News release
Immediate release
06/07/08
A productive and friendly partnership is ready to be struck up between businesses in Scotland and Siberia which could make a positive difference to the Country. Says Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson.
Mr Gibson words came during a trip to the oil and gas rich Province of Khanty Mansiysk in Western Siberia where (among others) he met the Governor (Alexander Filipenko), the deputy chairman of government issues of Investment and Innovation Mr Morozovs as well as the deputy Governor Oleg Goncharov (whom Rob met and had informal economic talks with in Orkney, during the unveiling of the Yuri Gagarin Stone at Skara Brae, earlier this year).
Rob was invited to the Province after he helped secure the memorial stone on the timeline at Skara Brae (Orkney) , which commemorates the first man in space, the Russian Yuri Gagarin.
"Thanks to contacts with the highest levels of the government of the Autonomous Okrug of Khanty Mansiysk made possible by Alexander Korobko the principal of London-based Russian Hour TV I am able to scope the possibilities for Scottish exports and business relations available here."
"There are one and a half million inhabitants living in an area the size of France. 25,000 are native Khanty people who still live a traditional lifestyle to some extent. The attraction from the late Soviet times was oil. This area has helped transform the modern Russian economy."
"My series of informal meetings and visits to facilities and cultural, health and educational institutions shows how Mr Filipenko has been able to create a vitally modern city, about the size of Inverness from a Siberian oil camp. Like Scotland, Khanty Mansiysk has as much if not more oil in reserve and its deposits are huge being over 57 percent of Russian fed output "
"The Russian Federation has benefited hugely from Khanty Mansiysk and the Province has managed to buck the trend of falling population which is prevalent throughout much of Russia. It has been subject to major social investment using oil and gas profits to build a broader and more attractive economy for the future."
"Modern educational and health facilities encourage population retention and growth, along with cutting edge maternity services."
"it is an enchanting place in midst of endless forests, huge river systems and bogs. Summer a bit like ours but winter ferociously cold. There are smart and astute leaders both in Politics and the business community. I see great potential for Scotland and Siberia (as well as other parts of Russia too) to do business. There is a will in Siberia to make these connection so it is time for Scotland to start talking."
"Economic co-operation between the Highlands and Islands and this part of Russia could mark the beginning of huge benefits. One potential spin off could be access to cheaper fuel, in an area where we suffer greatly from fuel poverty, that would be a situation which could vastly improve the region."
Mr Gibson also learnt about that the Province's oil companies are seeking access to EU markets. He was told could that if access was granted it could stimulate competition which could see fuel prices reduced for consumers across the board.
ENDS
Sunday, 6 July 2008
Friday, 27 June 2008
Gibson highlights Highland and Orkney flooding dangers
News release
Immediate release
27/06/08
Highlands and islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has accused the MET Office of endangering Highland communities due to a lack of high tech monitoring of heavy rain fall.
MR Gibson's accusation came during a debate in Parliament about flooding yesterday (Thursday 26/06).
In the Debate it was pointed out that 95% of England and Wales are covered by a high resolution radar which warns about extreme weather that could cause flooding. In Scotland that figure is falls to barely 50%. Those area which are not covered include the Highlands, Moray and Orkney.
Mr Gibson said it was time for Scotland to take control of forecasting extreme weather….
"High resolution radar is a matter for the Met Office, which we do not control, and it has also been a matter for the Ministry of Defence. It is now necessary for us to have the debate with London, in the joint ministerial committees, to decide on funding. We should be looking to catch up, because we were left out in the past as being less important. We are equally important, and it is essential that we are able to catch up. We need to have an overall body, and SEPA is that competent authority, but each local authority has to be tasked to do things. I ask that when the bill is presented, we get a clear steer on how to fund radar."
During the debate Mr Gibson also related serious flooding that has taken place throughout the Highlands and Islands in recent years and the lessons that still needed to be learnt from them.
