16/02/2012 Reporting Scotland

Welcome to Reporting Scotland. On the programme this evening.

A friendly handshake and then down to business. Talks between the

First Minster and the Prime Minister are dominated by how many

questions the referendum should ask. I believe that we need to put a

simple, straightforward and legal question to the Scottish people.

position is, let's listen to the people of Scotland.

In other news this evening. Rangers' administrators cannot find

a �24 million loan taken out by Craig Whyte. But so far none of the

players or staff has been laid off. In other developments in this story,

Celtic have hit out at Alex Salmond after he appeared to suggest they

needed Rangers. A big day for a little comic.

Ronnie Corbett and receives his C pay E from the Queen.

Also ahead. And Scotland as seen from Hollywood. But is Brigadoon a

film classic or a cringeworthy embarrassment?

People will be offered more powers for the Scottish Parliament if they

vote no to independence in the referendum. That was the surprise

offer from the Prime Minister during a visit to Edinburgh today.

David Cameron also held talks with the First Minister Alex Salmond,

after which both men claimed that progress had been made. Here's our

political correspondent, Raymond Buchanan.

At the moment, it is a waiting game. The battle for Scotland's future

could be years from a conclusion postop but now there is a new

option on the horizon, greater powers effort Scots reject

independence. -- greater powers if Scots reject independence. I am

looking at how the devolved settlement could be improved

further. That does mean considering what other powers could be devolved.

But that must be a question for after the referendum. As he spoke,

there were scuffles outside between the police and anti-cuts protesters.

On the agenda with the First Minister was how would independents

work? -- independence. The colour of the political map was steering

the David Cameron in the face. believe that we need to put a

straight forward and simple and fair and legal question to the

Scottish people in a good time, which is to ask, do you want to

stay in the United Kingdom? And I hope that that is what people would

vote for. We have not made much progress on this issue which is

frustrating. The nub of contention is quite straight forward. Should

there be one or two questions on a ballot paper and who should decide

that? But how much support will Mr Cameron have? The Labour Party has

always said that devolution it is not set in stone. We want to make

sure that government works most effectively in the interests of the

people of Scotland. The Scottish government wants more details of

from Mr Cameron before people vote on their constitutional future.

Alex Salmond has described his proposals as a potential pig in a

poke. Quite a busy day all round. How

much have we moved it on? There has been no great a

fundamental change. David Cameron did not come to Edinburgh and

become and nationalist. Alex Salmond does not become a unionist.

But some will see David Cameron's offer of greater powers as some

form of progress. But Alex Salmond won some detail on that. -- want

tos some detail on that. We have some progress, but we do also have

that agreement that they are getting closer to deciding whether

it should be a yes or no question in the referendum, or whether there

should be a further question on greater powers. The UK and the

Scottish governments are asking the Scottish people for their views on

that. It is pretty clear where they need to find a resolution.

The administrators in charge of Rangers have given their first

assessment of the finances of the troubled football club. They said

they were hopeful that liquidation of the business could be avoided,

and revealed there had been several expressions of interest in the club.

Catriona Renton reports. It is now a two days since a

Rangers went into administration. This morning, players arrived at

the club's training ground still unsure about their futures. The

administrators now in charge of the club came to tell them as much as

they could from their investigation so far. Then, for the first time,

they held a press conference, taking questions but still looking

for answers. There will be some questions that I cannot answer

today. It is a very early stage of the process. It is our intention

that all answers to a relevant questions will be forthcoming over

time. They were able to reveal some extraordinary facts about a �24

million lone that Rangers are received. It went through a parent

company. We have not good visibility on that. In addition, it

was assumed that in administration, Craig Whyte would have first call

on the assets of the club. But today, the administrator has said

that was now in doubt. But they did reveal that there had been several

notes of interest in the club. We asked, where has all the money

gone and how much money has been put beyond the reach of the

administrators? That is something that we will lead to look into. We

have started the exercise but by a lot and a position to provide an

answer at this stage. The man at the centre of the storm, Craig

Whyte, was last seen outside the administrator's office in London.

