The SNP claim investment under independence would lengthen lives

Leader Alex Salmond has been discussing Norwegian health investment with political and business leaders in Oslo.

Life expectancy in Scotland is three years shorter than in Norway, but Mr Salmond said this gap could be closed within a decade of independence.

However, Labour claimed the bill for separating from the UK would cost taxpayers billions of pounds.

Norwegian health measures include individual waiting time guarantees and free fruit for schoolchildren.

By building a fairer, wealthier and healthier Scotland, we will match Norwegian life expectancy Alex Salmond SNP leader

Men in Scotland have an average life expectancy of 74.2 years compared with 77.1 years for men in Norway, while Scottish women live to 79.3 years compared with Norway's 82.

Mr Salmond said: "Independent Norway is in so many ways a good role model for Scotland and there is no reason why we cannot match Norway in the ultimate test of better health - life expectancy.

"It is my ambition and aim that within a decade of independence, by building a fairer, wealthier and healthier Scotland, we will match Norwegian life expectancy."

The SNP leader was also holding talks about Norway's oil investment fund, which he said could be mirrored using funds from North Sea oil and gas.

Norway, which has a similar population size to Scotland and is also an oil producer, has just been voted the best country to live by the United Nations.

Mr Salmond said Norway's fund had risen to �123bn - about �25,000 per head of population.

The only way the SNP could pay for this shortfall would be to either raise taxes or make drastic cuts to schools and hospitals George Foulkes Labour

Scotland could have a similar fund within 10 years, worth �100bn, he said.

However, Labour's George Foulkes said the SNP's plans would require tax rises.

He said: "Breaking up Britain would remove billions of pounds from the public service budget in Scotland.

"The only way the SNP could pay for this shortfall would be to either raise taxes or make drastic cuts to schools and hospitals."

During his visit to Norway, Mr Salmond was also putting forward ideas for co-operation between the Scottish Executive and the Norwegian government to create a North Sea "electricity super-grid".

The grid would allow electricity generated from wind, tidal and wave power off the coasts of Scotland and Norway to be exported direct to continental energy markets.