Dover House in London is the Scotland Office’s base and has in the past held receptions for the Scottish Fashion Awards and the Scotch Whisky Association.
Now an SNP MP has asked Scottish Secretary David Mundell about the current use of the Scotland Office in London. Clearly there is a political edge to the questioning as the SNP feel that they are now in London in such numbers that a Scotland Office is both expensive and unnecessary.
In response to a series of parliamentary questions seeking the number of public engagement events that have been held in Dover House aimed at promoting Scotland’s place in the UK and across the world lodged by Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman, the only answer from the Scotland Office has been “a variety of events.”
The Fife MP has now written to the Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell to ask for greater clarity over how to hold events in the building and the ways in which the venue can be used to promote Scotland on a global platform.
Commenting, Douglas Chapman MP said: “Too often the Scotland Office has worked against Scottish interests and, with Scottish taxpayers paying for this grade-one listed mansion, it is not unreasonable to ask what it is actually being used for.
“David Mundell says Dover House is used for a variety of events, including by third parties, and so he should publish full details instead of providing evasive answers. Given the significant running costs of the Scotland Office people should be able to see how this asset is being used to promote Scotland’s interests.
“I fail to see the need for David Mundell to be unclear and imprecise in his answer to my questions.
“The SNP have long called for the Scotland Office to be scrapped – especially in light of its running costs soaring despite a shrinking remit – but if these calls are to be ignored Dover House’s only purpose should not be as a palatial suite of offices for Mr Mundell.”
You can read the question lodged by Margaret Ferrier MP and the answer provided by David Mundell by clicking here.
Open House London offers one way of getting in to Dover House at least on a Sunday. Click here to book a visit to the Georgian mansion at 66 Whitehall. Open House London explain: “The building became the Scottish Office in 1885. For a period during the Second World War it was used as the London headquarters of General Montgomery. Since 1999 it has been the London headquarters of the Scotland Office and the Office of the Advocate General for Scotland.”
Have you attended an event at Dover House in recent times? Do let us know if you have! theedinburghreporter@gmail.com
Photo – Dover House Uploaded to Creative Commons by Kurpfalzbilder.de
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
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