A SINGLE interpretation of the Scriptures need not be held by all members of the Church of Scotland, a leading theologian claimed yesterday.

Presenting the report of the panel on doctrine to the General Assembly, Professor George Newlands said the committee had compiled a new report on the Scriptures in a bid to make better use of the Bible in people's daily lives.

He said the panel had attempted to reflect the range of different perspectives within the church. ''We have experienced and gained much benefit from extensive discussion over most of the issues mentioned in this report and we have been surprised by the degree of consensus which has emerged. But we do not believe that one view of interpretation is necessarily to be held by all Church members.

''The Scriptures should be at least as accessible to people in our time as in former times. As we struggle in the next century for love, justice and full humanity, we want to see the Bible as a central resource.'' He said it was through the Scriptures that Christian action in society was shaped and faith nourished and deepened.