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Public to question Cabinet on ‘Scotland’s Future’

Members of public and local representatives in West Lothian will have the chance to quiz ministers on independence and what it means for their area when the Cabinet meets there at the end of the month.

The Cabinet’s public meeting in Bathgate is the first in a series of Scotland’s Future engagement events which will take place at venues up and down the country throughout 2014. Full details of future visits and booking arrangements will be announced shortly.

The event, which will take place on January 28, follows the success of last month’s Cabinet stakeholder event where more than 300 representatives from organisations across civic Scotland had the opportunity to question Cabinet ministers on Scotland’s Future – the Scottish Government’s detailed blueprint for an independent Scotland.

First Minister Alex Salmond said:

“This visit to Bathgate marks the Cabinet’s first meeting outside of Edinburgh in 2014 and kicks off an exciting series of Scotland-wide events which will engage with the public this year.

“Taking the referendum conversation out to communities in all corners of the country provides an opportunity for us to meet people from a wide range of backgrounds and hear their views on independence as well as listening to their local questions.

“Over the next nine months the people of Scotland will be able to debate and decide on its future through a civic and democratic process. This is the chance of a lifetime and we want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to ask questions and air their views.

“We’ve already put forward our proposals for Scotland’s Future and demonstrated how the powers of independence can be used to build a wealthier and fairer Scotland, but it’s crucial everyone who lives and works in Scotland considers and discusses with others the sort of country they want Scotland to be in the future.”

Notes to editors

Scotland’s Future can be downloaded here: www.scotreferendum.com