"Low turnout would be a tragedy"

Scottish Devolution Campaign Gets Advertising Boost

The campaign will run on TV and in newspapers until August 21, giving details on how to register for proxy or postal votes in the referendum.

The Scottish Secretary, Donald Dewar, said it "would be a tragedy if on September 11 we did not have a proper test of public opinion because the don't knows or the don't cares were in the majority."

"For that reason we have made it as easy as possible for everyone who is eligible to vote to be able to do so, including those people who will be going away from home on the day of the referendum."

Dewar Hints Age May Deter Him

Mr Dewar has hinted that he might feel himself too old to seek election to Scotland's proposed parliament.

Asked if he would go to the assembly, he said: "I would have gone to a Scottish parliament, I think, if I had been a younger politician."

However, pressed to rule out a move northwards, he said: "I cautiously reserve my position, but I am 59 and there is the little matter of a lot of talent out there."

Speaking on the BBC's Think Tank, he said he believed there were many people who had not been involved in Westminster or other politics yet who would be "sparked into politics" by the establishment of the assembly.