ATTN: Press and Journal NEWSDESK / POLITICAL
For immediate use 16th February 2011
GIBSON ON TIMES POLL
Commenting on the recent Ipsos MORI poll for the Times, which shows the SNP in the lead against Labour and the Lib Dems at a miserable 10%, SNP Caithness Sutherland and Ross candidate Rob Gibson MSP said:
"This is an encouraging poll for the SNP, especially in the Highlands, but we're taking nothing for granted up here. We'll work harder than ever to promote the SNP's positive record in the North, and our optimistic vision for the Highlands.
"With Alex Salmond as out First Minister, we can keep on winning for the North."
Showing posts with label Rob Gibson MSP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rob Gibson MSP. Show all posts
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Monday, 22 November 2010
HIE kick starts Scrabster development
News release - Immediate use
Rob Gibson SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands has praised HIE for committing £5 million to begin the transformation of Scrabster Harbour as a base for marine renewable servicing.
He welcomed the news from HIE today Monday 22nd November and commented,
" Scrabster Harbour Board has pioneered the transformation of the Far North economy. They deserve every praise for pledging around a third of the cost to the Phase One project which will strengthen quay and deepen a berth for handling renewable equipment and other commercial shipping uses. Now HIE has placed an important brick in the wall of the total sums required. Its up to other funders to follow their lead."
"The SNP Government has ambitious aims for Pentland Firth renewables seabed leases, the most recent of which was won by MeyGen for the Inner Sound between Stroma and the Caithness coast. MeyGen want to base their operations at Scrabster.
"Now HIE has begun the serious business of delivery to meet tidal and wave power targets that require port infrastructure for a start. Well done to the HIE Board for quickening the pace of development in Caithness. The whole county will welcome their commitment."
Rob Gibson SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands has praised HIE for committing £5 million to begin the transformation of Scrabster Harbour as a base for marine renewable servicing.
He welcomed the news from HIE today Monday 22nd November and commented,
" Scrabster Harbour Board has pioneered the transformation of the Far North economy. They deserve every praise for pledging around a third of the cost to the Phase One project which will strengthen quay and deepen a berth for handling renewable equipment and other commercial shipping uses. Now HIE has placed an important brick in the wall of the total sums required. Its up to other funders to follow their lead."
"The SNP Government has ambitious aims for Pentland Firth renewables seabed leases, the most recent of which was won by MeyGen for the Inner Sound between Stroma and the Caithness coast. MeyGen want to base their operations at Scrabster.
"Now HIE has begun the serious business of delivery to meet tidal and wave power targets that require port infrastructure for a start. Well done to the HIE Board for quickening the pace of development in Caithness. The whole county will welcome their commitment."
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Gibson accuses Lib Dems over Postal service
News release
Immediate release
22/09/10
ENDS
Immediate release
22/09/10
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has accused the
Liberal Democrats in Scotland of betraying rural communities
and businesses following the revelation that the UK Coalition
Government are considering scrapping Saturday postal deliveries.
The idea was floated in a leaked letter between Vince Cable and
Chancellor George Osbourne. Obtained by the Press and Journal,
the letter from the Business Secretary Vince Cable raises the
prospect of a reduction in minimum service requirements, and
that legislation he plans to introduce would “build in
flexibility to amend” these minimum requirements in future.
The letter appeared just days after Scottish LibDem leader
Tavish Scott claimed to have received a 'copper bottom
guarantee' on the future of the postal service.
Mr Gibson, who lodged a motion in Parliament earlier this month
highlighting the problems encountered by Scottish firms and
parcel deliveries, said that this was a worrying development
given the forthcoming privatisation of the Royal Mail….
"The Lib Dems and Conservatives have embraced whole heartedly
the sell off of the Royal Mail, that raises serious questions
over the service that we will get in remote and rural areas."
"Tavish Scott sought to allay those fears, however his words
are ringing hollow following the appearance of this letter. It
begs the question is Tavish Scott aware what is going on or is
he spreading misinformation."
