SCOTLAND has fallen behind Wales, Northern Ireland and the North of England as a centre for TV and film production, senior figures within the industry have warned.
Television executives and producers repeated calls for a purpose-built studio to be developed in Scotland as they gave evidence to MSPs.
Alan Clements, the director of content at STV, said Scotland was falling behind because it lacked political leadership and a studio facility capable of producing high quality drama.
He told Holyrood's economy committee Scotland was second only to London as a TV base eight years ago but had since been eclipsed by industry hubs in North West England, around Salford and Manchester, and around the Severn, straddling Bristol and Cardiff.
He said: "That's really a very, very poor performance and an indictment of public policy."
He added: "For so long there has been a lack of focus and a lack of leadership in this area.
"I think it is because Creative Scotland fundamentally has a cultural approach, which is very, very important in its own right but doesn't address the economic drivers of particularly the television industry.
"I think Scottish Enterprise has had a focus on other areas where they feel they are not stepping on the toes of Creative Scotland.
"The fact that there are two quangos involved means that the minister probably feels slightly inhibited in taking indirect action."
Drew McFarlane, of actors' union equity, said Scotland had also fallen behind Northern Ireland, where a studio has been created at a former shipyard.
Northern Ireland beat Scotland to be the location for Game of Thrones, the popular fantasy drama filmed by HBO.
Mr McFarlane said: "I think Northern Ireland has stolen a march on Scotland.
"They have an aggressive public body, Northern Ireland Screen, which doesn't have a huge budget but it seems to be a great driver.
"That's what we lost when Scottish Screen was abolished."
Leading TV industry figures, also including Ewan Angus, head of commissioning at BBC Scotland, Chanel 4 development manager Ian MacKenzie and independent producer Jane Muirhead, agreed Scotland should have a major studio.
Citing a Herald report on plans for a film studio in 1956, Mr McFarlane said: "We are still having the same debate today as we were back then.
"We need to put out money where out mouth is.
"Our members are leaving Scotland and going elsewhere because high-end TV production is taking place elsewhere."
Ms Muirhead said a decision by broadcasters to "lift and shift" programme-making to Scotland to meet production targets had damaged the "indigenous" industry.
She highlighted the example of schools drama Waterloo Road, which moved from the North of England to Greenock but whose production company closed its office in Scotland when the show was axed following disappointing viewing figures.
However Mr McKenzie said factual shows such as Location, Location, Location and Antiques Roadtrip, strengthened Scotland's TV industry.
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