New Statesman Scotland
Tam Dalyell MP has found consolation in the midst of his doubts about the wisdom of devolution. Investigating the work at the Marine Research Station at Dunstaffnage, near Oban, he found to his delight that Scotland will soon be self-sufficient in caviar. This all seems a splendid emblem of new Labour achievements, but in fact the caviar research programme began under the Conservatives. Are there to be shoals of sturgeon in Argyll, then? No, this is the caviar or roe of the less-than-romantic lump fish. Lump fish is such an unbecoming name, Mr Dalyell is anxious to receive suggestions for happier alternatives. Does anybody know the Gaelic for lump fish?
Oban Times
The British Waterways Board has been made a separate government agency, half-way to privatisation, some may say. Its balance sheets include an unusual accounting dilemma. As the Caledonian Canal includes Loch Ness and its canal lock gates, how do they account for the Loch Ness Monster? Is it an asset or a liability? Is it a tangible asset, or merely goodwill? There is nothing about mythical creatures in the accountant's textbooks, and BWB's accounts are coy. With the soon-to-be-reopened Forth-Clyde Canal as Scotland's most enjoyable millennial project and the tiny Crinan Canal connecting Loch Fyne to the Atlantic, the BWB finally confesses that it is in the leisure industry, not the freight business.
Sunday Times
Post this article to
We want to encourage people to comment on our content and to exchange views with other readers and hope this will be done on a courteous basis. However, if you encounter posts which are offensive please let us know by using the 'report this comment' facility or by emailing comments@newstatesman.co.uk and we will take swift action where necessary.
