Sir
Sean Connery has called for the Scottish Parliament
to be given the power to grant tax breaks to the
film industry so Hollywood blockbusters about
Scotland are made in Scotland.
Writing in Scotland on Sunday, the actor says
better incentives in this country could prevent
lucrative projects like Mel Gibson’s Braveheart
being shot in Ireland.
The Irish Republic has seen a reversal of fortunes
in its film industry since financial incentives
to make films there were introduced in the early
1990s.
Joining the election debate on MSPs being given
the power to spend all taxes raised in Scotland,
Connery - who joined the Scottish National Party’s
general election campaign team in Scotland this
week - writes: "Now I’m only an actor, what
do I know?
"Well from a film point of view, Ireland has shown
what it can do with full control over its own
finances.
"It can attract films from all over the world
- even ones that should have been made wholly
in Scotland. Remember Braveheart?"
Connery also hints that he intends to move from
the Bahamas to his native Scotland if and when
the country becomes independent.
He writes: "The minute that happens... well, to
quote a famous general, ‘I shall return’
- to help if I can."
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