One incident he spoke about was in his own village of Evanton...
"More and more building has taken place up the hill in Chapel Road, Teandallon Place and Swordale Road, which has meant that the hard concrete and tarmac makes a natural course to carry the waters down. As we heard a parliamentary statement on the floods, we were looking at pictures of the floods at the bottom of the street. Preparation involving flooding equipment, deeper drains and so on will take vast investment, and in small villages such as Evanton there will be major disruption, as there would be in cities. However, the same houses are being flooded time after time. Such villages deserve to be saved from having to face that again."
Another was the flood that engulfed the home of Gartymore Crofter Margo MacGregor in October 2006 he said….
"Margot MacGregor suddenly saw water flowing past her kitchen window—it was 20ft deep, rather than the burn that normally passes her house. That was frightening for her, and in future we will probably not allow people to build croft houses in such areas."
"The culvert became blocked by branches, trees and bushes that were taken down by the flood, and the water flooded over the main A9, washing away about 50yd of the railway bed. It took an enormous effort to convince the police to close the A9, because of the huge diversions that were required. I was able to convince them that Network Rail should get a two-hour window four days later, on a Sunday afternoon, to begin the process of lifting the railway."
Photo: Margo McGregor's home area (house off photo to bottom right)
"That incident highlights the lack of co-ordination, starting with the way in which we manage culverts and ensure that people do not dump bushes and trees into water courses. Landowners have to be more careful about keeping water courses clear. That example shows that people need to be much more geared up to do the routine maintenance that could cut out the problems."
After the debate Mr Gibson commented,
"There is broad agreement between the parties that long-term planning to cope with flooding is a must. But it is essential that the services we do not yet control in Scotland, such as the high resolution radar should be funded as a matter of urgency from the coffers of the London Government. Rural Scotland does not deserve a second class service through lack of appropriate investment."
ENDS
Immediate release
27/06/08
Highlands and islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has accused the MET Office of endangering Highland communities due to a lack of high tech monitoring of heavy rain fall.
MR Gibson's accusation came during a debate in Parliament about flooding yesterday (Thursday 26/06).
In the Debate it was pointed out that 95% of England and Wales are covered by a high resolution radar which warns about extreme weather that could cause flooding. In Scotland that figure is falls to barely 50%. Those area which are not covered include the Highlands, Moray and Orkney.
Mr Gibson said it was time for Scotland to take control of forecasting extreme weather….
"High resolution radar is a matter for the Met Office, which we do not control, and it has also been a matter for the Ministry of Defence. It is now necessary for us to have the debate with London, in the joint ministerial committees, to decide on funding. We should be looking to catch up, because we were left out in the past as being less important. We are equally important, and it is essential that we are able to catch up. We need to have an overall body, and SEPA is that competent authority, but each local authority has to be tasked to do things. I ask that when the bill is presented, we get a clear steer on how to fund radar."
During the debate Mr Gibson also related serious flooding that has taken place throughout the Highlands and Islands in recent years and the lessons that still needed to be learnt from them.
One incident he spoke about was in his own village of Evanton...
"More and more building has taken place up the hill in Chapel Road, Teandallon Place and Swordale Road, which has meant that the hard concrete and tarmac makes a natural course to carry the waters down. As we heard a parliamentary statement on the floods, we were looking at pictures of the floods at the bottom of the street. Preparation involving flooding equipment, deeper drains and so on will take vast investment, and in small villages such as Evanton there will be major disruption, as there would be in cities. However, the same houses are being flooded time after time. Such villages deserve to be saved from having to face that again."
Another was the flood that engulfed the home of Gartymore Crofter Margo MacGregor in October 2006 he said….
"Margot MacGregor suddenly saw water flowing past her kitchen window—it was 20ft deep, rather than the burn that normally passes her house. That was frightening for her, and in future we will probably not allow people to build croft houses in such areas."
