March 2003

MORAY MP CALLS FOR FREE FORCES POSTAGE

Monday, March 31, 2003

Moray MP Angus Robertson has called for free postage to the Armed Forces deployed in the Gulf.

The SNP Westminster Defence Spokesman raised the issue of expensive postage charges during questions to government ministers in the House of Commons.

His comments came after he was contacted by the families of service-men and women normally stationed at RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Kinloss.

At present first-class postage rates are being charged to send moral
boosting mailings, meaning that a two-kilo package costs nearly £7. Ironically the same size of care package can be sent at a discount rate of £4.30 to any other British base in the world.

The £7 charge compares with a freepost service set up during the last Gulf War.

Speaking after he raised the postage issue in the House of Commons Angus Robertson MP said:

"Care packages sent to servicemen and women in the Gulf are a morale
booster. It is completely wrong that it costs a fortune to send a package, especially when it was free during the last Gulf war.

"I raised the issue in the House of Commons because this is important to many service families in Scotland who are keen to send home comforts to their loved ones.

"With two large bases in Moray at RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Kinloss, I know how important this issue is to many people. That is why service families have been in touch with me to make sure that the government comes under pressure to change things.

"The minister replying to my question signalled that the costs of sending packages are being looked into and I hope that the government reacts quickly.


Verbatim extract from Defence Questions, House of Commons - 31/3/03

Angus Robertson MP (Moray -SNP):

"Undoubtedly, the morale of both our reserve forces and full time forces and their families back home are critical at a time of conflict. I am sure that the Minister is aware of many members of the service community and their disquiet about the high cost of sending care packages to the gulf. Could I ask the Minister what moves he's backing to try and deal with this problem which is important both to the full time forces and to reserve forces?"

Dr Lewis Moonie MP, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence:

"I can assure the Hon. Gentleman that we are looking into this. The service which is being supplied at present is an airmail service. We are extremely short of capacity as you can imagine and I think that given the standard rate that is being charged, which is the internal postage rate, it is a reasonable deal for an airfreight situation. We will however look and see what additional help can be given as things develop".

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MP Comments on Flood Meeting

Thursday, March 27, 2003

Moray SNP Angus Robertson recently attended a meeting of the Elgin Flood Pressure Group in Bishopmill Hall. Mr Robertson outlined to those in attendance the issues that he had been pursuing since last November's disastrous floods.

These issues included the availability of emergency benefits, the additional cost to householders and businesses of disposing of flood damaged furniture and materials as a result of Landfill Tax, VAT and Income Business Tax relief and insurance amongst others.

Commenting after the meeting the SNP's Mr Robertson said:

“ I hope that my comments will help the Flood Pressure Group when they are considering how best to focus their efforts. The work they are doing on behalf of those in flood-hit areas is excellent and will hopefully keep the pressure on those in authority to take urgent action.

" In addition it was clear that there are still many individuals who are not receiving the assistance and service that they are entitled to from government agencies and private insurance companies.

" There are a number of concerns raised by the residents at the meeting that I will be pursuing and I would urge anyone else with ongoing concerns such as insurance and emergency benefits problems to contact my Elgin office on 01343 551111.

" My Moray SNP colleague Margaret Ewing will also be meeting with the Elgin Flood Pressure Group in the near future to outline the efforts she has been making in the Scottish Parliament."

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NORTH MP'S VOTE OVERWHELMINGLY FOR PEACEFUL IRAQ RESOLUTION

Wednesday, March 19, 2003

Moray SNP MP Angus Robertson has welcomed the overwhelming support of local parliamentarians for the peace amendment voted on last night in the House of Commons.

The amendment which was sponsored by Mr Robertson highlighted the lack of a UN Security Council resolution backing action, but supported service-men and women who might soon be sent into conflict.

In the biggest rebellion against the government in over 100 years all MP's from the north of Scotland voted against the government, with the exception of Labour MP's David Stewart of Inverness East and Calum McDonald of the Western Isles.

Speaking at the House of Commons Mr Robertson said:
"At this time all of our thoughts are with our service-personnel and families many of whom are from the north of Scotland as well as the innocent people of Iraq.

"I'm glad that there was such strong support from north of Scotland MP's for the amendment backing the United Nations and a peaceful resolution to the Iraq crisis. It's a shame that Labour MP's David Stewart and Calum McDonald supported the government after having expressed their desire for a second UN resolution.

"Nevertheless, the overwhelming view of parliamentarians from the north was opposed to unilateral military action. Now with the clock counting down to war our thoughts are with our service-men and women and their families at this anxious time.

Mr Robertson has confirmed that he is writing to deployed RAF commanders in the gulf who are normally based in his Moray constituency to repeat the SNP's support of the professionalism and courage of service-men and women who are expected to be sent into conflict.

Speaking from the House of Commons Mr Robertson said:

"The SNP like the majority of people in the country have major concerns about the prospects of unilateral military action but are completely supportive of our deployed service personnel and their families at home.

