ALMOST 3000 people have applied for jobs on quangos in Scotland since the Government advertised vacancies two weeks ago, writes Murray Ritchie.
Scottish Secretary Donald Dewar said: ''This is encouraging news at such an early stage in the campaign and underlines the fact that many Scots wish to have a greater say in the running of their country.
''It is expected that around 300 vacancies will arise on Scotland's public bodies over the next year or so and the fact that there has been such an immediate public response confirms the untapped potential within the country.
''This is exactly the sort of response the Government wishes to see in a changing Scotland on the verge of a new millennium and new Parliament.''
Advertisements began appearing in Scottish newspapers immediately after Mr Dewar announced his plan to broaden representation on public bodies.
The recruitment campaign will run until the middle of next month.
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