October 2001

Moray MP Hails RAF Parent Power Victory

Tuesday, October 30, 2001

Press Release from Angus Robertson MP
 
Kinloss RAF makes Base Childcare Climb-down

Moray Westminster SNP MP Mr Angus Robertson has welcomed an about turn by
RAF Kinloss concerning childcare plans following a heated parents meeting. Base managers have issued confirmation that existing childcare providers will be given "first call" on the contract to be housed in a new facility funded by the RAF Benevolent Fund.

RAF managers had initially planned to put the contract out to tender, effectively forcing the much respected and valued existing providers to re-apply for their own jobs.
 
Speaking after the announcement Mr Robertson said:

"This is a victory for the RAF families who were extremely concerned about the plans for the new childcare facility and putting existing services out to tender. The assurance by the base came only after parents held a meeting on Monday to which I was invited by RAF parents who are my constituents.

"I am glad that senior officers have now listened to the parents whose concerns I share, but it is a matter of regret that is has taken months to inform parents directly about the plans. The unhappiness of parents with the whole project management was completely avoidable and caused unnecessary anxiety to both RAF families and childcare providers.

"It is regrettable that Base officials did not see fit to inform me or local Councillor Jeff Hamilton of any changing new developments regarding this important issue for our constituents. However I am glad that the RAF parents invited me to the meeting on Monday in the childcare center outside the bases secure perimeter, which is also used by non-service personnel.

"I will be seeking discussions with government ministers about unacceptable efforts to restrict my access to my RAF constituents who live or meet outside the secure areas of the base, which understandably have strict security regulations.”

Contact:
Graham Leadbitter, Parliamentary Assistant– Tel: 01343 551111


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Importance of Airlinks

Tuesday, October 23, 2001

After the Summer Recess the House of Commons is well and truly back in session. As the Scottish National Party’s foreign affairs spokesman life has been extremely busy with the situation in Afghanistan. A few days ago I met with representatives of Scotland’s main aid agencies. They are working extremely hard both here and in Afghanistan and Pakistan to help the refugees there, and deserve our full support. My colleagues and I in the SNP are working hard to ensure that the humanitarian efforts are maximised to help the estimated 7.5 million Afghans who are internally displaced refugees or have fled to neighbouring countries like Pakistan.

Another part of the international agenda, but one which has received much less attention, was the debate and vote in the House of Commons on the Treaty of Nice. This is the agreement that will allow the countries of central and eastern Europe to finally rejoin the rest of our continent after half a century of cold war division. I welcomed the prospect of our friends from elsewhere in Europe joining us in the European Union, but pointed out the irony that they will probably have their seats at the top table before we will in Scotland. Soon the landlocked countries of Hungary and the Czech Republic will have more direct say over Scottish fishing than we will. But before running and blaming anybody else, we need to realise that the choice is ours to make whether we have the same rights as other normal countries.

Closer to home, I have been pursuing the issue of air links from Inverness. I’ve tabled an Early Day Motion at Westminster to have the Inverness-Gatwick route protected and to restore links with Heathrow. This is essential for the economic and social well being for the Highlands and north of Scotland. As one of Moray’s most prominent hoteliers explained to me this week, tourism is currently facing a worse downturn than it did during the foot and mouth crisis. If that is not a dire warning, I don’t know what is. Having proper air links is essential to get the tourists in, which is another reason for tabling the motion.

In the constituency I had the great pleasure of attending the recent open day at the showcase organic farm at Wester Laurenceton run by Pam and Nick Rodway. They have invested a lot of time, effort and inspiration in farming to the highest standards, rearing goats and producing top quality cheese. Recently they hit the news when Prince Charles visited the farm. Over 200 people attended the open day and were able to see the operation and sample the cheese and other products.

There appears to be an excellent opportunity for Moray to capture the reputation of Scotland’s best organic farming region. We already have excellent standing for whisky and food production. Our local retailers and supermarkets can help local producers by selling their goods and I am sure that consumers will queue up for the excellent products. I know that I will.

