting of Scottish and Newcastle that businesses could suffer if income tax or business rates were raised. However, he said that if a parliament were created, his company would co-operate with it. He also encouraged businessmen to stand for election to the parliament.
The chairman's remarks echoed a passage in the company's annual report which warned that if a Scottish Parliament were to use its tax powers, it could make Scottish goods and services "significantly uncompetative".
Sir Alistair defended his right to speak out on the subject of devolution: "I persist in doing so because 40 years in business has convinced me that the economic performance of a country is the aggregate of the performance of its wealth creating sectors, whether they be business, professions or even higher education establishments."
Donald Dewar later responded to Sir Alistair's comments: "I am very sorry Scottish and Newcastle have entered the political argument. The parliament...will not make Scottish industry uncompetative. There is no power to vary corporate taxation," he said.
