SNP Trident toll plan a 'gimmick'

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Nationalist plans to implement tolls on the transportation of nuclear warheads have been dismissed as "a stupid gimmick" by the first minister.

The SNP claim that up to £85m could be raised by their proposal to impose a levy on Trident.

However Jack McConnell said the plan was simply a tactic to divert attention from its lack of clear policies.

The SNP wants to impose a £1m toll on every nuclear weapon which is brought into Scotland.

SNP leader Alex Salmond said the "Trident toll" would use devolved powers over local taxation.

'A powerful deterrent'

"I believe that most Scots would rather see the government spend money making Scotland a safer, healthier and fairer country than wasting it on nuclear weapons," he added.

"This Trident toll will be a powerful new deterrent, and we hope will make the UK Government think again about bringing a new generation of nuclear bombs to Scotland's shores."

However Mr McConnell said the policy was merely an attempt by the SNP to gain publicity.

"I think the SNP want to talk about everything apart from the issues that matter in Scotland today - like education, health, crime and job creation," he added.

"What's important to the people of Scotland today is the creation of jobs, a strong economy, tackling crime, improving health and education services - and not this kind of stupid gimmick from the main opposition party."

'Ill-thought-out'

Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram questioned the legality of plans and said taxpayers would end up footing the bill.

Criticism also came from the Liberal Democrats who said that under the rules of devolution, Westminster would simply claw back the "Trident Tax" from money allocated to Scotland.

Lib Dem MSP Iain Smith said he had written to Mr Salmond asking him which of Scotland's public services would be cut to fund what he labelled an "ill-thought-out pledge".

"We know the SNP's sums never add up, but not working out that this policy could mean budget cuts for schools and hospitals shows just how irresponsible they can be," he added.

The Trident submarine fleet is based at the Faslane Naval Base on the Clyde.

Prime Minister Tony Blair announced plans late last year to upgrade Trident at a cost of up to £20bn.