This referred to a feasibility study into setting up a centre in the MediaCity complex in Salford, offering services to companies across the UK and sharing facilities with the BBC’s interactive learning unit.

The report said, “The primary aim of such a centre is to address issues around skills development, offering graduates the work-related training necessary to enable them to secure their first job in the industry.

“The opportunities offered would build on training and skills work such as that established by Abertay University, Dundee, which has demonstrated how to successfully equip graduates for work in the industry.”

However, Mr FitzPatrick noted that 3000 jobs in and around Dundee were dependent on the digital media sector, and is worried that businesses might move away if a rival was established.

He said, “The UK Government proposals for a centre of excellence in Salford are both dangerous and bizarre.

“To ignore what is already the centre for UK gaming will result in resources and graduates being split between the two locations, and both Dundee and Salford will be left behind as other countries overtake the lead we have built up.

“Dundee is home to 10% of the UK’s computer games companies, Abertay had the UK’s first undergraduate degree in computer games technology and Scotland has three-quarters of the undergraduate courses currently available in the UK.

“Dundee is widely recognised as being at the forefront of computer games development in Europe, so it should be the natural choice for any UK centre of excellence.”

He said the Scottish Government had already demonstrated its commitment to Dundee, through the creation of a £3 million centre of excellence in computer games education at Abertay.

As well as writing to the Scottish Secretary, Mr FitzPatrick is also planning to ask Scottish ministers to put pressure on their UK counterparts.