It's quite ironic, really, but if Scotland HAD been independent when the Bank bust up happenend, there would have been enough money from North Sea oil in the coffers to handle the crisis, just as Norway did. The Westminster government squandered the revenue with poor investment and, it must be emphasised, Scotland did and does not have full fiscal control hence the reason why the Treasury stepped in, the Treasury whose money comes from Scottish tax payers as well as English. It is a fact that Scotland contributes more to the Treasury than it receives back. Simon Jemkins had a good article in Friday's Guardian (11th May 2011), well worth looking up. Simon Jenkins