"The culvert became blocked by branches, trees and bushes that were taken down by the flood, and the water flooded over the main A9, washing away about 50yd of the railway bed. It took an enormous effort to convince the police to close the A9, because of the huge diversions that were required. I was able to convince them that Network Rail should get a two-hour window four days later, on a Sunday afternoon, to begin the process of lifting the railway."
Photo: Margo McGregor's home area (house off photo to bottom right)
"That incident highlights the lack of co-ordination, starting with the way in which we manage culverts and ensure that people do not dump bushes and trees into water courses. Landowners have to be more careful about keeping water courses clear. That example shows that people need to be much more geared up to do the routine maintenance that could cut out the problems."
After the debate Mr Gibson commented,
"There is broad agreement between the parties that long-term planning to cope with flooding is a must. But it is essential that the services we do not yet control in Scotland, such as the high resolution radar should be funded as a matter of urgency from the coffers of the London Government. Rural Scotland does not deserve a second class service through lack of appropriate investment."
ENDS
Gibson welcomes ferry report
News release
immediate release
27/06/08
Rob Gibson welcomed the report published today by the Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change committee (TICC) that proposes a long term strategy to deliver a modern, efficient and responsive ferry network.
Rob said,
"The Committee produced a unanimous report that seeks the formation of the very first ferry strategy to be drawn up by the Scottish Government.
"I am confident the report has put the needs of ferry users first and stated plainly that a strategy has to be drawn up independent of ferry operators.
"Meeting the needs of island and remote communities requires them to have routes, vessels and timetables that fit their needs.
"I hope that the Scottish Government will consult on the points our committee has raised. Also I believe that the EU decision to investigate the fairness of the arrangements in operating the current West Coast ferry services will lead to a transparency and a regulatory regime that fits the needs of European laws.
ENDS
immediate release
27/06/08
Rob Gibson welcomed the report published today by the Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change committee (TICC) that proposes a long term strategy to deliver a modern, efficient and responsive ferry network.
Rob said,
"The Committee produced a unanimous report that seeks the formation of the very first ferry strategy to be drawn up by the Scottish Government.
"I am confident the report has put the needs of ferry users first and stated plainly that a strategy has to be drawn up independent of ferry operators.
"Meeting the needs of island and remote communities requires them to have routes, vessels and timetables that fit their needs.
"I hope that the Scottish Government will consult on the points our committee has raised. Also I believe that the EU decision to investigate the fairness of the arrangements in operating the current West Coast ferry services will lead to a transparency and a regulatory regime that fits the needs of European laws.
ENDS
Monday, 23 June 2008
Sláinte Nós úr!
News release immediate release
23/06/08
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament congratulating the organisers, participants and audience of the first ever Minority languages song contest (focusing on Celtic languages and Scots) which took place in Inverness (Eden Court) on Saturday night (21st June).
The Nós Úr (new styles) competition saw 12 finalists as diverse as a Gaelic punk group and a Welsh Reggae band. The finalist came from Brittany, Wales, Ireland and Scotland (whose entries were in Gaelic and Scots). Two winners were chosen to go through to represent Western Europe in the pan-European final in Luleå, Sweden (18th October 2008). They were:
Yr Annioddefol from north Wales (chosen by a jury) and Gwennyn from Brittany (chosen by a public vote by those in the theatre and those listening on the Web)
Mr Gibson who attended the event said….
"Organisers Brian Ó hEadhra and all associated with the competition deserve the highest of credit it was a fantastic night's music and shows that the song traditions of Celtic Europe in their own language is as strong as ever."
"Both Gwennyn and Yr Annioddefol will be great representatives for Western Europe and I would not be surprised if either of them won it."
"What was apparent apart form the excellent music was the amount of young people involved in the competition. It inspires confidence for the future both for the music and especially the language. I would the future is sounding good."
