Liberal Democrat Sports spokesperson Jim Tolson MSP has called on the SNP Government to come clean about its promise to provide children with free access to council swimming pools.

The Scottish Government has announced today that almost a million pounds will be invested in Scottish swimming.

Commenting, Mr Tolson said:

“While I’m sure that this investment will be welcomed by swimmers keen to emulate the success of the Scottish swimmers selected to compete at the Beijing Olympics, I want to know whether the SNP will keep its promise to offer free access for children to all council swimming pools.

“I’ve been trying to wring a straight answer out of the Minister for many months now and he has refused to meet with me to discuss the woolly and unsatisfactory answers to my parliamentary questions.

“The SNP has been promising Scottish children free swimming at council pools since 2004, but now they’re in government, ministers are shying away from this pledge.”