[{"id": 141196, "created": "2020-06-16T09:46:26.434200", "project_id": 467, "task_id": 90914, "user_id": 677, "user_ip": null, "finish_time": "2020-06-16T09:48:55.671359", "timeout": null, "calibration": null, "external_uid": null, "media_url": null, "info": {"comments": "", "graphelem": "Man", "leafletBody": "John Lamont MSP Answers your questions. "}}, {"id": 142960, "created": "2020-07-06T11:22:12.533639", "project_id": 467, "task_id": 90914, "user_id": null, "user_ip": "94.197.159.56", "finish_time": "2020-07-06T11:39:51.807209", "timeout": null, "calibration": null, "external_uid": null, "media_url": null, "info": {"comments": "", "graphelem": "John Lamont", "leafletBody": "John Lamont MSP Answers your questions...\r\n\r\nWill we still be able to use the UK Pound as our currency if Scotland votes to become independent? Edna Tait - Hawick\r\nNo. The Chancellor, Shadow Chancellor and Chief Secretary to the Treasury have all made it clear that the rest of the UK will not agree to Scotland using the Pound. They believe it wouldn't work and would end up being bad for Scotland and would not be in the interests of the rest of the UK.\r\n\r\nWhat impact would independence have on our membership of international organisations like the EU, G8 and NATO? Andrew Meldrum - Lauder\r\nThere are a number of unanswered questions about our membership of international bodies. The simple answer is that nothing is guaranteed. Most legal experts and the EU Commission agree that an independent Scotland would need to reapply to the EU and would have to join the back of the queue.\r\n\r\nHow would public services like the NHS and schools be funded in an independent Scotland? Karen Hume - Kelso\r\nIndependent experts at the institute for fiscal studies have stated that new spending cuts and tax rises would be needed to meet the shortfall. Scotland currently does well out of the UK, with public spending per head of population \u00a31400 higher than the UK average. \r\n\r\nWhat plans have been put in place to secure Scottish pensions following a Yes vote? Craig Wood - Coldstream\r\nThe Scottish government has refused to give people a straight answer on their pensions. They have not outlined the considerable costs and risks that come with setting up a separate pensions system. The best way to protect your pension is to vote No.\r\n\r\nIf Scotland votes No, are there any plans to give the Scottish Parliament more powers? Rachael Hamilton - Redpath\r\nThe Conservatives, Labour and the Lib Dems have all set out proposals promising more devolution in the event of a No vote. The only party who don't have plans for more devolution are the SNP who are only interested in separation.\r\n\r\nSome Nationalists say it is unpatriotic to vote No - do you agree? Moira Hughes - Duns\r\nScotland doesn't belong to any one individual political party or campaign. There is absolutely nothing unpatriotic about protecting our interests and standing up for our shared values. Together as part of the United Kingdom we have achieved great things and continuing that partnership allows us to stand taller and shout louder in an ever changing and more challenging world.\r\n\r\nCan you tell me the positive case for staying part of the United Kingdom? Trevor Adams - St Boswells\r\nAs part of the UK Scotland enjoys the best of both worlds - with a strong Scottish Parliament, with the guarantee of more powers, backed up by the strength, security and stability of belonging to the UK. We get all the advantages of being part of a larger economy, whilst making our own decisions on the most important issues like health and education. \r\n\r\n"}}]