The future promotion of Scotland as an international film location was put in jeopardy this week when an Indian film unit ran into trouble getting visas granted. If Mel Gibson proposed to make Braveheart 2 in Scotland it is unlikely he would have faced any visa difficulties for his crew, so why is it that Asians faced difficulty?

Dayavanti Pictures - one of India's top film companies - were due to start filming a £2 million movie in the Highlands of Scotland this weekend, but 16 of their 80 cast and crew were told by the UK authorities in Bombay, their visa applications were unlikely to succeed, therefore jeopardising the whole film project.

The case was brought to my attention by an Asian Scot who is to act in the film and had persuaded the company to use Scotland. He also helped to organise the accommodation for the large crew during their five week stay in Scotland. I immediately contacted both the Scottish Office and Foreign Office asking them to urgently investigate this matter. I also contacted the British Film Commission and the Highland Film Commission, who both agreed to make representation to the Foreign Office. On Thursday I then spoke personally to Scottish Secretary, Donald Dewar and also raised the matter with Ann Taylor as Leader of the House. The case was very urgent as the crew were due to fly to Scotland the following day.

I was then delighted to hear that the Foreign Office moved quickly to resolve this matter and all bar a couple of the crew were granted visas. However I still see no reason why all of the visas were not granted, and why Dayavanti Pictures faced this treatment from UK authorities. It is disgraceful that any company about to put money into Scotland and raise the profile of the country should be treated this way and it is vital it does not happen again.

Dayavanti Pictures have been assisted by the Highland Film Commission and the Highland Council's Economic Development Department in making their arrangements for filming and have already spent over £150,000 in accommodation, coaches, flights etc. They are not the first Indian film company to use Scotland as a backdrop. Another film company made a film in the Borders a few years ago, another used Inverness last year (and are planning to come back), and it is their glowing reports of Scotland's scenery and people that helped persuade Dayavanti to come to Scotland instead of Switzerland, where many Indian film-makers do their overseas filming.

Another four Indian films are now finalising details which will involve shooting scenes in Scotland, which is all good news for our economy and profile as an international film location and holiday destination - 900 million people will see the beautiful scenery of Scotland in these films!

That is why it is vital that the government keep their pledge to promote Scotland as an international film location, and ensure that film companies are helped not hindered to come to Scotland. If the cast had been from Hollywood rather than Bollywood would they have faced the same treatment?

Alex Salmond MP
Leader
Scottish National Party

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Alex Salmond is the Member ofParliament for Banff & Buchan and is leader of the SNP. An economist aged 42 , he is widely regarded as one of the most effective Scottish politicans of his generation.

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If you would like to know more about the SNP and HELP SCOTLAND contact snp.hq@snp.org.uk or visit the official the Scottish National Party web site.

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