"However all this must not be taken for granted and the UHI conference, organised by Dr Donna Heddle of the Centre for Nordic Studies (based in Orkney), on minority languages (Voices of the West) which run in conjunction with the competition are important to make sure that the impetus that such events inspire and represent are not lost.
He ended…
""Friendly competition such as the one on Saturday night helps foster a greater togetherness and understanding of similar cultures. Which can only be a good thing."
"Given the choice between attending the final in Sweden or the final of Eurovision it would be a no brainier!"
ENDS
NOTE
Link to website of Nós Úr:
Copy of Rob's motion:
Date of Lodging: 23 June 2008
Short Title: Slàinte Nòs Ùr S3M-02240 Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): That the Parliament congratulates the organisers, participants and audience of Nòs Ùr (new style) which took place in Eden Court Theatre, Inverness on 21 June 2008; recognises it is the first Celtic and Scots minority languages song competition of its kind which featured 12 finalists from Wales, Brittany, Ireland and Scotland whose entries were in Gaelic and Scots; applauds the UHI Millennium Institute for organising Voices of the West, a conference on minority languages which ran in conjunction with Nòs Ùr; welcomes the importance of vibrant Gaelic and Scots languages and heritage that underpin the self-confidence of Scottish culture and believes that friendly competitions like this helps to foster a greater togetherness and understanding of similar cultures; congratulates Yr Annioddefol from north Wales and Gwennyn from Brittany on their victory, and wishes them the best of luck when they represent Western Europe in the pan-European final of due to take place in Luleå, Sweden on 18 October 2008.
23/06/08
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament congratulating the organisers, participants and audience of the first ever Minority languages song contest (focusing on Celtic languages and Scots) which took place in Inverness (Eden Court) on Saturday night (21st June).
The Nós Úr (new styles) competition saw 12 finalists as diverse as a Gaelic punk group and a Welsh Reggae band. The finalist came from Brittany, Wales, Ireland and Scotland (whose entries were in Gaelic and Scots). Two winners were chosen to go through to represent Western Europe in the pan-European final in Luleå, Sweden (18th October 2008). They were:
Yr Annioddefol from north Wales (chosen by a jury) and Gwennyn from Brittany (chosen by a public vote by those in the theatre and those listening on the Web)
Mr Gibson who attended the event said….
"Organisers Brian Ó hEadhra and all associated with the competition deserve the highest of credit it was a fantastic night's music and shows that the song traditions of Celtic Europe in their own language is as strong as ever."
"Both Gwennyn and Yr Annioddefol will be great representatives for Western Europe and I would not be surprised if either of them won it."
"What was apparent apart form the excellent music was the amount of young people involved in the competition. It inspires confidence for the future both for the music and especially the language. I would the future is sounding good."
"However all this must not be taken for granted and the UHI conference, organised by Dr Donna Heddle of the Centre for Nordic Studies (based in Orkney), on minority languages (Voices of the West) which run in conjunction with the competition are important to make sure that the impetus that such events inspire and represent are not lost.
He ended…
""Friendly competition such as the one on Saturday night helps foster a greater togetherness and understanding of similar cultures. Which can only be a good thing."
"Given the choice between attending the final in Sweden or the final of Eurovision it would be a no brainier!"
ENDS
NOTE
Link to website of Nós Úr:
Copy of Rob's motion:
Date of Lodging: 23 June 2008
Short Title: Slàinte Nòs Ùr S3M-02240 Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): That the Parliament congratulates the organisers, participants and audience of Nòs Ùr (new style) which took place in Eden Court Theatre, Inverness on 21 June 2008; recognises it is the first Celtic and Scots minority languages song competition of its kind which featured 12 finalists from Wales, Brittany, Ireland and Scotland whose entries were in Gaelic and Scots; applauds the UHI Millennium Institute for organising Voices of the West, a conference on minority languages which ran in conjunction with Nòs Ùr; welcomes the importance of vibrant Gaelic and Scots languages and heritage that underpin the self-confidence of Scottish culture and believes that friendly competitions like this helps to foster a greater togetherness and understanding of similar cultures; congratulates Yr Annioddefol from north Wales and Gwennyn from Brittany on their victory, and wishes them the best of luck when they represent Western Europe in the pan-European final of due to take place in Luleå, Sweden on 18 October 2008.
