Donald Dewar: a devolved government "would be more tuned in"

Dewar: Devolution Will Help Rural Scotland

Speaking in Lochgilphead, Mr Dewar told the Convention of the Highlands and Islands that a Scottish parliament would not be dominated by the concerns of Scotland's central belt. He said the Government was determined that "voices from all parts of Scotland are heard".

All rural issues including transport, land reform, housing and education would be on the parliament's agenda.

And at meetings in Aberdeen and Dundee, the Devolution Minister, Henry McLeish, said the process would ensure that Scottish issues would no longer be ignored because "Westminster had other priorities".

No longer would matters vital to Scottish industry and culture "fail to find a proper voice", he said.

Speaking to an invited audience of key local figures, Mr McLeish said that fishing and farming would be key items on the agenda of Scottish parliamentarians, who would have a right to be heard by the European Union.