"The Liberal Democrat claim that the postal service from
Kensington to Kyleakin would not be affected due to
privatisation always was a non starter this news is just
confirmation. The ideas set out in this letter would suggest
that postal service from Kyleakin to Keiss and beyond will
suffer far more than Kensington. It is a shameful betrayal by
the Liberal Democrats of those that live and work in remote and
rural areas. It is also an abandonment of principles of the Lib
Dems in favour of their Ministerial Mondeos."
"The fact is that businesses in rural Scotland rely upon the
services provided by Royal Mail. A reduction in the current
minimum requirements of the Universal Service Obligation will
seriously impact on rural areas and will undermine efforts to
regenerate the rural economy."
"First of all Labour cut the amount of Post offices in remote
rural areas now the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives seem
intent of cutting the postal services to these areas. It is a
triple whammy from the UK Government of all colours which will
do our remote and rural communities no good at all."
Mr Gibson also challenged a Lib Dem, Labour or Conservative MSP
to sign his motion on the parcel deliveries.
ENDS
Friday, 17 September 2010
Gibson welcomes GM dialogue decision
News release
immediate release
17/09/10
News that the UK Government is to abandon a Food Standards
Agency dialogue on GM technologies with the public has been
warmly welcomed by Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson.
MR Gibson was speaking after it was announced by UK Science
Minister David Willets that the dialogue would not continue in
it's current form and that the new Government were taking the
opportunity to step back and review past dialogues on GM and
other areas of science.
Although Mr Willets also said that the UK Government were still
developing their policy on the use of GM technology in food and
agriculture, Rob, a longstanding critic of GM technologies in
food and agriculture, said that the dialogue was discredited
and a waste of time...
"Two cheers for Science Minister Willets, the hugely
discredited FSA run public dialogue on the place of GM crops
has been ditched in its present form.
"Whilst Mr Willets wishes to increase the dialogue about
science and UK government policy with the public that has to be
on a basis of science not on the wishes of multinational
biotech firms. Labour were in the thrall to firms such as
Monsanto, and were ready to roll out GM across England and
would do the same in Scotland given half a chance. I hope that
the new coalition Government in Westminster is more circumspect
on the issue as Labour whilst in power were brazen."
"I am delighted that the Scottish Government and those in Wales
and Northern Ireland reject GM development of field crops. I
took part in a Holyrood debate yesterday on the value of
Scottish food and drink. Now we must press the UK to recognise
natural values in food and drop the big lies that GM can feed
the world."
ENDS
immediate release
17/09/10
News that the UK Government is to abandon a Food Standards
Agency dialogue on GM technologies with the public has been
warmly welcomed by Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson.
MR Gibson was speaking after it was announced by UK Science
Minister David Willets that the dialogue would not continue in
it's current form and that the new Government were taking the
opportunity to step back and review past dialogues on GM and
other areas of science.
Although Mr Willets also said that the UK Government were still
developing their policy on the use of GM technology in food and
agriculture, Rob, a longstanding critic of GM technologies in
food and agriculture, said that the dialogue was discredited
and a waste of time...
"Two cheers for Science Minister Willets, the hugely
discredited FSA run public dialogue on the place of GM crops
has been ditched in its present form.
"Whilst Mr Willets wishes to increase the dialogue about
science and UK government policy with the public that has to be
on a basis of science not on the wishes of multinational
biotech firms. Labour were in the thrall to firms such as
Monsanto, and were ready to roll out GM across England and
would do the same in Scotland given half a chance. I hope that
the new coalition Government in Westminster is more circumspect
on the issue as Labour whilst in power were brazen."
"I am delighted that the Scottish Government and those in Wales
and Northern Ireland reject GM development of field crops. I
took part in a Holyrood debate yesterday on the value of
Scottish food and drink. Now we must press the UK to recognise
natural values in food and drop the big lies that GM can feed
the world."
ENDS
Thursday, 16 September 2010
Highland Councillors look to investors to finance £18m upgrade of local authority buildings
Campaigners hit out over plans to privatise care homes
By Laura Paterson
Published: 16/09/2010
Local campaigners have hit out at councillors deciding to canvass private sector interest in taking over care homes currently run by the local authority.
