THE first evidence sessions of the new-look House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee will take place in Scotland, it has been announced.

MPs will visit Edinburgh and Dundee as part of the committee’s autumn programme of work with the former relating to its inquiry into the work of the committee itself and the latter relating to its inquiry into the creative industries in Scotland, focusing on the digital industries and broadcasting.

"I am very pleased to announce that the first evidence sessions for both of our initial inquiries - looking into the work of the Scottish Affairs Committee and the creative industries in Scotland - will take place in Scotland," declared the SNP's Pete Wishart, who chairs the committee.

“These visits are part of a commitment to bringing the work of the committee to the people of Scotland and making sure their views are represented.

“I hope that these are the first of many committee meetings in Scotland during this Parliament.

"We will be visiting Edinburgh to take evidence on what the Committee should be looking at during this Parliament. This will inform the decisions we make about our future work in the coming months and years."

Dundee is a major hub for the digital creative industries and is also the first city in the UK to be awarded City of Design status. It is also to be home to the £80 million V&A Dundee museum.

“We are planning to hear from industry representatives to find out how UK policy - particularly around tax reliefs and intellectual property rights - affects them and could do more to support the creative industries in Scotland,” explained Mr Wishart, who represents Perth and North Perthshire.

The 11-strong committee is made up of four Conservative members, four Nationalist members and three Labour.