MP CRITICISES PROLONGED POST OFFICE UNCERTAINTY
Posted on Thursday, August 23 2007
Member of Parliament for Moray Angus Robertson has criticised the long delay that is being imposed by Royal Mail before Postmasters and Communities learn the fate of their local Post Offices. The process has already lasted nearly a year creating huge uncertainty for rural Post Offices. The review that is currently being undertaken was announced by Labour last year followed by an announcement of a massive closure programme. It remains to be seen which Post Offices are likely to close but Moray will almost certainly suffer cuts to the service. Incredibly the projected date for publication of the proposals that will include Moray are the 28th April in 2008 - some eight months away with a further period of consultation to follow. Commenting on the process the SNP's Angus Robertson said: " The way in which the government is treating the Postmasters is completely outrageous. By the time we reach the end of this process it will be around two years, if not more, since the announcement by the Trade & Industry Secretary in parliament last year. " The Scottish National Party has fought tooth and nail to support rural Post Offices with the government relying on an army of backbench support to ignore the concerns of Postmasters and rural communities. " To place so much uncertainty over the heads of hard-working Post Office staff is completely unconsionable and the government should be ashamed of their conduct in this matter. " Post Offices have suffered cut after cut as a result of New Labour's policies, and rural communities, particularly in areas like Moray look set to bear the brunt of closures. " These communities are constantly under attack and I have said time and again that the government must take action to protect the rural communities and their key services, including the Post Offices which are often the only shop and a focal point of village life." Ends.
MP WELCOMES BIO-FUEL RESEARCH
Posted on Thursday, August 23 2007
"Moray has the potential to be a biofuel powerhouse" - Angus Robertson MPMoray Scottish National Party MP Angus Robertson has welcomed news of a research grant that will help scientists from Abertay University investigate the use of distilling and brewing by-products as a bio-fuel.The research aims to find ways of converting spent grain into bio-ethanol which is much more environementally friendly than traditional fuels.While CO2 is produced by using bio-ethanol, CO2 is then re-absorbed in the growth of new barley making the fuel sustainable. This makes the whole process far better than fossil fuel burning which causes a constant increase in CO2 levels rather than maintaining a balance.In the past concerns have been raised about the use of food crops to produce bio-fuels but in this case researchers are concentrating their efforts on utilising waste products from the production of whisky and beer.Commenting on the funding development the SNP's Angus Robertson said: " This research could have very significant implications for Moray given the very large number of whisky distilleries in the region. Moray has the potential to be a bio-fuel powerhouse." Bio-fuel production also has the potential to provide well-paid skilled work boosting Moray's economic prospects and the standard of living in the region. " Clearly there is a significant amount of research to be carried out before this is a reality but in the meantime I will be encouraging whisky producers to support this project at Abertay and I am sure many people in the industry will be keeping a close eye on the work being carried out."Ends.
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