Friday, 20 June 2008
'UK Labour Government in disarray over GM crop stance' - Gibson
News release
Immediate release
20/06/08
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has lambasted calls for GM crops to be grown in Scotland and claims that the Labour Party are in disarray over the issue.
Mr Gibson's words come in the wake of comments from a leading UK Government cabinet Minister that the UK should start growing GM crops.
However Mr Gibson said that the Government in Westminster was contradicting itself over the issue.
He pointed to a report from the Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) (the agricultural equivalent of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change) which concluded that GM crops were not the answer to world hunger. The report also concluded that the best way out of world hunger was by small-scale farming and ecological method.
This report was fully endorsed by the International Development Minister Douglas Alexander.
Earlier this month Mr Gibson lodged a motion in the Parliament supporting the reports findings and welcoming the endorsement from Douglas Alexander. However the motion has not been supported by one Labour MSP.
MR Gibson said..
"Nine days have passed since I lodged my motion congratulating Douglas Alexander for approving the contents of the IAASTD report yet not one Labour MSP seems to think that he did the right thing. The report shows that the variable results of GM yield offers no guarantee it can used as a tool to rid the world of hunger. Indeed the message of family farms and environmental methods has once again challenged Labour to get off the fence. Either they support the findings of the report as Mr Alexander or Gordon Brown's stance in Europe."
Mr Gibson went on to say that if the recent calls for mass production of GM crops in the UK were carried out it would tarnish Scotland's reputation for delivering healthy, clean and tasty produce and not deliver the benefits which the GM lobby claim...
"Pro GM hysteria whipped up by the UK Government has no scientific credibility and pits consumers against agribusiness. The Scottish Government's First National Food Policy sees no place for GM. It would cut across the image Scotland has of its food as the First Minister has said."
"In contrast the UK Labour government is urging Europe to open up the market for more GM maize and animal feed from abroad. This ignores the environmental damage to producer countries and diverts countries like Brazil and Argentina from growing conventional crops in a sustainable fashion. With feed prices soaring Scottish farmers have to ask themselves, can we produce more animal feed here? If we value quality and our customers certainly do, should we jeopardise our healthy food image with GM that the consumers reject?
He also warned that those who are joining in the rush for GM should tread very carefully….
"Our scientists and commentators must not reject the anti GM stance of the Scottish Government and consumers as anti-science. Outrageous claims are being made. For example the principal of the Scottish Agricultural College Bill McKelvey claimed 'it is up to society to decide which is the lesser of two evils; expensive food or GM crops'. These are not the options contained in the IAASTD report."
Rob Gibson also rejected the very notion that GM could produce food security in the world saying it was time for real research and science not knee jerk panicking and scaremongering….
"Since Douglas Alexander has endorsed the report's findings. It is time for a halt to wild claims for GM. Commentators need to dig deeper, indeed they need to review the plight of US farmers who cannot escape from GM crops. Wind blown seed has made GM endemic to many parts of USA. Meanwhile the multinational transgenic corporations cannot be allowed to trash the planet for their profit. And Scottish farmers cannot build food security here on the back of GM feed crops like soya grown abroad."
"The Scottish Government's 1st National Food policy provides an excellent backdrop to scotch the myths of GM and take a fair trade, fair deal approach for producers and consumers alike. Will UK Labour put up GM facts or just continue to scaremonger?"