At yesterday’s housing and social work committee meeting in Inverness, it was agreed to seek interest from the private sector over building new care homes at Duthac House in Tain and Urray House in Muir of Ord.
Director of social work Bill Alexander told the meeting that upgrading the care homes was not the best use of the council’s money.
He said refurbishing the homes would cost £280,000 initially, and £18million over the next five years. Both homes have rooms which fall short of standards on space and lack private bathrooms.
But Highland MSP Rob Gibson said the council was not reflecting the view of local residents.
He said: “There are many aspects that make Duthac House dearly loved by the residents of Tain and the elderly people who live there.
“This is not playing politics, but reflecting the views of the majority of people in Tain.”
Molly Doyle, secretary of the Highland Senior Citizen’s Network, said they were “not happy” about the plans and feared the private sector would provide a poorer service.
She added: “We want them to stay within the local authority.”
At the meeting, Tain councillor Alasdair Rhind said going to the private sector was the way forward for Duthac House and accused Mr Gibson of playing politics with local residents in his opposition to the proposals.
Dingwall and Seaforth councillor, Margaret Paterson, said both care homes were in poor condition. She said: “It’s not my preferred option to have an independent provider, but we really have no option.”
The committee chairman, Margaret Davidson, said: “While our staff have striven to make the buildings homely, the nature and design of both buildings militates against this, and patching up the homes does not make economic sense.
“There is no doubt that both Muir of Ord and Tain require care home provision and we have the unanimous agreement of the committee to test the market to identify an independent provider who will invest in modern and high quality residential care homes.”
Essential upgrades to both homes will take place in the meantime.
The committee also agreed to upgrade facilities at three other care homes – Ach-an-Eas in Inverness, Grant House in Grantown, and Invernevis in Fort William.
Read more: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1920498#ixzz0zgY9jO00
By Laura Paterson
Published: 16/09/2010
Local campaigners have hit out at councillors deciding to canvass private sector interest in taking over care homes currently run by the local authority.
At yesterday’s housing and social work committee meeting in Inverness, it was agreed to seek interest from the private sector over building new care homes at Duthac House in Tain and Urray House in Muir of Ord.
Director of social work Bill Alexander told the meeting that upgrading the care homes was not the best use of the council’s money.
He said refurbishing the homes would cost £280,000 initially, and £18million over the next five years. Both homes have rooms which fall short of standards on space and lack private bathrooms.
But Highland MSP Rob Gibson said the council was not reflecting the view of local residents.
He said: “There are many aspects that make Duthac House dearly loved by the residents of Tain and the elderly people who live there.
“This is not playing politics, but reflecting the views of the majority of people in Tain.”
Molly Doyle, secretary of the Highland Senior Citizen’s Network, said they were “not happy” about the plans and feared the private sector would provide a poorer service.
She added: “We want them to stay within the local authority.”
At the meeting, Tain councillor Alasdair Rhind said going to the private sector was the way forward for Duthac House and accused Mr Gibson of playing politics with local residents in his opposition to the proposals.
Dingwall and Seaforth councillor, Margaret Paterson, said both care homes were in poor condition. She said: “It’s not my preferred option to have an independent provider, but we really have no option.”
The committee chairman, Margaret Davidson, said: “While our staff have striven to make the buildings homely, the nature and design of both buildings militates against this, and patching up the homes does not make economic sense.
“There is no doubt that both Muir of Ord and Tain require care home provision and we have the unanimous agreement of the committee to test the market to identify an independent provider who will invest in modern and high quality residential care homes.”
Essential upgrades to both homes will take place in the meantime.
The committee also agreed to upgrade facilities at three other care homes – Ach-an-Eas in Inverness, Grant House in Grantown, and Invernevis in Fort William.
Read more: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1920498#ixzz0zgY9jO00
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
Duthac House does not deserve privatisation
Rob Gibson SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands has questioned the motives of Highland Council Social Work Department in suggesting £0.9 million needs to be spent on Duthac House care home immediately.
He said,
“I am disappointed that local councillor Alasdair Rhind continues to reject the majority opinion in Tain which wants to see investment in Duthac House for the long term, not a new home.”
