We were surprised to read the comments of Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, regarding the future of credit unions in Scotland ("Independence threat to Scots credit unions", The Herald, June 10).

Like those throughout the world, Scottish credit unions are member-owned, ethical providers of financial services and our common core co-operative values mean that there is already a significant sharing of knowledge and pooling of resources on a local, national and international level.

That, plus the fact that credit unions currently enjoy significant cross-party support in both the Scottish and UK parliaments, means that we are confident that Scottish credit unions will continue to flourish regardless of the outcome of the independence debate.

We are disappointed at suggestions to the contrary."

Kenny MacLeod,

Chief executive officer,

Scotwest Credit Union,

Elmbank Street,

Glasgow.