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ROBERTSON BACKS BOOST TO LOCAL BUSINESS

Monday, October 22, 2001

Press Release from Angus Robertson MP
 
MORAY MP HIGHLIGHTS RED TAPE
Moray Scottish National Party Westminster MP Angus Robertson launches call for businesses in the area to make suggestions aimed at reducing red tape. His appeal comes after the publication of a damning survey, which branded Britain the most difficult European state to do business with – because of an excess of bureaucracy and red tape.

The report by the European Commission is based on a poll of 4,000 businesses across the continent. It contradicts recent claims by Tony Blair that the UK was “one of the least regulated markets” in the industrialised world.

The Confederation of British Industry in Scotland and the Institute of Directors said the survey proved that business was being ‘strangled by red tape’.
Speaking after the publication of the survey Mr Robertson said,
 “These finding show the intolerable pressures businesses in Moray, Scotland and elsewhere in Scotland are having to face. According to the survey, UK regulations mean that companies run into more problems trading with the UK than with any of the other 15 EU member states.

“That is why I am asking individual businesses in Moray and the new Chamber of Commerce to contact me with concrete suggestions of what needs to be changed. Local firms have to contend with unacceptable levels of bureaucracy and red tape and I would like to pass on those concerns to government ministers.
”The survey shows that Britain was bottom in a league of the easiest and most difficult markets to penetrate. The first six countries are all small and medium sized independent countries including Finland and Ireland. These countries should be models for Scotland, so that we too can have less regulation and better decision’s being made close to home.


Contact:
Graham Leadbitter, Parliamentary Assistant– Tel: 01343 551111

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ROBERTSON BACKS RAF PARENTS

Friday, October 19, 2001

Press Release from Angus Robertson MP
 
Moray MP Supports Kinloss Childcare Warnings

Concerned RAF parents have received the support of their local Member of of the Westminster Parliament following a packed and emotional meeting in Kinloss. The SNP MP for Moray Mr Angus Robertson MP, attended the event at the invitation of RAF parents who are worried about the plans to change childcare facilities. More than 60 parents attended the meeting and many warned that there could be a serious deterioration in the current excellent childcare provision.
 
Speaking after the meeting Mr Robertson said:
 
“I am extremely concerned about the lack of communication with the affected parents and childcare providers, who have raised some serious questions about the way this project is being managed. 
“That is why I have written to the station commander backing calls for a meeting involving himself, the officer in charge of the project and parents as well as existing childcare providers.. 
“There is an overwhelming level of support for the current childcare providers, who were originally told that they would be the ones offering the service in the new building. 
“Now there is a move to put this out to competitive tender, in effect asking people to re-apply for their own jobs. 
“This is not a requirement of the RAF Benevolent Fund and is in my view completely unnecessary. 
“Childcare is absolutely essential to the effective functioning of RAF Kinloss and retention of service personnel with children. It is imperative that a solution is found which has the support of RAF parents and I will do everything that I can to help.    
Background: The RAF Benevolent Fund has pledged £800,000 to fund a new purpose build childcare facility at or next to RAF
Kinloss. In a similar recent project at RAF Benson, previous childcare providers were able to continue their services within the new facility. A decision appears to have been made at RAF Kinloss not to follow this successful model and there are plans to put the childcare provision out to commercial tender.
 
 
Contact:
Graham Leadbitter, Parliamentary Assistant– Tel: 01343 551111

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SNP call for rethink on gaming proposals

Tuesday, October 16, 2001

Press Release from Angus Robertson MP

“Current proposals are unacceptable and would bedisastrous for many charitable clubs in Moray” - Robertson
 The Scottish National Party has tabled a Parliamentary Motion calling for a rethink on gambling proposals relating to Jackpot Gaming Machines in member only clubs. The motion, which expressed concern about the severe adverse effect that the proposals may have on the income of many non-profit clubs, has been supported by the SNP Member of Parliament for Moray, Angus Robertson.
 