ENDS
Note to Editor:
A copy of Rob's motion on the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development report on GM S3M-02125 Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish National Party): GM Crops Do Not Prevent World Hunger— That the Parliament congratulates the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD), the agricultural equivalent of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, for concluding that data on a range of genetically modified crops indicate highly variable yields, greater in some places and less in others; notes the reluctance of the IAASTD to rule out GM crops in future, but that it rightly concludes that if the multi-million pound investment by corporations in transgenic research and development had been applied to improving conventional methods of local food production and distribution then the current world food crisis would have been more successfully addressed; applauds the overwhelming conclusion of IAASTD that small-scale farming and ecological methods provide the way forward to avert the current world food crisis, and therefore welcomes the UK Government’s approval of the IAASTD reports without reservation as confirmed in a written Commons statement by Douglas Alexander MP and encourages the Scottish and UK governments to mainstream the thrust of the IAASTD report in agricultural policy development.
Supported by: Jamie Hepburn, Kenneth Gibson, Dr Alasdair Allan, Stuart McMillan, Dave Thompson, Roseanna Cunningham, Bill Kidd, Bashir Ahmad, Alex Neil, Christina McKelvie, Brian Adam, Robin Harper, Gil Paterson
Lodged on Wednesday, June 11, 2008; Current
Immediate release
20/06/08
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has lambasted calls for GM crops to be grown in Scotland and claims that the Labour Party are in disarray over the issue.
Mr Gibson's words come in the wake of comments from a leading UK Government cabinet Minister that the UK should start growing GM crops.
However Mr Gibson said that the Government in Westminster was contradicting itself over the issue.
He pointed to a report from the Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) (the agricultural equivalent of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change) which concluded that GM crops were not the answer to world hunger. The report also concluded that the best way out of world hunger was by small-scale farming and ecological method.
This report was fully endorsed by the International Development Minister Douglas Alexander.
Earlier this month Mr Gibson lodged a motion in the Parliament supporting the reports findings and welcoming the endorsement from Douglas Alexander. However the motion has not been supported by one Labour MSP.
MR Gibson said..
"Nine days have passed since I lodged my motion congratulating Douglas Alexander for approving the contents of the IAASTD report yet not one Labour MSP seems to think that he did the right thing. The report shows that the variable results of GM yield offers no guarantee it can used as a tool to rid the world of hunger. Indeed the message of family farms and environmental methods has once again challenged Labour to get off the fence. Either they support the findings of the report as Mr Alexander or Gordon Brown's stance in Europe."
Mr Gibson went on to say that if the recent calls for mass production of GM crops in the UK were carried out it would tarnish Scotland's reputation for delivering healthy, clean and tasty produce and not deliver the benefits which the GM lobby claim...
"Pro GM hysteria whipped up by the UK Government has no scientific credibility and pits consumers against agribusiness. The Scottish Government's First National Food Policy sees no place for GM. It would cut across the image Scotland has of its food as the First Minister has said."
"In contrast the UK Labour government is urging Europe to open up the market for more GM maize and animal feed from abroad. This ignores the environmental damage to producer countries and diverts countries like Brazil and Argentina from growing conventional crops in a sustainable fashion. With feed prices soaring Scottish farmers have to ask themselves, can we produce more animal feed here? If we value quality and our customers certainly do, should we jeopardise our healthy food image with GM that the consumers reject?
He also warned that those who are joining in the rush for GM should tread very carefully….
"Our scientists and commentators must not reject the anti GM stance of the Scottish Government and consumers as anti-science. Outrageous claims are being made. For example the principal of the Scottish Agricultural College Bill McKelvey claimed 'it is up to society to decide which is the lesser of two evils; expensive food or GM crops'. These are not the options contained in the IAASTD report."
Rob Gibson also rejected the very notion that GM could produce food security in the world saying it was time for real research and science not knee jerk panicking and scaremongering….
"Since Douglas Alexander has endorsed the report's findings. It is time for a halt to wild claims for GM. Commentators need to dig deeper, indeed they need to review the plight of US farmers who cannot escape from GM crops. Wind blown seed has made GM endemic to many parts of USA. Meanwhile the multinational transgenic corporations cannot be allowed to trash the planet for their profit. And Scottish farmers cannot build food security here on the back of GM feed crops like soya grown abroad."