“I am shocked that the Housing and Social Work Committee can treat a gold star care home in this way. When certain private homes can achieve poor scores from the Care Commission, Duthac House gets 5 out 6 in recent inspections.”
“ With cuts cascading down from Westminster as the latest excuse, the LibDem, Labour and Independent led Highland Council has finally got its way. Privatise everything to get it off the books.”
“Tain people will seek allies to fight this move and reverse the Council’s stance.”
He said,
“I am disappointed that local councillor Alasdair Rhind continues to reject the majority opinion in Tain which wants to see investment in Duthac House for the long term, not a new home.”
“I am shocked that the Housing and Social Work Committee can treat a gold star care home in this way. When certain private homes can achieve poor scores from the Care Commission, Duthac House gets 5 out 6 in recent inspections.”
“ With cuts cascading down from Westminster as the latest excuse, the LibDem, Labour and Independent led Highland Council has finally got its way. Privatise everything to get it off the books.”
“Tain people will seek allies to fight this move and reverse the Council’s stance.”
Monday, 6 September 2010
SNP MSP joins survivors of WW2 Arctic convoys to promote a museum for their artefacts.
For immediate use
Rob Gibson SNP MSP was proud to be invited to speak at and join the remembrance service at Cove on Loch Ewe for the 3,000 seamen lost in the WW2 Arctic convoys.
Speaking after the service at the Scottish Russian Arctic Convoy Club memorial on Saturday 4th September, Rob said,
" I was honoured to be invited by the Scottish Convoy Club chairman Jock Dempster to address the gathering alongside the Lord Lieutenant of Ross, Cromarty, Skye and Lochalsh Janet Bowen. Around thirty Scottish veterans survive today from the seamen who served on these hazardous Arctic convoys to Murmansk which carried vital war materials to aid our Russian allies on the Eastern Front. We all agreed that local efforts deserve national recognition and support to find a place and install the memorabilia of this dwindling band of quiet heroes."
"I am the first MSP or MP to be present and with links to the Russian Consulate who have never forgotten these seam, I am writing to Highland Council to refresh the Naval Trail set up in the days of Ross and Cromarty District Council that highlight the part played by Wester Ross and other areas of the north in the defence of freedom and the defeat of the Nazis. I am also seeking support from our veteran's minister in the Scottish Government, Alex Neil MSP. But the main wishes of the members of the Russian Arctic Convoy Club Scotland is for a local museum to focus on the convoys which overwhelmingly sailed from Loch Ewe that needs to be achieved."
"I'm sure that a meeting of minds at local community level with the Highland Council and Scottish Government can see their dream realised."
Rob Gibson SNP MSP was proud to be invited to speak at and join the remembrance service at Cove on Loch Ewe for the 3,000 seamen lost in the WW2 Arctic convoys.
Speaking after the service at the Scottish Russian Arctic Convoy Club memorial on Saturday 4th September, Rob said,
" I was honoured to be invited by the Scottish Convoy Club chairman Jock Dempster to address the gathering alongside the Lord Lieutenant of Ross, Cromarty, Skye and Lochalsh Janet Bowen. Around thirty Scottish veterans survive today from the seamen who served on these hazardous Arctic convoys to Murmansk which carried vital war materials to aid our Russian allies on the Eastern Front. We all agreed that local efforts deserve national recognition and support to find a place and install the memorabilia of this dwindling band of quiet heroes."
"I am the first MSP or MP to be present and with links to the Russian Consulate who have never forgotten these seam, I am writing to Highland Council to refresh the Naval Trail set up in the days of Ross and Cromarty District Council that highlight the part played by Wester Ross and other areas of the north in the defence of freedom and the defeat of the Nazis. I am also seeking support from our veteran's minister in the Scottish Government, Alex Neil MSP. But the main wishes of the members of the Russian Arctic Convoy Club Scotland is for a local museum to focus on the convoys which overwhelmingly sailed from Loch Ewe that needs to be achieved."
"I'm sure that a meeting of minds at local community level with the Highland Council and Scottish Government can see their dream realised."
 |
| Rob Gibson with Jock Dempster and two of the other veterans |
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