Today, he kept out of the public eye.

Politicians have been expressing their support for Rangers and their

hope that the club will survive. But tonight their Old Firm rivals

Celtic hit out at claims by the First Minister that the Parkhead

club and other SPL teams cannot prosper without Rangers. In a

statement, Celtic said this was simply not true and the club had a

well-defined strategy, independent of the fortunes of any other club.

Steven Godden reports. Passionate views expressed on the

day that Rangers slipped into administration. Alex Salmond said

this... It is difficult for Celtic to do well unless there is

competition from Rangers. It is difficult for the Scottish leagues

to do well unless we have both sides of their old form. They

Celtic chief Executive it said this a...

We do not need Rangers in that respect. We have a robust stand

alone strategy. Celtic have It is to everybody's benefit that

Rangers continue as a football club, regardless of what club you support.

I did not minute to suggest that Celtic's finances for anything

other than firmly stated and well- founded. That was a simple

misunderstanding. The row highlights the sensitivities in

addressing Rangers' applied. -- plight. There are convincing

grounds for seeing Rangers as a special case. In terms of their

stature in Scottish football and also their wider place as an

important institution of Scottish culture. A bit we should be treated

as anybody else. -- I think. most significant opinion is still

to be delivered, the outcome of the tax tribunal.

You're watching Reporting Scotland from the BBC. Still to come on the

programme. Could new licensing rules make it

too expensive to run small-scale arts events?

In sport. More implications of Rangers' administration.

And they're at it again - the First Division strugglers who only seem

to turn it on in cup competitions. All that to come.

He's one of the country's best- known comedians and the surviving

member of a partnership that dominated our televisions in the

'70s and '80s. Today, Edinburgh- born Ronnie Corbett was at

Buckingham Palace to receive an honour from the Queen in

recognition of more than 60 years in showbusiness. Gavin Walker

reports. I have got a picture of home, we

were all sitting there. I was so small I could only have one measles

at a time. Ronnie Corbett is a giant of British entertainment.

Today, that status was recognised by the Queen as she made him a

Commander of the British Empire. She is a amazing for her age.

Standing there doing all these jobs, handing out these awards, full of

energy and sparkle. Probably grew up in Edinburgh. His performance

career began in 1950. But it was his work with Ronnie Barker for

which he became best known. Four Candles. Fork handles.

Even if that kind of comedy is not to your taste, he is very

accomplished at it. He knows what he is doing. He has got a very

genial, pleasant style. People remember very fondly the monologues

he used to do. 52 years after starting his career, he remains as

popular here as ever where ever I think he is wonderful. I they

could do with more people like him. He is a good advert for Scotland.

Ronnie Corbett left his investiture ceremony today with his daughters

and his medal. A man who has towered over British entertainment

for more than 50 years. Police investigating the abduction

and murder of the financial adviser, Lynda Spence, have confirmed that

they are searching a field in North Ayrshire. The 28-year-old has not

been seen since last April when she left her parents' house in Glasgow

Harbour. Police said a field in the Law Hill area of West Kilbride was

being searched in connection with the case. In November, four men

were charged with Lynda Spence's abduction and murder. Her body has

not yet been found. Artists and community groups are

claiming that changes to local licensing laws could mean events

and exhibitions being scrapped. From April, some small events will

need to be licensed by councils, but there's confusion and concern

over how the new rules are being put into practice. Here's our local

government correspondent Jamie Here we have a hard work from the

1950s. This morning runs a sewing studio

and Cathy. She picked on our exhibitions. If this constitutes an

exhibition, this is what you are faced with. I do not know how

legislation will affect me. These are temporary exhibitions. Do I

need a temporary licence or permanent? Here is why unlicensed

entertainment is taken seriously. On the day of the royal wedding,

this legal party descended into chaos. Changes to the law means

free events need a licence from April. It seems councils are

interpreting the law in different ways. We do not know where we stand.

