There is concern on Tayside that devolution to Edinburgh will bring a new form of centralisation. The area already sees large transport projects to its south taking a big percentage of public spending.

For that reason it is not worried by the fact that responsibility for transport has not been given to the Scottish Parliament. ''Transport has to be seen in a European or UK context,'' said Harry Terrell, left, chief executive of Dundee and Tayside Chamber of Commerce and secretary of the Federation of Dundee and Angus chambers. ''We will see how it works out.''

Instead there is fear that a Scottish Parliament dominated by central belt interests will have little regard for Tayside's needs unless it raises its voice. The Chamber is already lobbying to have Scottish Government departments moved to Dundee.

''We have made representations on Government offices,'' said Terrell. ''We are lobbying for decentralisation with the Scottish Parliament. The fear is that things will be centralised in Edinburgh.

''It is up to us to press hard. We are not trying to cherry-pick particular departments but there are a number of administrative functions which, with technology, could be located outside of Edinburgh.''

The proportion of public money spent on projects of interest to the central belt is an irritant. ''We have the M74 and the amount of money that has been spent on it, then you reach the part before the M6 the English don't see the route going north as having a high priority.

Far less likely is its wish for a single international airport in the central belt. According to air industry sources the last time it was costed the bill came in at #800m: "When you look at the proportion of population and voting power in Scotland, the Scottish Parliament is going to be dominated by the central belt and west coast," said Terrell.