Moray MP goes ‘Back to school’ Moray MP Angus Robertson has visited Mr Robertson is also due to visit The Global Campaign for Education includes the Scottish Education Trade Unions and charities including Oxfam in The pupils from the schools were also given the opportunity to question Angus about his job as an MP. Speaking after his visit, Mr Robertson said: “ I was delighted to be given the opportunity to discuss my job as an MP with the pupils at New Elgin and “ Basic education is a human right. It is scandalous that in the 21st century so many children have never had the chance to go to school. World leaders have promised to tackle this problem but until they pledge the necessary funds, too many children will continue to miss out.” “ I am looking forward to my visits to Portessie and Aberlour where I am sure I will get a very high standard of questioning. I have always found the pupils in Moray to be knowledgeable and interested in politics and the democratic processes in the Notes for editors: To find out more about the Global Campaign for Education visit Ends. Contact: Graham Leadbitter, Parliamentary Assistant – Tel: 01343 55111 WELCOME FOR WHISKY EXPORT BOOST Moray MP Angus Robertson has welcomed the excellent export news released by the whisky industry. According to the Scotch Whisky Association the export value of Scotch in 2003 was £2.37bn which is the second highest ever, malts bottled in Scotland exceeded £300m for first time, blends bottled in Scotland were up 3.5% and that new markets are offering exciting future prospects However, figures for the UK show a decline, just at a time when government plans to introduce strip stamps are set to undermine the competitiveness of the industry. According to the SWA figures Scotch sales were slightly down in volume in the UK during 2003 to 113.7m bottles (-1 per cent). Bottled malts were up, however, 3 per cent to nearly 11m bottles. SNP MP Angus Robertson represents more than half of Scotland's malt whisky distilleries. Speaking after the release of the sales figures the Vice Chairman of the All Party Scotch Whisky Industry Group said: "These tremendous export figures for Scotch whisky are a triumph for the industry and all who work to produce the water of life. "Hopefully whisky sales will continue to grow throughout the world and at home and go from strength to strength. "However, the depressed domestic market figures should act as a salutary warning to the government which is planning to introduce costly tax strip stamps. It is a completely wrong for the Treasury to make the industry less competitive and it should withdraw its damaging plans forthwith. ENDS The full SWA Press release is available at: http://pull.xmr3.com/cgi-bin/pull/DocPull/102-0C7D/14543685/ExportFigures04.doc Robertson Backs Armed Service Appeal Moray MP Angus Robertson has backed a special appeal to provide assistance to vulnerable veterans suffering mental illness in Scotland. The SNP Defence spokesman called for local support from Moray after attending a campaign launch in Edinburgh Castle attended by Defence Minister Adam Ingram MP, frontline BBC reporter Kate Adie and Moray's Deputy Lord Lieutenant Grenville Johnston amongst others. The appeal is for Hollybush House in Ayrshire which is run by the charity Combat Stress. It is the only treatment in Scotland for ex-servicemen and women who have been profoundly traumatised by harrowing experiences on active duty - from the Second World War to the recent conflict in Iraq. Organisers need to raise almost £1 million to pay for renovation work on Hollybush House, if the centre is to survive. Speaking about the appeal Angus Robertson MP said: "Moray has a particularly strong relationship with the military, so there is a real local understanding that some veterans need specialised assistance. "Thousands of Moray folk have served in local Army regiments, with the Air Force at Lossiemouth, Kinloss or further afield as well a strong maritime tradition with both the Royal and Merchant Navy. "Sadly some service men and women find their experiences difficult to cope with and the National Health Service is not always able to provide the appropriate treatment. "That is why Scotland's centre providing key specialized mental health care and support Hollybush House is so important and I hope readers will help support the appeal and secure the necessary funding to allow this great service to continue its important work. Speaking at the appeal launch in Edinburgh Castle BBC reporter Kate Adie said: "I have been involved with the military for a couple of decades. Very often these are young men on the front line. The centre deals with hundreds of veterans each year from the Second World War, the Falklands and the most recent conflict in Iraq. Last year, more than 800 clients were admitted for short-term care and demand for treatment is on the increase. "With the ongoing crisis in Iraq and an upsurge in older veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the number of veterans admitted to Hollybush House could reach 1,000 in the next few years About the Appeal What the Appeal will fund · The construction of a new residential block, comprising o 12 single rooms · The conversion of existing bedrooms within the main building into facilities to accommodate clients and carers o Funding an Assistant Activities Co-ordinator post for three years How readers can support the appeal · You can make a donation by visiting the donations On Line page on the Fundraising Page of www.combatstress.org.uk · Or you can telephone 01372 841619 · If you would