10 Jan 2002
Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell will today urge leading Scots to remind the public of the benefits membership of the EU has brought, starting with the 350,000 Scottish jobs that depend on trade within the EU.
Speaking at a European Parliament reception in Glasgow, Mrs Liddell will urge straight talking to make sure the public are given the facts about Europe. Mrs Liddell will say:
"Europe is important to Scotland and its people have a right to know that. But day in, day out they are subjected to fairy stories and downright lies about the EU. Sections of our media who would rigorously check any other story seem to adopt a different standard whenever they get Brussels in their sights.
"We’ve all seen the stories about fishermen wearing hairnets and about straight bananas. But every month brings fresh media fictions about Europe.
"We have been told the EU will ban lorry drivers’ fry-ups. That milk bottles are to be outlawed. That chip shops will have to sell fish under their Latin names. That our trunk roads and motorways will be stripped of their "A" and "M" numbers. That every fire engine and police car with a flashing light is illegal. And even that department stores will have to hire ‘Mother Christmases’.
"Against this torrent of falsehood, it’s a tribute to the good sense of the general public that its attitude toward Europe remains broadly positive. And a tribute also to the hard work of all who strive to ensure that European institutions are properly understood here.
"Speaking up for Europe isn’t just a job for ‘professional Europeans’. It’s one for all of us who know the benefits that membership of the EU has brought for our people and who realise how much they have to lose. And that means above all Scottish business.
"Over 350,000 Scottish jobs depend on our trade within the EU. 62 per cent of Scotland’s manufactured exports go to the EU. Let the business leaders whose firms depend on Europe spell this out to their workforces. Nothing convinces people more than self interest.
"I know the benefits of active EU membership, and I will encourage others to speak out."
On the euro, Mrs Liddell will say:
"The single currency is now a reality in the pockets and purses of 300 million Europeans. And although not legal tender, there are shops here in Scotland accepting euros alongside our own currency.
"The introduction of the euro in 12 member states was an unprecedented logistical challenge. To date it has gone remarkably smoothly but that won’t stop the sceptics claiming it has failed.
"Prior to 1 January, the sceptics had a simple message: "It won’t work". But now the single currency is in use, will they acknowledge its success? Not on your life. They will simply ignore the facts and declare: "It isn’t working because I say so."
"That’s why we need to make sure people know about European issues, including the euro. For it is the people who will decide, in a referendum, on whether the UK participates not the pundits. And the people are entitled to the facts."
NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS
1. The reception will be hosted by the European Parliament Office in Scotland and will be held at Hutcheson’s Hall, Ingram Street Glasgow.
2. The European Parliament Office in Scotland was founded in 1999 and holds a reception each year in Glasgow.