Commenting Mr Robertson stated:

 “ These proposals by the Gambling Review Body are ill informed and show a complete disregard for the needs of many charitable clubs. These clubs, which include sports clubs, Legion clubs and other ex-servicemen’s clubs, rely heavily on Jackpot Machines for their income and many could be forced to close if this proposal is not amended.
 “ The flawed reasoning behind the proposals is that the large prizes offered by the machines encourage illegal gambling by under-18s but this is clearly nonsense since a large number of the clubs in question have age-restrictions that make this argument spurious. Even where the clubs in question allow access to under-18s they operate strict rules making it difficult for the machines to be used illegally.
 “ There are further serious concerns that the prospect of a large cut in income for the clubs in question could jeapordise local jobs and curtail the important community work that they carry out. The government must rethink these proposals and give greater consideration to the knock-on effects that would occur.”
The Early Day Motion was tabled by SNP MP for North Tayside, Pete Wishart.

The text of the motion is as follows:

That this House is concerned about the proposed alterations to the gaming laws which will restrict the cash jackpot payout to the gaming machines in members' and proprietary clubs; is further concerned about the effect that this will have on the incomes of these clubs; notes many clubs depend on the revenues generated by the jackpot machines; further notes that many of such clubs are non-profit making and the income from machines allows them to charge competitive prices and pay staff wages; further notes that the arguments over under 18s playing these machines are erroneous, as the rules are strictly adhered to and often membership of such clubs is restricted to over 18s; and further notes that any alteration to the legislation will have the knock on effects of loss of staff and services for the clubs and facilities for the community.  

Contact:
Graham Leadbitter, Parliamentary Assistant– Tel: 01343 551111

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Robertson tables Commons Motion on Inverness-Gatwick air services

Monday, October 15, 2001

Press Release from Angus Robertson MP 

“Campaign continues to seek support” - Robertson
Moray Scottish National Party MP, Angus Robertson, has, at the start of the new Parliamentary Term, tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons on the issue of Inverness-Gatwick air services. The motion calls on the Parliament to recognise the importance of the services to the economy of both the Highlands & Islands and the North East of Scotland and that government should protect the route with a Public Service Order.
 
The SNP Member of Parliament commented:

 “ It has often been stated how important the Inverness-London air routes are to Scotland’s economy. My SNP colleague Kenny MacAskill MSP, the Shadow Scottish Enterprise Minister, reiterated this importance when he visited Inverness Airport with a representative of Ryanair earlier this week and I have no hesitation in raising the issue again.
 “ The Early Day Motion basically calls on the government to protect the current air links with a Public Service Obligation Order and also to restore the Heathrow link as well. I sincerely hope that the motion I have tabled in the House of Commons will be supported by all the parties since it’s aims are to the benefit of all in the area. I have also tabled a Parliamentary Question asking the Transport Minister what consideration he has given to the matter.
 “ I have been contacted by a number of prominent local companies in recent weeks whose businesses are heavily reliant on the availability of London air links and I am sure this campaign will continue until a successful result is reached.”
Early Day Motion submitted by Angus Robertson, Member of Parliament for Moray Constituency.

Inverness-London Air Services

That the parliament recognises the huge significance of direct links between Inverness Airport and London Hub Airports to the economic and social well being of the Highlands & Islands, particularly in tourism, exports, the business economy and employment; expresses its grave concern at the possible threat to the loss of landing slots Gatwick; seeks not only to preserve such links but also to restore similar slots at Heathrow; and calls on the government to protect the Inverness-London routes with a Public Service Obligation Order.

Parliamentary Question to John Spellar, Minister for Transport

To ask the Minister for Transport what consideration he has given to the granting of Public Service Obligation Orders for the Inverness-London air routes, particularly Inverness-Gatwick, and whether he will make a statement.  

Contact:
Graham Leadbitter, Parliamentary Assistant– Tel: 01343 551111

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