"The Scottish Government's 1st National Food policy provides an excellent backdrop to scotch the myths of GM and take a fair trade, fair deal approach for producers and consumers alike. Will UK Labour put up GM facts or just continue to scaremonger?"
ENDS
Note to Editor:
A copy of Rob's motion on the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development report on GM S3M-02125 Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish National Party): GM Crops Do Not Prevent World Hunger— That the Parliament congratulates the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD), the agricultural equivalent of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, for concluding that data on a range of genetically modified crops indicate highly variable yields, greater in some places and less in others; notes the reluctance of the IAASTD to rule out GM crops in future, but that it rightly concludes that if the multi-million pound investment by corporations in transgenic research and development had been applied to improving conventional methods of local food production and distribution then the current world food crisis would have been more successfully addressed; applauds the overwhelming conclusion of IAASTD that small-scale farming and ecological methods provide the way forward to avert the current world food crisis, and therefore welcomes the UK Government’s approval of the IAASTD reports without reservation as confirmed in a written Commons statement by Douglas Alexander MP and encourages the Scottish and UK governments to mainstream the thrust of the IAASTD report in agricultural policy development.
Supported by: Jamie Hepburn, Kenneth Gibson, Dr Alasdair Allan, Stuart McMillan, Dave Thompson, Roseanna Cunningham, Bill Kidd, Bashir Ahmad, Alex Neil, Christina McKelvie, Brian Adam, Robin Harper, Gil Paterson
Lodged on Wednesday, June 11, 2008; Current
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
Gibson congratulates Alness Academy on Secondary Highland First
News release
Immediate release
18/06/08
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has lodged a motion in parliament recognising the achievement of Alness Academy as being the first secondary school in the Highlands to receive the prestigious Green Flag Award from Eco Schools Scotland.
The school won the award for continuingly improving their environment by; reducing waste, litter as well as energy and water use, devising more efficient ways for students to travel to and from school, promoting healthy lifestyles and encouraging active citizenship not just in school but also in the wider community.
Mr Gibson (a former guidance and modern studies teacher at the school) said….
"This is an excellent achievement for Alness Academy and a great deal of credit has to go to the students and staff involved in the initiative. This award marks Alness Academy out as real environmental leader in the Highlands. It has set the standard I would say it is up for the other secondary schools in the region to catch them up."
"In the era of climate change Environmental issues are all the more relevant so it is important that students as young as possible are made aware of the issues and are encouraged to come up with their own ideas to improve their environment also that they can improve the wider one. This is what is happening in Alness and is to be highly commended."
ENDS
Note:
Copy of motion
S3M-02199 Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish National Party): Green Flag for Alness Academy — That the Parliament congratulates Alness Academy for being the first secondary school in the Highlands to receive the prestigious Green Flag award from Eco Schools Scotland, an international initiative accrediting schools that make a commitment to continuously improving their environmental performance; commends Alness Academy for improving its school environment and reducing litter and waste, as well as energy and water use, devising more efficient ways for students to travel to and from school, promoting healthy lifestyles and encouraging active citizenship of not only its students but also its larger community area, and notes finally that raising environmental awareness at the earliest ages in life is key to developing a large-scale change in citizens’ attitudes toward environmental management and their impact on the planet and, particularly, Alness Academy's home area of Easter Ross.
Immediate release
18/06/08
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has lodged a motion in parliament recognising the achievement of Alness Academy as being the first secondary school in the Highlands to receive the prestigious Green Flag Award from Eco Schools Scotland.
The school won the award for continuingly improving their environment by; reducing waste, litter as well as energy and water use, devising more efficient ways for students to travel to and from school, promoting healthy lifestyles and encouraging active citizenship not just in school but also in the wider community.
