18th January 2013, 03:58 PM
Antipesto Wrote:Would a proposed Scottish Govt create a 'protectionist' policy for archaeological units (local govt works favouring local companies over larger 'English' ones like Wessex, or simply tax breaks/penalties to encourage Scottish set-ups or give them a home-ground advantage) or would it be the same situation as now, in all but name?
The same section of the Blog leapt at me - but more on the basis that the 'Yes Scotland' campaign explicitly wishes to remain within the EU hence freedom of trade and movement across national borders. As such it would be very hard (and subject to challenge) to introduce such an obstacle. I think this is one aspect where the Blog piece lacked foresight, a surge in archaeological enterprise (especially if promoted to underwrite the diverge of Scotland from RUK) would most likely support many companies that are not headquartered in Scotland as well as those that are ... in the same manner RUK Universities would still be likely to do fieldwork and PhDs within Scotland as they would in any other neighbouring EU country. The only catch for RUK companies would be if an independent 'within-EU' Scotland was neighbours to an ex-EU RUK ... ahh referendums.