April 2003
SNP Slams Government Snub on Service Pensions
Monday, April 28, 2003
Government Ministers have snubbed concerns about Service pensions just as thousands of personnel return from the Gulf. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw refused to answer concerns about government plans for the pensions during proceedings in the House of Commons.
The concerns about the future of pensions for service personnel were raised in Westminster by Moray Scottish National Party (SNP) MP Angus Robertson. He sought assurances from Foreign Secretary Straw that he was doing something to maintain moral of troops by dealing with this ‘important question’.
Service personnel including thousands who serve at RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Kinloss in Mr Robertson’s Moray constituency are concerned that will be forced to wait for pensions they had been expecting to get on retirement.
Speaking after the statement and questions on the Middle East Mr Robertson said:
“The Labour government is snubbing service men and women who have concerns about government pension plans. It is very disappointing that the Foreign Secretary refused to answer the question and reassure people in the forces and their families.
“Service personnel throughout the UK are concerned that service personnel will be forced to wait until 65 to receive pensions which they are currently entitled to receive at the end of their service careers.
"This is a really big issue for service people, not least those who have just returned from the conflict in Iraq. I am sorry that the Foreign Secretary didn’t even answer the question or give any reassurances. Now is not a time for service personnel to be concerned about their futures".
"With many people on deployment the last thing that is needed is uncertainty. It is up to the government to respond quickly, publish their plans and put people's minds to rest.
Ends.
Verbatim account of House of Commons proceedings following statement on Middle East by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw MP.
Angus Robertson (Moray - SNP):
Can I welcome the Government’s restated position in favour of independence for Palestine, and also for secure borders for Israel. But can I ask the Foreign Secretary whether on his tour of the Middle East he spoke with servicemen and servicewomen on deployment there about their widespread concerns on service pensions. And what's he doing to maintain morale of our troops in the Middle East and those just returned on this important question?
Jack Straw:
I saw a number of British servicemen and women and greatly admired their complete commitment to the cause to which they have been fighting and for which some of them had given their lives. Issues of pensions of British servicemen and women are properly a matter for my Right Honourable Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.
e-mail Parliamentary Office
MP Welcomes Broadband Linkup
Friday, April 11, 2003
Moray MP Mr Angus Robertson has today [Friday] welcomed the news that Forres is to have its BT exchange upgraded with Broadband technology. The upgrade will allow Forres residents to have broadband installed from 6th June.
The welcome news comes after a vigorous local campaign to encourage people to register their interest in the new high-speed Internet access technology. Broadband has been high on the agenda for the SNP in recent months, with the party supporting rural upgrades to support enterprise and learning in areas such as Forres.
Commenting the SNP's Mr Robertson said:
“ This is excellent news for businesses and residential users of the Internet alike. Because of the huge increase in speed that information can be transferred, the new Broadband technology has been described by some as being like switching from black & white to colour TV.
" The technology allows computer users to access the Internet at ten times the speed of a normal phone connection. This can allow businesses to expand their web-based activities, transfer data much more quickly and make activities like video-conferencing much easier.
" For residential users it offers high quality live video over the Internet and fast downloading of music and software from online stores."
e-mail Parliamentary Office
SNP WELCOMES COMMENCEMENT OF FREE FORCES POSTAGE
Thursday, April 10, 2003
"Scheme started after cross-party motion tabled by SNP"
The Scottish National Party (SNP) has welcomed government's confirmation that a free postal service for packages up to 2kg to Armed Forces personnel will start next Thursday 17th April 2003. Friends and families will be able to send letters and packets of up to 2kg in weight free of charge to British Forces Post Office (BFPO) addresses in the Gulf.
The scheme was announced over a week ago by Prime Minister Tony Blair and came less than 24 hours after SNP Westminster Defence spokesman Angus Robertson MP tabled a cross-party motion calling for the change.
The U-turn also came only days after Mr Robertson raised the issue of
expensive postage charges during questions to Defence ministers in the House of Commons.
Speaking after the MOD confirmed the start date for the scheme Mr Robertson said:
"I'm glad that the Ministry of Defence has finally announced the
commencement of free package delivery. I know that it has been disappointing for many service families that it has taken the Labour government so long to get the scheme up and running.
"It was right for Tony Blair to change government policy on care packages sent to servicemen and women in the Gulf because they are an important morale booster. It has been completely wrong to charge service families a small fortune to send a package, especially when it was free during the last Gulf war.
"The SNP raised the issue in the House of Commons because it is important to many service families in Scotland who are keen to send home comforts to their loved ones. I was delighted to get all-party support for this SNP led motion, and I am certain that this played a part in changing the government's mind.
"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.
Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram MP released a written statement to the House of Commons today (Thursday) in which said the free service would be a welcome addition to the air mail "Blueys" and their e-mail equivalent, "e-Blueys" which were already sent free of charge.
In his statement Mr Ingram said:
"From 17th April, families will be able to post letters and packets of up to 2 kilograms in weight free of charge to British Forces Post Office (BFPO) addresses in the Gulf. Priority will be given to the delivery of letters, 'Blueys' and 'e-blueys', which are the primary means of communication for families. Packets will be delivered to the troops as soon as is practicable depending on the operational situation".
