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News release
Immediate release
21/05/09
SNP MSP Rob Gibson took to the field to hear how Cash back for Communities from the proceeds of crime are being put to good use by Wick Academy FC.
Mr Gibson visited Harmsworth Park to hear how the £27,455 grant from the Scottish Government cash back for communities will be deployed.
The scheme which sees criminal's profits seized and given back to community projects throughout the country saw the Scorries net a club development container complete with mobile floodlights, generator, grass cutting machinery, goal posts and sports equipment.
Mr Gibson who met with Chairman Colin Stewart and committee member Ken Wood said….
"This is yet another great result for Wick Academy. The equipment will help improve training for the club."
"Wick Academy has had an excellent record breaking season which has a seen positive and national coverage. It is great to speak to Colin and Ken. Their passion and commitment to the club matches that of the players."
There is a great spirit among the squad and management which saw them go ten games in a row undefeated. I witnessed some of this camaraderie first hand during my assistant Gail's wedding and I am not surprised by their progress."
"I wish them every success for next season."
ENDS
Copy of photo of left to Right are; Ken Wood (committee member), Rob Gibson MSP, Dr Aileen Mcleod (SNP Euro Candidate) and Colin Stewart (chairman)
News release
Immediate release
14/05/09
Highlands and Irelands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has accused North Lib Dem MP's of betraying constituents again after they failed to vote for an SNP proposal which would have reduced fuel costs to motorists and haulage firms.
Mr Gibson was commenting after a coalition of Lib Dems and Conservatives MP's absented themselves to allow Labour to vote down a SNP amendment which would have introduced a fuel duty regulator.
The regulator would see any extra cash raised from VAT on higher pump prices go straight back into an equivalent cut in fuel duty.
Speaking after the vote Mr Gibson said...
"Yet again the Lib Dems and their cohorts did nothing to stop Labour voting down a sensible and fair policy from the SNP which would have reduced the cost for motorists and hauliers in the Highlands and Islands.
"This policy is about protecting jobs in the transport industry and helping motorists and businesses, so it is bitterly disappointing that for party political reasons the Lib Dems fail to back the policy which would benefit their constituents."
"It is a scandal that in an oil rich country key sectors are struggling to fill their tanks, a Fuel Duty Regulator would have made an enormous difference. what is becoming more and more obvious is that people of rural Scotland cannot rely on the UK Westminster Government to reduce their fuel costs.
ENDS
News release
Immediate release
12/05/09
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has called for Highland Council to account for the Caithness Heat and Power scheme.
Commenting Mr Gibson said...
"The time has come Highland Council to account for the botched and complicated Wick CHaP scheme for Pulteneytown. Lessons can be learned and need to be quickly."
"The Scottish Government has indicated a target of 11% of demand for heat will come from renewable sources. At present 1% of demand is met. Therefore the Highland Council can play a key role. Paying for such schemes can reduce over time. Today the SNP seeks assurance that a sustainable scheme will be put in place."
ENDS
News release
Immediate release
12/05/09
Highlands and islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has challenged the MoD to make public it's environmental impact study on military manouvers around Cape Wrath.
Mr Gibson was speaking after the MoD said that safeguarding the environment was a priority during the Joint Warrior military exercise despite the fact that some of it would take place on environmentally sensitive areas.
Mr Gibson said…
"I think the public should be made aware of what precautions the MoD will be taking to make sure that the 'largest military exercise in Europe' does not adversely affect the land and environment of the tip of North West Scotland."
"The fact that the MoD insist on having this exercise during lambing season and during the Cape Wrath Challenge shows a scant regard and a lack of respect to the people of the area. Given this behaviour I will take the MoD's claims with a pinch of salt."
"I hope that we do not see a repeat of last year when military exercises resulted in a heath fire which led to the loss of much flora, fauna and wild life causing 10 years worth of damage."
ENDS
Published in the Sunday Herald, 10 May 2009By Paul Hutcheon and Tom GordonHolyrood seeks advice on remit of investigation
A POWERFUL Holyrood committee is drawing up plans for an investigation into the collapse of the country's two largest banks.
MSPs want an inquiry into how HBOS and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) turned from profitable institutions into firms requiring a bail-out. The group wants to call ministers from the UK government and key figures in the Bank of England to give evidence.
The Sunday Herald last month called for a special Holyrood inquiry into the near-demise of the two financial institutions. The financial incompetence of the banks has cost the UK taxpayer billions of pounds and tarnished Scotland's international reputation for financial management.
