A drive to have the Saltire flag displayed on the registration plates of new cars has been launched by the Scottish National Party.

The party's transport spokesman Kenny MacAskill said that 40,000 newly registered cars will arrive in Scotland on Sunday.

He said the number plates will either be blank at the side or bear "GB" under a European Union flag, despite a promise to change the law allowing Scottish symbols to be used.

Last year the government announced a u-turn on a ban it had imposed on national symbols such as the Scottish flag being placed on number plates but the new rules have not yet come into force.

The SNP wants Scottish number plates

Mr MacAskill said that drivers currently carrying plates with the Saltire and the letters SCO were unlikely to be penalised.

But he said that manufacturers and dealers bringing new cars into the country were unable to breach the law as it currently stands.

"Scottish drivers want to display Scottish number plates," he said.

"However, almost 40,000 new cars will drive off the forecourts on Sunday with the new registration, but so far it's still no go for SCO.

"The UK Government said they would address this problem, however no progress has been made so far. Scots motorists want their plates and want them now."

Outlawed symbols

The MSP said Westminster's failure to deliver the necessary rule changes meant the Scottish Parliament should be allowed to have control over the issue.

He added: "How many more new cars must be bought and driven on our roads before we get our national plates. It's time to drive SCO forward."

UK Transport minister John Spellar ordered the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to review the matter after complaints that the new regulations outlawed symbols which were previously popular with motorists.

Amid intensive newspaper campaigns north of the border, Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell joined Nationalists in backing calls for a change in the law.

And on 28 December Mr Spellar announced that the Saltire, Welsh Dragon, Cross of St George or Union flag could appear on plates, as well as the letters ENG, SCO or CYM, following the DVLA review.

At the time he said: "It is what the people of England, Scotland and Wales have asked for and strengthens their feeling of national identity."

Amended regulations

The DVLA insisted the rule changes should be in place within the next month.

A spokesman said: "The Government announced in December the intention to permit the display of national flags and symbols on vehicle number plates.

"Following consultation with the number plate industry over the specifications, The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Mark) Regulations 2001 are being amended.

"The amended regulations are expected to come into force within the next month.

"To date, the police have taken a relaxed attitude towards the display of national symbols. This approach is unlikely to change in the short period before the amended regulations take effect."