AS the former director of The Scottish Film Council before it became Scottish Screen and subsequently disappeared into Creative Scotland, may I warmly welcome the emerging signs of common sense (“Call for new Scots film unit to be separate from arts agency”, The Herald, April 20)?

Of course, as most countries recognise, a national film agency requires a clearly independent identity to function effectively. Of course, it needs different kinds of staff and a different structure. Of course, such an agency is essential freely to promote all aspects of film and film-making. Of course, arts and film agencies never make happy bedfellows. All of this is totally obvious.

The great John Grierson, the “Father of the Documentary” was once asked if there would ever be a Scottish film industry. His reply was firmly in the negative, not because the talent wasn't available, but because it could never happen until the “public authorities” were “persuaded”, and that would not come about because 'the will is not there'.

The question, therefore, is whether the will is indeed now to be found in politicians, administrators, and, indeed, in the film-making community. But the timing is perfect for a new start in Scottish film.

David Bruce,

Rosebank, 150 West Princes Street, Glasgow.