Anger at Lord Provost's £6000 trip to India - for a book fair

COUNCIL leaders have come under fire for plans to spend £6000 of taxpayers' money sending the Lord Provost and his wife on a trip to India for a book fair.

Councillor George Grubb and his Lady Provost wife Liz have been invited to Kolkata, formerly called Calcutta, as part of the Indian city's bid to join Edinburgh as a Unesco City of Literature.

The proposal would see the pair attend the Kolkata Book Fair in January, accompanied by a council official, where they would help promote the Capital at a Scottish stand being held there.

Officials have estimated around £6000 would be needed to cover travel costs for the five-day trip.

However, the Evening News has found flights for three people at the same time in economy class for just under £2000.

The protocol for Lord Provost trips abroad is that business class flight tickets are bought for the Lord and Lady Provosts, while any accompanying officials are put in standard class.

Officials today said no decision had been taken on what tickets will be bought for the trip, if it is approved by councillors next week. The British Council has agreed to meet accommodation costs.

Jim Inch, the council's director of corporate services, has recommended councillors approve the trip, and said it "would considerably enhance Edinburgh's standing in India in terms of cultural relations, educational links and tourism".

But Councillor Andrew Burns, the city's Labour leader, said: "I think it is an inappropriate time for this sort of expenditure, especially when the council is looking at cuts to school budgets or its Fairer Scotland allocations.

"I am not commenting on the merits of this specific trip but it is just that I'm sure the voters of Edinburgh can think of better uses for that money."

Alastair Paisley, the Tory councillor for Edinburgh Pentlands, added: "My personal reaction is 'No thank you'. George should stay at home and sort out the problems here. I don't think there's a street in Edinburgh that couldn't use £6000.

"I think most people in Edinburgh will see this as a jolly."

But deputy council leader Steve Cardownie said he fully supported the trip. He said: "People should remember we're an international city. I think it's entirely appropriate that the Lord Provost should travel abroad to promote the city.

"We're talking about a drop in the ocean compared to the £1000 million the council spends each year."

And Councillor Cameron Rose, the city's Tory finance spokesman, said: "I don't think we should get into these penny-pinching arguments about these sorts of civic trips. They do have a lot of value for the city."

When asked if the Lord Provost's wife should go on the trip, Mr Rose replied: "Every ambassador needs a consort."

The Kolkata Book Fair attracts over 2.5 million visitors a year and is the biggest fair of its kind in Asia.

The British Council estimates there will be 50,000 people on the Scotland Pavilion every day to learn about Scottish literature.

A replica of Edinburgh Castle is being built as the entrance to the Scottish Pavilion.

Among the events being planned for the pavilion are exhibitions by the Edinburgh City of Literature, the National Galleries and the International Book Festival.

A spokesman for the Lord Provost said: "Lord Provosts' consorts and Lady Provosts have played an important, active role for the council for many years.

"The current Lady Provost has a very busy schedule, works hard to promote the city and is occasionally required to accompany the Lord Provost on official visits and engagements.

"This particular visit is part of a wider British Council effort to strengthen Scotland's relationship with Kolkata and it is important that Edinburgh is at the centre of this to make the most of any opportunities."

Councillors on the policy and strategy committee will decide on the India trip on Tuesday.