Bill Wilson MSP

SNP MSP, Dr Bill Wilson, has written to the manager of the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme (SPPS) urging her not to invest MSPs’ pensions in the tobacco industry.

Dr Wilson said, “The Scottish Parliament voted to ban smoking in public places some time ago and this year MSPs overwhelmingly supported the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 to further restrict smoking.  I am confident, therefore, that, like me, most of the other 127 MSPs who use the SPPS would not want their money to be invested in the tobacco industry.

“I understand that our money is currently invested in British American Tobacco, Imperial Tobacco and Japan Tobacco (respectively 1.33, 0.98 and 0.47 % of the total portfolio, according to Baillie Gifford Life Limited’s quarterly report dated 31 March 2010).  I have written to the Fund Manager, Mrs Eleanor McKee, asking her to consider changing this, and, if she thinks it necessary, to consult my fellow MSPs on their opinions.  It might not be practical for pension funds to be individually tailored to suit us all perfectly, but I do not think the undesirability of this particular investment will be controversial.”

Dr Wilson added, “This is, of course, a parliamentary matter and not a government one.  Nonetheless, I think it is important to note that every Scottish Government since devolution has sought to tackle the major health issue of tobacco.”

Notes to Editors

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