At First Minister's Questions last week, Graham Simpson MSP raised the potential closure of Alexander Dennis in Falkirk and Larbert. He higlighted the issue of Scottish Government funding for Chinese buses which has contributed to the bus manufacturer's decision to consult on a restructure for its UK operations.
Graham Simpson MSP said: "There have been various funds from the Scottish Government to help bus companies buy electric buses. That money, our money has gone to buy Chinese buses.
"Some of us were warning years ago that this would end in tears. And that's where we've got to. The First Minister says there's a problem with the Subsidy Control Act but we've known about that for years. Why is he only now wanting to do something about it?"
The potential closure of Alexander Dennis in Falkirk and Larbert could have been staved off if we weren't spending public money on Chinese buses. We have known about this for years but it is only now that government is waking up. It may be too late.
