Campaigners want to know how much it would cost to retain the department, which is expected to be downgraded to a minor injuries unit next year.

They also want to know what impact retaining the emergency department would have on the construction of the ambulatory care and diagnostic centre (ACAD) at Stobhill and the wider restructuring of health services across the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.

Campaigners claim Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her deputy Shona Robison have so far failed to provide answers.

Now campaign chairman Councillor Charles Kennedy has written to the health board to ask for answers under the Freedom of Information Act.

He said: "Both Nicola Sturgeon and Shona Robison are treating the electorate with utter disdain and contempt.

"When I met Ms Sturgeon with others, I asked how much it would cost to retain the casualty department at Stobhill and what would be the impact on the rest of the business plan? Two very simple questions which Ms Sturgeon has refused repeatedly to answer.

"It seems that either the Health Minister does not know the answer to the questions, or perhaps she does know the answers and they are not to her liking."

Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "The planning and provision of local health services is a matter for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

"The board's proposals for the future pattern of acute hospital services, including Stobhill Hospital, received ministerial approval in 2002.
"As I have said before, I am keen that we move forward with the modernisation of Glasgow's hospital services.

"I do not think it would be helpful or indeed possible to reconsider all the decisions under the previous administration, many of which are now well underway.

"The new Stobhill Hospital, set to open to patients next year, marks a significant step forward in the modernisation of the NHS in Scotland and will be a model for future hospital planning."

More than 7,000 people have signed a petition launched by the Save Stobhill campaign calling for an independent scrutiny panel to be set up similar to the ones that saved A&E services at Monklands and Ayr hospitals.