As the consequences of the industrial action at the Grangemouth oil refinery become increasingly serious Nicol Stephen, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland has written today (Saturday) to both the UK and Scottish Governments seeking reassurance that they are putting emergency plans in place to deal with the developing situation.

In his letter to UK Government cabinet minister John Hutton, Nicol Stephen wrote:

“The UK Government should be spelling out its contingency plans for dealing with this situation. Ministers must be absolutely transparent about what they intend to do should the dispute worsen.

“The Government should have learned from the fuel shocks of 2000 the importance of providing clarity and certainty to reassure the public.

“It may be that the emergency powers are better put in force earlier rather than later.

“There are growing problems for the Scottish economy and an increasing potential for harm. For example hauliers limited to £20 of fuel for a 500 litre tank, pump closures along the A9, diesel shortages hitting farmers and the fishing industry.

“People expect the two Governments to be considering the very detailed steps that might need to be taken is substantial harm becomes a reality.”

In a letter written along similar lines to Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, Mr Stephen added:

“Much of the burden of implementing the emergency action and the impact falls on the Scottish Government.

“It may be that the sooner they are seriously considered the better the outcome.

“Has your Government asked for these powers to be sought by the UK Government? Have discussions taken place to consider the nature and extent of the powers that might be needed to be deployed?”