Proof of London lies about Scotland's oil wealth

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Countries with oil often get cheated of their wealth.

On 30 march 1977, London government minister Edmund Dell wrote a briefing document for the UK Cabinet about North Sea oil. (Salmond claims ‘proof of oil cash deceit’)

This document has now been made public under the 30-year rule.

Dell stated:

"The great majority of the profit (from North sea oil) would accrue to Scotland, and would represent almost a doubling of the Scottish GDP."

Jim Callaghan's Labour Cabinet in London decided to create a specific region called the UK Continental Shelf to hide the fact that most of the oil revenues should go to Scotland.

Scotland's First minister Alex Salmond says this is "proof positive of Westminster deceit" over Scotland's oil wealth."

Salmond continued: "As recent official figures show, an independent Scotland would move up the EU league table from 10th to 3rd in wealth per head, with our North Sea oil and gas resources included in Scotland's accounts.

"This is the reality that the London-based parties have been desperate to suppress for decades, but the truth is now out."

Salmond said that with oil prices at a record high, and huge reserves remaining, we must "make sure that Scottish control and opportunity replace the Westminster chicanery of yesteryear".

Salmond pointed to Norway's Oil Fund which is now worth £177bn, securing the benefits of their oil wealth "virtually for ever".

Salmond added: "If we are to enjoy the same benefits from our oil as Norway, then we must make our own future as an independent nation, and learn the lessons of Westminster's deceit."

The top three nations in terms of Gross Domestic Product per capita could be Luxembourg, Ireland and Scotland.

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