We did not want this and advise the Government against it. The

Government say this is deregulated. This row is an example of what some

see as a bigger problem. Regulation is being enforced in different ways

in different periods. One group, meet claims businesses have to fill

out different forms, he charges and get different advice. People have

to comply with different sets of regulations. We argue that people

should have to say it -- well in the same forms. There could be

relief for this woman. Next week, Glasgow council courts to find the

way of ensuring this is not stopped. Scottish and Southern Energy

renewables has applied to build Scotland's biggest ever scheme.

An Aberdeen care home has stopped taking new admissions after a

complaint about staffing levels was upheld by Kieran spectres.

Ballot papers have been sent to voters and a referendum on plans to

transform the centre. Supporters say it will help the screen -- the

City survive after oil. A row has broken out in Orkney Islands

Council over expenses claimed by Stephen Hagen. He has been claiming

an accommodation allowance from his own house.

Or so's cold water surfing competition has been withdrawn

after a sponsor pulled out. Motorists in Dumfries and Galloway

are taking the hump over speed bumps. Some were so badly worn they

are doing damage to cars. Keepers at a Highland Wildlife Park

were struggling to find a mate for a polar bear. He is too closely

related to most captive polar bears to mate.

Here is the sport. The problems at Rangers. An

admission by the administrator places a huge question mark over

the club's ability to play next season.

The management team arrived this morning as normal but it was far

from normal morning. They had meetings with administrators. No

redundancies will be made at this time. The players were glad to have

a meeting. This was their first opportunity to speak to

administrators. Much remains to be decided in the short term for the

club. Further ahead, there is The uncertainty continues as

players picked questions over their own livelihood.

Celtic player Daniel Majstorovic has won an appeal after being sent

off. The Sweden international was shown a red card. The Scottish FA

has overturned it. Ayr United Borat It Again, knocking

a full-time team out of a cup competition. They have reached the

last eight of the William Hill Scottish Cup. They beat Falkirk

last night. All we are second top of the

division. Ayr United are at the rasping shot. Alcott appealed for a

penalty. They did not get one. Ayr United did get a penalty. The end

result was much more clear cut. Air United could have increased their

Some people have cruise liners named after them. I cannot think of

people who have buses named after them. Paul Lawrie is unveiling a

coach. He says he is playing the best golf of his life. It would be

nice. I have not played there since It is not a big call to get into

that tournament. Especially if I am going to qualify for the Cup team.

You must be in the Masters. Difficult to concentrate with that

hamster wheel in the background. Does Brigadoon make you cringe? It

is none the world over even though it was made in Holyrood. The

Glasgow Film Festival is trying to clean it. Hauling in's tale of a

magical Scottish village which appears out of the mists won an

army of fans. Brigadoon with its eight tartan and corny accents has

become shorthand for a kitsch version of Scott limbs. -- Scotland

because it is post-World War Two, that ability to have our...

Brigadoon * ERG gene Kelly visited Scotland. He did not persuade MGM

to shoot on location. He went to the Celtic Ali. It was Scottish

country dancing merged with barley. He went to Burns country. As well

as screening the film, there will be a special Keighley. Who knows,

we me even remake Brigadoon. What if someone made a new version now?

You could shoot on location. Scotland was the warmest part of

the UK's today. The cold is never far away. Tonight it will be cloudy.

Some show a Mac across the north of the country. -- showers. The East

always feeling better than the West. In the mid-afternoon, it will cling

on to the mild air. The further north and east that you are, the

drier and brighter it is. Into the evening, a cold front moving south.

There is the cold front moving south. For Saturday, we have an

early warning in force force no. -- no snow showers and blizzard

conditions. Take care. On Sunday, a better story across the country.

Fine and bright conditions. People will be off for more power

for the Scottish Parliament if they bought no. -- wrote more.

Chris Huhne and his ex wife have made their first appearance at

court accused of perverting the course of justice. He is alleged to

have asked Vicky Pryce to take his points.

Rangers are hopeful that liquidation can be avoided.

The parents of the 13-year-old stabbed to death in a Doncaster