like to make a regular donation to Hollybush House Appeal, telephone 01372 841619 and ask for a Direct Debit form. ENDS Contact: Graham Leadbitter, Parliamentary Assistant - Tel: 01343 551111 BLAIR MISTAKE ON EU CONSTITUTION AND FISHERIES "CAVALIER ATTITUDE SHOWS FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND VITAL SCOTTISH ISSUE" During the Prime Minister's statement today [Tuesday] announcing the Government's welcome U-turn in favour of a referendum on a European Constitution, Tony Blair showed that he doesn't understand that fisheries has been made an "exclusive competence" of the European Union under Article 12.1 of the draft document, which clearly specifies that: "the conservation of marine biological resources under the Common Fisheries Policy" is an exclusive EU competence. This was in response to a question from the Scottish National Party's Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Mr Angus Robertson MP. The full exchange (at 1.28 pm) was as follows: Angus Robertson: "As a European nation, Scotland and the Scots have always sought to play a significant role in our continent, but not at any cost. It's right and proper that voters north of the Border will be able to cast their ballots on whether the Constitution is in Scotland and Europe's interests. But does the Prime Minister understand that it will be impossible to win a referendum in Scotland unless unacceptable provisions on key industries like fishing and energy are radically amended?" Prime Minister: "In respect of fishing, fishing is still a shared competence and we happen to believe that is right. In respect of energy, there are concerns that have been put to us and there was already, I think I'm right in saying, a principled agreement to energy being changed in order to make that clear. And as far as I'm aware, the changes have the agreement of the whole industry." Speaking after the statement, Mr Robertson said: "Tony Blair's cavalier attitude showed a complete failure to understand this most important of Scottish issues. "Fisheries, specifically the Common Fisheries Policy, is clearly defined as an exclusive EU competence in the draft Constitution. The need to get that struck from the document has been a major issue in Scotland for months - yet the Prime Minister's mistake showed that he is not even aware of the problem. "Fisheries should be a 'red line issue' for the Government, because of its importance to Scotland. And yet we now know that it isn't even in the Prime Minister's mind - let alone a key item for the UK in European negotiations. "For the Constitution to win the votes of people in Scotland, it must reflect and promote Scotland's interests - which means that Tony Blair had better get up to speed with the problems, and work to secure the necessary changes." MORAY MP HIGHLIGHTS SCOTTISH INTEREST TO EU ROBERTSON MEETS IRISH PRESIDENCY IN STRASBOURG Moray MP Angus Robertson and Shadow First Minister Mr John Swinney MSP, and a delegation of senior SNP parliamentarians, today (Tuesday) met the Irish Presidency of the EU, to make the case for protecting the fishing industry as part of discussions on finalising the pending European Constitution. The delegation met with Irish Minister of State for Europe Mr Dick Roche TD at the European Parliament along with SNP European colleagues, Ian Hudghton MEP and Professor Neil MacCormick MEP. Mr Roche is currently leading the process seeking agreement on the draft European Union Constitution on behalf of the Irish Government, which currently holds the European Union Presidency. SNP Foreign Affairs spokesman Angus Robertson MP said after meeting: "Moray's coastal communities as well as those around the country depend on an improvement in the way the fishing industry is treated. That is why I joined SNP colleagues in travelling to Strasbourg to put the case for a change in policy directly to the European Union. We held a very constructive meeting with the Irish Minister who said he understands how serious the situation is in Scotland and he promised to try and factor as many of our concerns as possible into ongoing negotiations. "The talks currently underway are about the draft European Constitution which the SNP believes needs to be improved so that it does not have a negative impact on the fishing industry. It is a great shame that we have had to lobby the Irish government in the first place, but it is well understood that the UK government does not argue Scotland's corner in fisheries negotiations. "This will only change if Scotland secures the same direct rights as the ten new EU member states who have guaranteed representation at the top table. If Slovakia can be part of the discussions without one centimeter of coastline I don't see why Scotland can't. Speaking after meeting Mr Roche, John Swinney said: "The SNP has taken the case for protecting the Scottish fishing industry as a key national interest direct to the Presidency of the EU. We have repeated our concerns about the treatment of the fishing industry, and the need to secure the removal of exclusive competence over fisheries from the draft EU Constitution. "Ireland's government is working hard to finalise the draft European constitution in the weeks ahead. Minister Roche, who is leading the discussions for the Irish Presidency and who met with us today, accepted the seriousness of the arguments we are putting forward. He recognised the need to ensure the Constitution could be widely supported and acknowledged the depth of concern over fisheries that exists in Scotland. He said that he hoped to factor in as many