It is understood that Holyrood's Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee is considering plans for a full-scale inquiry into the banking disaster. The committee's clerk is compiling an options paper for MSPs on the group.
One of the thorny issues is whether the remit should extend to beyond the poor-decision making of HBOS, which is now part of Lloyds Banking Group, and RBS.
Nationalist members would prefer an inquiry that also focused on the role of the UK government, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and other players on the UK stage.
Rob Gibson, the committee's SNP deputy convener, said: "The response I got from Iain Smith MSP, the committee's convener was that he was taking advice from the clerk, who is drawing up a paper."
"We need to have the widest ranging inquiry to make it work, which would include the political leadership in London, the FSA, and the Bank of England."
Liberal Democrat and SNP support for an inquiry would command four votes of the eight-member committee.
A tie would hand the casting vote to Smith, who is also a LibDem.
Another member of the committee, Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald, said he was keeping his options open.
He said: "I want to wait and see whether it is possible to have a meaningful and detailed inquiry. I'm open to persuasion."
Gavin Brown MSP, a Conservative, said he was sceptical of the idea but willing to discuss options.
He said: "I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand. The question is whether an inquiry would add value, or whether it would be a pale imitation of the Westminster inquiry."
The campaign has already attracted high-profile support.
Former judge Lord McCluskey; the STUC general secretary, Grahame Smith; historian Tom Devine and former Bank of Scotland chief executive Peter Burt have all endorsed an inquiry.
Other support has come from Scottish Chambers of Commerce chief executive Liz Cameron; Canon Kenyon Wright, one of the architects of devolution, and John Kay, an economic adviser to the Scottish government.
Political support has come from Scottish LibDem leader Tavish Scott, First Minister Alex Salmond. the Scottish Greens and Margo Macdonald MSP.
Scott has said: "I would be totally in favour of any mechanism which allowed the full weight of parliamentary scrutiny to come to bear on what has been an enormous event in the history of Scotland's financial industries."
Salmond said: "I would support any Scottish parliamentary inquiry into the banks and the bad decisions that were made."
News release
Immediate release05/05/09Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson joined the throng celebrating Eigg's first Giant's Footsteps Family Festival last weekend.Mr Gibson also lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament congratulating the people of Eigg for holding the festival and wishing them every success in the final of the NESTA big green competition. He said…"The organisers claim that it provided 'the most fun you can have while combating Climate Change' was very true." "Eigg's wind, hydro and solar power system shows how communities large and small can shape their own carbon footprint. A small island has set the pace and deserves to win the NESTA prize." "Among the many delights of an eco friendly weekend was the children's play by EcoDrama. The off the wall eco fable had kids and adults alike in the village hall in stitches and tears of laughter. It should be shown round Scotland to inspire others to emulate the innovation on Eigg."
"I will be exploring ways to have a performance in the Scottish Parliament."
ENDS
Note to editor
Copy of motion
S3M-04045 Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish National Party): Salute Eigg— That the Parliament congratulates the people of Eigg on holding the first Eigg Giant’s Footstep Family Festival on 2 and 3 May 2009, which will focus on the island’s renewable electricity scheme that powers most of the island’s homes and businesses; notes that the festival will include talks, workshops, music and theatre as well as a host of experts to provide advice and answer questions on what individuals and communities can do to tackle climate change; recognises the gigantic strides that the islanders of Eigg have made and are continuing to make since taking control of their island in 1997, and wishes every success to the island's bid, as Scotland’s only finalist, to win the UK-wide NESTA Big Green Challenge competition.
News release
Immediate release
SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands Rob Gibson has advocated the use of compulsory purchase to help speed up the regeneration of John O' Groats.
Commenting on proposals to help regenerate the village he said….
"John O' Groats has languished for far too long. Caithness needs a speedy breakthrough.
"HIE must come up with a solution within three months. Caithness Chambers of Commerce must be directly involved. Scotland's own 'Land's End' has great potential. But previous Highland Councils and previous Lib/Lab Scottish Executives showed no urgency.
"A new spirit is enterprise spirit is awakening in the Far North. The prize of renewables, the success of Mey selections, the growing acclaim for world surfers around north beaches. I believe that compulsory purchase should be applied to the derelict hotel to show the community's determination to make John O' Groats a sustainable success.
ENDS
