MORAY MP JOINS TOP ARMED FORCES SCHEME
Tuesday, November 20, 2001
Press Release from Angus Robertson MP
“AN HONOUR TO SPEND TIME WITH THE RAF”Moray Scottish National Party Westminster MP Angus Robertson has been accepted onto the prestigious Parliamentary Armed Forces Scheme. He will spend three weeks during 2002 with the Royal Air Force learning about the work of the RAF locally, nationally and internationally.
Mr Robertson is one of only six MPs selected to participate in the scheme with the RAF. Moray is one of the most significant constituencies in the UK with an RAF presence, containing both RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Kinloss.
Speaking after his invitation to participate in the scheme and an initial briefing at the Ministry of Defence Mr Robertson said:
“ I am delighted to have been invited to participate in the prestigious Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme. With so few MP’s able to take part, I am honoured to have the opportunity of spending three weeks with the Royal Air Force”.
“ The scheme is recognised as being extremely thorough, giving participants a detailed insight into the personnel, organisational and operational work of the RAF.
“ Both before and since the election I have shown a keen interest in the RAF and security policy, being the Westminster Defence spokesman of the Scottish National Party (SNP).
“ I have also worked hard to raise issues of concern to RAF constituents in Moray such as the planned privatisation of the MOD fire service at RAF Lossiemouth and childcare provision at RAF Kinloss.”
Contact:
Graham Leadbitter, Parliamentary Assistant– Tel: 01343 551111
e-mail Parliamentary Office
International Affairs
Monday, November 19, 2001
As you can imagine my office gets letters about all kinds of local and national subjects. Recently the postbag has been bulging with additional mail about a whole series of international matters. Constituents have been worried about humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, the use of cluster bombs and fair trade to help poorer countries.
These are subjects that were debated in full during the passing of two key new laws: on Development Aid and Arms Exports. I worked closely with Oxfam and a number of other important organisations to pressure the government to improve the legislation. Together with a Welsh colleague from the SNP’s sister party Plaid Cymru and a Liberal Democrat MP, we pushed for changes which would have made a real difference to many developing countries. It would have made it impossible for big arms companies to sell weapons to countries if it would undermine their economies. Despite the opposition of the Labour Party we managed to get nearly 80 MP’s to back us. Ironically Moray’s letter-writers on this subject and myself may now have to depend on the House of Lords to improve the law as it goes through Westminster.
Occasionally I manage to make it outside the House of Commons and support local Moray interests elsewhere in London. As our tourism industry faces a massive challenge following the terrorist attacks in the US, I took some time out to visit Scottish exhibitors at the World Travel Market. Thousands of tourism promoters and companies came to Earls Court from across the globe to drum up business. Right in the middle of things was a stand for Baxters and one of Moray’s best hotels the ‘Knockomie’ was also represented. It is heartening to see Moray based enterprises maintaining an excellent international profile, and they deserve every success.
Local businesses have also come up trumps and are making a dream trip possible for three children who are at primary schools in Buckie, Aberlour and New Elgin. They are sponsoring the kids and a parent on a visit to London where they will have tea at 10 Downing Street and get a tour of the House of Commons. Gleaner Oils, Lawnshall Services, J Gordon Williamson Ltd and Walkers Shortbread are all helping out and making the trip possible for the kids. Many thanks to them.
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Moray School-kids in Downing Street Visit
Sunday, November 11, 2001
Press Release from Angus Robertson MP
MP Angus Robertson announces successful competition winners
Three Moray school children are set to visit 10 Downing Street and have tea with Cherie Blair, wife of Prime Minister Tony Blair. Moray SNP MP Angus Robertson who received the invitation from Mrs Blair, today (Monday) announced the lucky winners who will travel to London at the beginning of December 2001. 45 Primary Schools throughout the area put forward the names of a pupil, and the three winners had their name pulled from a hat by Mr Robertson.
The three children are:
Callum Thain (aged 11), St Peters Primary School, Buckie
Gail Paterson (aged 11), New Elgin Primary School, Elgin
Eleaner Risdale (aged 12), Aberlour House, Aberlour
The trip is not funded by the government and local business sponsors are being sought to help cover the costs of the kids travel. Mr Robertson is appealing to local businesses to contact his office at 17 South Street, Elgin (Tel: 01343 551111) if they are able to help out.
Speaking after making the draw Mr Robertson said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for these lucky children to travel to London, visit 10 Downing Street and meet with the wife of the Prime Minister, Cherie Blair. I am delighted that they are able to come and I’ll also be giving them a tour of the House of Commons.
“Unfortunately it was not possible that all 45 primary schools could send a pupil on the visit, but I will be hosting a special event in Moray for all competition entrants. Can I appeal to any Moray businesses that might be able to help fund this educational visit to contact my office.
“The announcement came on the same day as Mr Robertson launched an information campaign in Moray. Posters and information cards are to be displayed in libraries, post offices and other public-places, letting constituents know how to get assistance from their MP. The House of Commons is funding the non-party campaign, which according to Westminster authorities is the first of its kind.”
Contact:
Graham Leadbitter, Parliamentary Assistant– Tel: 01343 551111
e-mail Parliamentary Office
WWII Flyers Honoured
Tuesday, November 6, 2001
People might imagine that work at parliament is all about the House of Commons debating chamber or attending various committee meetings. However much time is also spent meeting with groups and experts to learn about current or indeed past events.
It was a particular honour this week to be invited to meet with veterans of the Battle of Britain. Despite now being few in number it was a humbling experience to spend time with these heroes who did so much to stop the Luftwaffe and halt the advance of the Nazis during the Second World War. Great work is being done by the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, including the upkeep of a magnificent memorial to all RAF and allied pilots who lost their lives. If any constituents are keen to support the Trust or the ‘Friends of the Few’, which remembers the contribution of many former flyers from Moray, could you write to the address at the end of this column.
It is of course the time of year that we remember our service men and women and the many civilian casualties of war and I look forward to taking part in remembrance events in Elgin and elsewhere on Sunday.
As we remember the past sacrifices of conflict, the current campaign against international terrorism looms large. Our thoughts are with our service men and women and their families in the operations, some who are normally based in Moray.
I would like to thank the many people who have written, e-mailed and phoned me recently on the subject. The overwhelming majority have supported the campaign to bring Bin Ladin to justice, but are concerned that not enough is being done to help the innocent civilians in Afghanistan. I agree with the relief agencies, Church of Scotland and others who say that we should pause the bombing of populated areas, stop using indiscriminate cluster bombs and make more of an effort to get desperately needed supplies to starving displaced Afghanis. That is why I voted against the government in the House of Commons last week. MP’s have not been given a chance to vote on the conduct of the campaign to make changes, and the humanitarian effort is not receiving an adequate level of support. Both of these faults should be put right and my SNP colleagues and I will be doing everything that we can do to change that.
Since my last column I have been trying to help families at RAF Kinloss who have been concerned about planned childcare facilities. It now appears that a solution is being found to ensure that the high level of excellent current provision will be maintained in a new building. I will continue to do all that I can to help all my constituents including those attached to the RAF.
In the last weeks I became the first Scottish Westminster MP to give evidence to the Scottish Parliament. MSP’s were looking at the future of the European Union and wanted to hear what about the options are for Scotland. No surprises from me when I made the point that we should be a normal country with a seat at the top table getting the best deal for everybody in Scotland.
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