of the points we raised today as possible in the final negotiations on the Constitution. "The key now is for the UK government to respond to the current debate on fisheries and to act in Scotland's interests during ongoing negotiations. "I have made clear the SNP will only support the European Constitution in a Referendum if the proposed exclusive competence on fisheries is removed. Significant Labour figures have said they understand a solution needs to be found on the fishing issue to maximise support for the Constitution in a Referendum. It is now essential that the UK Government puts this issue to the top of its list of priorities and acts - even at this late stage - to protect the national interest of Scotland." Speaking after the Strasbourg meeting SNP European Group leader Ian Hudghton MEP said: "This was an excellent meeting and it is clear that the Irish government is keen to do everything to secure a referendum-proof European Constitution. Ireland is demonstrating how effective a small country can be in key EU developments by its leadership on reforming the Union. It is a real step forward to have a government that understands Scotland's problems and is doing everything in its power to address those issues, while respecting the proper impartiality of the EU Presidency." ENDS Moray MP promotes Scotland at US Tartan Day Robertson: “Boosting links to USA is good for Scottish economy ” Moray MP Angus Robertson is travelling to the United States to help promote Scotland at events as parts of Tartan Day. The celebrations are annual events marking Scots’ contribution to the development of the USA. They take place around April 6th every year which is the anniversary of the day that Scotland's Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320 which went on to influence the American declaration of independence. Mr Robertson is co-hosting the main Tartan Day reception in Washington DC, where he will join Sir Sean Connery in promoting Scottish tourism and exports. About 100 guests are expected at the event in Congressional buildings including senior politicians, media figures and diplomats. Central to the evening reception is a promotion of Scotch whisky which is a key industry in Moray and elsewhere in Scotland. Guests will have the opportunity to sample different whisky types as well as taste a variety of products provided by Aberlour-based biscuit company Walkers who are sponsoring the event together with drinks firm Diageo. Moray’s MP is travelling with SNP leader John Swinney MSP and Tayside North MP Pete Wishart who are all in the SNP delegation to events in Washington DC and New York City. Further SNP colleagues are travelling to the US Midwest and Canada to help promote Scotland at celebrations in other parts of North America. Speaking ahead of the Tartan Day events Angus Robertson MP said: “Tartan Day is a tremendous annual focus in the United States to promote Scotland. With the whisky industry currently under attack from the UK government I pleased to be able to help promote this key employer in a really important export market. Ironically the USA has just got rid of the daft tax strip stamps that London is proposing to introduce here. “I am delighted to have the chance to co-host a key event at Congress in Washington DC which will be attended by Sir Sean Conner who is a great ambassador for the country. We will be highlighting the great products that Scotland has to offer and extending a welcome to everyone to enjoy a visit to places in the 'old country' like Moray. “Scotland will profit from the whole Tartan Day programme which has emerged in recent years as a great platform to celebrate the country in the USA. ENDS Background note: Amongst a large number of events Angus Robertson will attend: ● Tartan Day parade: New York, Saturday 3rd April 2004 Angus Robertson MP was asked to co-sponsor the Washington DC Tartan Day Reception on Tuesday 6th April 2004 as a longstanding supporter of Tartan Day and Vice-Chairman of the All Party Scotch Whisky Industry Group in the House of Commons. The event is being organized by the National Tartan Day Committee and Friends of Scotland. It is being attended by Sir Sean Connery. The Origins of National Tartan Day On December 19th 1991, in response to action initiated by the Clans & Scottish Societies of Canada, the Ontario Legislature passed a resolution proclaiming April 6th as Tartan Day, following the example of other Canadian provinces. America followed suit on March 20th 1998, when Senate Resolution 155 (S.Res. 155), proposed by US Senate Republican majority leader Trent Lott, was passed unanimously. The resolution, with its preamble, is as follows: Contact: Graham Leadbitter, Parliamentary Assistant - Tel: 01343 551111 SNP welcome news of post office reopening “Good news for Moray folk” - Robertson Moray SNP MP Commenting Mr Robertson said: “ The issues surrounding the future of “ Along with many other people in Elgin I have been pressing the Post Office hard to resolve this matter and the lack of information in the past has been very worrying, however I hope that now this is resolved that they will improve their procedures and communications for the future. “ Local bodies including the Community Council, Moray Trades Council and the The Moray Council itself had great difficulty just trying to find out from the Post Office what was happening and I trust the Post Office will be taking these points on board.” “ In the meantime I look forward to seeing the new Post Office open and wish the hard-working staff every success in their new home!” Ends. |