SNP WRITES TO MOD ABOUT NIMROD SAFETY
Posted on Tuesday, October 17 2006
LOCAL MP HIGHLIGHTS CONCERNSThe Scottish National Party (SNP) has written to Defence Secretary Des Browne highlighting Nimrod safety concerns. SNP Defence spokesman Angus Robertson, and MP for the Nimrod's home-base at RAF Kinloss, insists the MOD must listen to warnings in the wake of the Nimrod crash inAfghanistan.Fourteen servicemen died when the aircraft came down outside Kandahar inSeptember after what is believed to have been a technical fault.Safety concerns have been raised by the Shona Beattie, the widow ofcrash victim Flt Sgt Stephen Beattie. She said that defence cutbacks putlives at risk. Questions have also been raised by former RAF Nimrod trial officer Flt Lt Jimmy Jones who has questioned the suitability of the aircraft for use in Afghanistan. He said the Nimrod's life had been extended becauseof the delayed Nimrod mark four.Angus Robertson said the MOD should answer the concerns over theaircraft to reassure families. He has written to Secretary Of State Des Browne asking that the views of Shona Beattie, and the other family members of crash victims be taken into account.Mr Robertson said:"The Nimrod is a very old aircraft being sent to do a very difficult job in very extreme circumstances and we have lost a lot of lives."We need to get to the bottom of all these questions as soon as possibleto put people's minds at rest because we continue to send RAF crews outin this aircraft to Afghanistan."I have asked Defence Secretary Des Browne to make sure that all theemerging safety issues are looked at fully, so that the Afghan tragedy is never repeated."ENDS.
ROBERTSON EXPRESSES FEAR FOR POST OFFICES
Posted on Tuesday, October 17 2006
Moray SNP MP Angus Robertson has expressed fears for the future of the rural Post Office network and made a strong plea for the government to recognise the social function of the Post Office network.Mr Robertson was speaking after a Commons debate on Monday where the Scottish National Party challenged the Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick, over the problems facing those in rural areas.Mr Robertson said:"The Minister does not seem to accept that the real problem for post offices began with the removal of benefit payments. In many rural areas people cannot get access to an ATM, or when they can they have to pay to use it. If someone is existing on benefits or pension that can mean a significant proportion of their weekly income is paid just to get access to their own money. The situation is deeply unfair."I am fearful for the fate of the post office network, especially in areas like Moray, since the Minister clearly has in mind another round of closures following the ending of the rural subsidy scheme in 2008.The minister refused to say how many offices he thought would shut but clearly it will be substantial."There is a particular problem to areas of rural Scotland where there were a number of small post offices. It should also be understood that not all offices designated as rural are in small villages.Mr Robertson reiterated after the debate that the SNP would continue to campaign to secure the future of the post office network.Mr Robertson added:"Next May the people of Scotland have a clear choice between a Labour and Lib Dem Scottish government that has failed to stand up for Scotland on this issue or an SNP led government that will ensure post offices have a future by opposing Westminster's privatisation and competition plans."" It's time for a governent that will take proper responsibility for the future of the Post Office Network in rural areas like Moray."ENDS.
SALMOND WELCOMES POSITIVE ENDORSEMENTS FOR INDEPENDENCE
Posted on Sunday, October 15 2006
SNP leader Alex Salmond MP has welcomed comments reported in today's(Sunday) papers by Cardinal O'Brien and Sir Tom Farmer expressingpositive remarks about the inevitability and benefits of independence.Commenting Mr Salmond said:"Cardinal Keith O'Brien and Sir Tom Farmer are both men of vision andstature in Scotland. I am delighted they have both issued positivesignals about independence and self-determination for the nation."Coming after the successful SNP conference in Perth their remarksshow that a significant shift is occurring in Scottish politics. Thereis a greater confidence afoot allowing prominent Scots to expresstheir support for Scotland being a normal nation."We should not be surprised that when support for independence hasreached historic highs that such expressions of positive support areoccurring throughout Scottish society."These supportive remarks show that the 2007 election has been firmlyset up as a two horse race between an SNP with a positive vision forScotland and a tired old Labour party which has run out of ideas."ENDS
|