Date: 21 May 2009 Brocklebank: Why no screen industry representative on Creative Scotland Board? Ted Brocklebank MSP, Shadow Minister for Culture ,has challenged the Culture Minister over his failure to appoint a prominent figure from the screen industries to the board of Creative Scotland. At Question Time at Holyrood today, Mr Brocklebank asked:
“The Minister will recall that when the distinguished film maker Iain Smith resigned from the board of Creative Scotland he claimed that in its haste to form the new body the SNP government was in danger of ending up like the surgeon who said: ‘The operation was a success, but unfortunately the patient has died’. Was Mr. Smith right in his diagnosis? Has the Minister been able to recruit anyone with his screen industry credentials to replace him on the new board, and if not, when might such an appointment be made?'
Speaking afterwards, Mr Brocklebank said:
“The Minister specifically ruled out appointing a senior figure from the screen industries to replace Iain Smith. I find it astonishing that Mike Russell does not think that a body which is currently merging the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen does not think it appropriate to have someone on its new board representing the vital film and video industries.
“Having lost the experience of Iain Smith, it is important that all sectors are represented and I would urge the Minister to ensure that his next appointment to the board is from the screen industries.” | 
