SNP ministers gagged at key EU meetings THE Coalition Government has blocked SNP ministers from speaking out at key EU meetings, it has emerged. Fiona Hyslop addresses Scotsman conference in Edinburgh SNP ministers blocked from speaking at EU meetings Scotland needs more flexible immigration system - Hyslop External Affairs secretary Fiona Hyslop said she was told at a recent meeting in London that the Scottish Government should not even be making the request, prompting claims that it has "rolled back the gains of devolution." Ms Hyslop made the revelation at the Scotsman conference on A Question of Independence: Scotland's Place in the World. An independent Scotland will be an "equal and responsible member of the community of nations," Ms Hyslop said. She added: "It will be fully involved in decision making at an EU level, even including at European council meetings, representing Scotland's interests on the issues that are important to us without having to seek permission to do so. Only last Monday I was at a joint ministerial committee meeting on Europe where the secretary of state for the UK Government and the minister said we shouldn't even be able to ask to speak at the European Council. So even now, the gains made under devolution in a European context are being rolled back. That's an issue that has to be addressed. UK Minister of State David Lidington is now planning to look into the issue, Ms Hyslop added. Economy The cabinet secretary added that the growth rates in Scotland have lagged behind that of other small European countries. "That's why we should have control over economic decision making in Scotland and influential business figures such as Jim McColl have backed independence," she added. One of the controls that independence grants us to address this, is control over the immigration system. We recognise the very live contribution that migrants can make, not just to economic growth, but also in schools and communities helping create a rich and diverse tapestry of people who can contribute to and benefit from our society. For too long we have pressed the UK Government for flexibilities to suit Scotland's needs, to help us to come and study in Scotland and meet industry skill needs and for too long we have been denied any such changes. It is the only issue which has managed to unite the CBI, STUC, COSLA and Universities Scotland and the Scottish Government, Ms Hyslop added. That is why Scotland needs its own immigration system and independence will enable us to do just that. We would have options and choices enabling us to take decisions in the best interests of our country and to send a clear message to the world that Scotland is definitely open for business.