"This service is designed for close families and friends. Packets can only be accepted addressed to named individual Service personnel. We would urge families to limit the number of packets so that the system works for everybody and does not become overloaded.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
The House of Commons motion tabled by Moray MP Angus Robertson reads:
"That this house notes that there is widespread dismay about the cost of sending care packages to service personnel deployed in the Gulf; recognises that the delivery of home comforts to troops in the field is important to morale; recalls that a free postal service existed during the last gulf war and calls on the Ministry of Defence to introduce a similar scheme as soon as is practically possible".
The cross-party sponsors were: Angus Robertson (MP for Moray - SNP
Westminster Defence Spokesman), Simon Thomas (Plaid Cymru MP for Ceredigion), Andrew Mackay (Conservative MP for Bracknell), Paul Keetch (Liberal Democrat MP for Hereford. Lib Dem Defence Spokesman) and Stephen Pound (Labour MP for Ealing North)
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.
e-mail Parliamentary Office
Moray MP slams Budget discrimination on Whisky
Wednesday, April 9, 2003
Moray SNP MP Angus Robertson has criticised Chancellor Gordon Brown for continuing discrimination against Scotch whisky in the Budget.
More than half of all of Scotland's malt whisky distilleries are in the constituency of the SNP parliamentarian. Mr Robertson says that were two measures the Chancellor would be judged on:
* Whether he announced a cut on whisky duty
* Whether he changed Corporation Tax and returned to 'tax upon sale'.
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. Additionally Corporation Tax rules introduced in 2002 by Mr Brown are set to cost the industry £25-30m over the next 5-10 years.
Last month Mr Robertson joined other senior members of the All-Party
Parliamentary Scotch Whisky industry group in making the case for a cut in duty and a u-turn on the negative Corporation Tax rules to Economic Secretary to the Treasury John Healey MP.
Speaking after the budget Mr Robertson, who is Vice-Chairman of the All Party group said:
"Unbelievably Gordon Brown has continued 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 again and 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 had an opportunity in the budget to end the discrimination and treat the industry fairly. While maintaining a duty freeze is welcome it is disappointing to say the least that duty was not cut.
"Like the Scotch Whisky Association, the Scottish National Party was 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.
"The Chancellor also failed to take the opportunity to announce a u-turn on Corporation Tax rules introduced in 2002 which are penalizing the industry. Gordon Brown introduced new rules requiring tax to be paid upon distillation, not sale which is costing producers millions of pounds. The change was contrary to UK accounting practices and should have been reversed in the budget.
"Both a duty cut and changes in Corporation Tax were key issues for the SNP, members of the All Party Whisky Industry group and the Scotch Whisky Association. I am disappointed that the government made limited concessions but didn't deliver on either of the key priorities for this premier Scottish industry which employs tens of thousands of people in Scotland.
e-mail Parliamentary Office
House of Commons confirms that Angus Robertson is hardest working MP
Wednesday, April 2, 2003
The House of Commons has just published a report which shows that Moray MP Angus Robertson is the hardest working Scottish parliamentarian at Westminster.
In a report entitled "Parliamentary Questions, Debate Contributions and Participation in Commons Divisions", the House of Commons Library shows that the Scottish National Party is officially the hardest working group of MPs in the House of Commons. It also shows that Moray MP Angus Robertson is top of the Scottish league table.
It showed that Mr Robertson made 50 contributions in debates compared to the average of 18 for Labour backbenchers. He also questioned ministers a total of 611 times which was nearly ten times as many as the average for a backbench Labour MP.
Speaking from Westminster, Mr Robertson said:
"Since the general election I have tried to work as hard as possible for the people of Moray. That is what members of parliament are supposed to do and it is what I intend to continue doing in the future. When I stood for election I made it clear that I was committed to working hard for everybody in Moray and that is all I am doing.
"In recent weeks and months I have been highlighting key issues for Moray including the conflict in Iraq, the fishing crisis, last years floods and releasing the country's potential through independence.
"As an SNP MP I have a responsibility to stand for Scotland and try and get the best deal for Moray and the rest of the country. That is what I am doing and will continue to do in the future.
The record of Mr Robertson has been praised by Westminster SNP Group leader Alex Salmond MP:
"We are delighted that official statistics are now available to show how hard MPs are working in Westminster.
"It is no surprise to me that Angus is at the top of the list, because he is extremely committed to Moray' priorities and he takes any opportunity he can to argue that case.
"It also comes as no surprise that the SNP are the hardest working party in Parliament, and that Labour languish at the bottom of the table of Scottish parties for parliamentary work."
"With the Government's abysmal record on the economy and public services growing worse by the day, it's more important than ever that the SNP hold Labour to account by asking parliamentary questions and speaking in debates. It's now clear for all to see that in addition to failing to deliver as a Government, backbench Labour MPs are failing to show up for work."
e-mail Parliamentary Office