The Tory-LibDem Coalition was accused of forgetting about Scotland yesterday, after it emerged that an England-only body had been "awarded" almost a third of places for talented immigrants wanting to work in the UK.
Ian Davidson, the chairman of the Commons Scottish Affairs Select Committee, queried the choice of Arts Council England as one of the endorsing organisations.
The scheme is designed to allow the brightest and best in the fields of science, humanities, engineering and the arts to work in the UK.
Of up to 1000 places available over the next year, Arts Council England has been awarded 300.
Mr Davidson, the Labour MP for Glasgow South West, has protested against the decision and written to Damian Green, the Home Office minister, and Michael Moore, the Scottish Secretary, to ask what measures have been taken to ensure that Scotland does not miss out on talented immigrants.
Mr Davidson said: “This is a scandal. I have written to the minister to ask what specific arrangements have been made to make sure that Scotland gets its share of exceptionally talented migrants.”
The other bodies “awarded” places, according to the UK Border Agency, are The Royal Society, 300 places, The British Academy, 200, and The Royal Academy of Engineering, 200.
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