"Hundreds of front-line servicemen and women in the Gulf are normally based at RAF Kinloss and RAF Lossiemouth in Moray. They are my neighbours, friends and constituents and I wish them all the best in the uncertain weeks ahead as well as a safe and speedy return.

"Our servicemen and women and their families from throughout the country know that the Scottish National Party has been campaigning for their interests, their security and the United Nations route to peaceful disarmament of the Hussein regime which we all despise.

"They understand just like everybody else that there is a world of difference between expressing solidarity with our service community and giving Tony Blair and George W Bush a blank cheque for unilateral military conflict.


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Moray MP welcomes fireworks bill progress

Tuesday, March 4, 2003

Speaking following the successful second reading of the Fireworks Bill in the House of Commons, Moray SNP MP Mr Angus Robertson has welcomed the successful passage of the legislation.

The Private Members Bill calls for tighter regulation on the sale of fireworks and greater restrictions on when fireworks can be used. The proposals would allow private and public displays to go ahead around Guy Fawkes night and on other special occasions like New Year, but would make it difficult for individuals to purchase and use fireworks outside these times.

The proposals also include introducing a minimum sale price for fireworks packs in an effort to discourage individuals from using them unlawfully.

Mr Robertson said:

" I welcome the progress of the this Bill and I hope that it will go some way to improving the lives of individuals and communities that have been adversely effected by the misuse of fireworks. The recent increase in injuries caused by fireworks is only one example of this terrible situation."

" I am sure that many MPs from all over the country could list many horror stories of incidents involving fireworks in their constituencies, from fireworks being thrown through letterboxes to animals such as guide dogs being left terrified for days afterwards."

" Although that misuse of fireworks directly affects only a portion of the population, the cost of the misuse hits everyone. It affects resources for the health service, fire brigades and police departments, let alone the cost of property damage and increases to property insurance."

" This Bill will help to alleviate the misery caused by these acts, and I am delighted to have been able to support it along with my SNP colleagues."

Ends.

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Government under Pressure on RAF Pensions

Tuesday, March 4, 2003

Concerns about the future of pensions for RAF personnel have been raised in the House of Commons by Moray SNP MP Angus Robertson. He sought assurances from Ministers that pilots, aircrew and other servicemen and women will not be forced to wait for pensions they had been expecting to get on retirement.

Service personnel at RAF Lossiemouth had quizzed the Commander in Chief of RAF Strike Command Sir John Day last week on the subject, during a visit to the Moray base.

In response to questioning by Mr Robertson Defence Minister Lewis Moonie said he could not confirm that all existing service personnel would escape any changes until the Government publishes its conclusions on pension reform plans. He went on to say that: "those who complete their service according to the rules will suffer no deferment of their pension."

However there is a concern that retirement plans will be disrupted if service personnel are forced to wait until 65 to receive pensions which they are currently entitled to receive at the end of their service careers.

Speaking after the question session in the House of Commons Mr Robertson said:

" This is a really big issue for service people and I intend to press the Government for clarification. It is not a time for service personnel to be concerned about their futures".

" My job as the local MP is to try and get the answers to the key questions for constituents from the government. Pension changes are a major issue for many servicemen and women in Moray as well as family members.

" With many people on deployment the last thing that is needed is uncertainty. That is why the questions were put to the Commander in Chief when he was recently in Moray. It is up to the government to respond quickly, publish their plans and put people's minds to rest.

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Moray MP Lobbies Treasury on Whisky Duty

Tuesday, March 4, 2003

Moray MP Angus Robertson has lobbied the Treasury ahead of the budget to press for an end to duty discrimination on Scotch whisky.

Together with other senior members of the All-Party Parliamentary Scotch Whisky industry group he made the case for a cut in duty to Economic Secretary to the Treasury John Healey MP.

At present the duty on whisky is considerably higher than both beer and wine meaning that on average 73% of the cost of a bottle is tax.

With more than half of all of Scotland's malt whisky distilleries being in Moray, the area's MP strongly pressed the government to lower duty in the forthcoming budget and help secure and boost employment in the area.

Speaking after the meeting with the Economic Secretary to the Treasury Mr Robertson said:

" Unbelievably the UK government continues to discriminate against one of Scotland's premium industries. Both Labour and previous Tory administrations have milked the industry, putting it at a disadvantage against competitors.

" Although Gordon Brown has frozen duty over recent years the discrimination continues. This is intolerable for such an important employer, which is crucial for the economy of Scotland, especially in whisky producing regions like Speyside in Moray.

" The Chancellor has an opportunity in the forthcoming budget to end the discrimination and treat the industry fairly. I hope he will take it.

" Like the Scotch Whisky Association, the Scottish National Party is in favour of a 4% cut in whisky duty. Experts believe that such a measure would be revenue neutral, creating a higher demand for whisky thereby maintaining duty and taxation and duty income for the treasury."

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