Mr Gibson (a former guidance and modern studies teacher at the school) said….
"This is an excellent achievement for Alness Academy and a great deal of credit has to go to the students and staff involved in the initiative. This award marks Alness Academy out as real environmental leader in the Highlands. It has set the standard I would say it is up for the other secondary schools in the region to catch them up."
"In the era of climate change Environmental issues are all the more relevant so it is important that students as young as possible are made aware of the issues and are encouraged to come up with their own ideas to improve their environment also that they can improve the wider one. This is what is happening in Alness and is to be highly commended."
ENDS
Note:
Copy of motion
S3M-02199 Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish National Party): Green Flag for Alness Academy — That the Parliament congratulates Alness Academy for being the first secondary school in the Highlands to receive the prestigious Green Flag award from Eco Schools Scotland, an international initiative accrediting schools that make a commitment to continuously improving their environmental performance; commends Alness Academy for improving its school environment and reducing litter and waste, as well as energy and water use, devising more efficient ways for students to travel to and from school, promoting healthy lifestyles and encouraging active citizenship of not only its students but also its larger community area, and notes finally that raising environmental awareness at the earliest ages in life is key to developing a large-scale change in citizens’ attitudes toward environmental management and their impact on the planet and, particularly, Alness Academy's home area of Easter Ross.
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
Gibson welcomes fuel efficacy for fishing fleet
News release
Immediate release
17/06/08
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed the creation of an expert group to look into the fuel efficacy for the fishing fleet.
The announcement came from Rural Secretary Richard Lochead. The group (to be called Fuel Efficiency Expert Group) will be headed up by director of Seafish Paul Williams and will report initial findings to the fuel taskforce within three weeks.
Mr Gibson said…
"The formation of the Fuel Efficiency Expert Group comes at a critical moment for fishermen throughout the whole of Scotland. Having met with fishing leaders and those in the industry in recent weeks I am acutely aware of the ridiculous amounts that fishing people are having to pay for fuel. When it comes to some loosing half of their profits for fuel then it is getting critical."
"That is why any action to assess where fuel can be saved by experts is of the up most of importance. I am happy to see that the Government in Scotland which, unlike the Westminster Government, is not benefiting from the Billions of Oil revenues flowing in form the North Sea are willing to put money into ways to save the fishing fleet money. It shows a commitment to them which simply doesn't exist at the UK level."
"Fishermen are in the difficult position of not being able to pass their extra fuel costs onto to anyone. Therefore any way in which they could save money will benefit them and the many jobs associated with the industry."
Mr Gibson added, "I will ensure that the voices of the Highlands and Islands are fully heard in the task force's work."
ENDS
Immediate release
17/06/08
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed the creation of an expert group to look into the fuel efficacy for the fishing fleet.
The announcement came from Rural Secretary Richard Lochead. The group (to be called Fuel Efficiency Expert Group) will be headed up by director of Seafish Paul Williams and will report initial findings to the fuel taskforce within three weeks.
Mr Gibson said…
"The formation of the Fuel Efficiency Expert Group comes at a critical moment for fishermen throughout the whole of Scotland. Having met with fishing leaders and those in the industry in recent weeks I am acutely aware of the ridiculous amounts that fishing people are having to pay for fuel. When it comes to some loosing half of their profits for fuel then it is getting critical."
"That is why any action to assess where fuel can be saved by experts is of the up most of importance. I am happy to see that the Government in Scotland which, unlike the Westminster Government, is not benefiting from the Billions of Oil revenues flowing in form the North Sea are willing to put money into ways to save the fishing fleet money. It shows a commitment to them which simply doesn't exist at the UK level."
"Fishermen are in the difficult position of not being able to pass their extra fuel costs onto to anyone. Therefore any way in which they could save money will benefit them and the many jobs associated with the industry."
Mr Gibson added, "I will ensure that the voices of the Highlands and Islands are fully heard in the task force's work."
ENDS
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