Ferry questions that need detailed answers

For immediate release

30 April 2010

Rob Gibson SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands has lodged a series of questions at Holyrood on the costs of running Northlink ferries.

Stocks of the new book 'Pentland Hero' by Roy N Pedersen have sold out in the first print run. It raises major questions about many aspects of ferry contracts and competition to serve these islands.

Rob said,

"Since an in-depth ferries review is due from the Scottish Ministers it imperative that we know as much about the costs of ferry services as possible. I have been acutely aware of the superficial claims made in the wake of the Iceland volcano ash crisis about the uses made of the 'Hamnavoe'. Orkney citizens and those in Shetland and the Western Isles need to know that truly lifeline ferries can be delivered at reasonable costs.

"Roy Pedersen's book notes that a Private Finance Initiative arrangement was struck by the LibDem/Labour Executive in 2002. I'm sure that this contract to lease the three Northlink ferries which runs to 2015 is the starting point for some forensic analysis. I'm more attracted to sort out our ferries, than to shout 'hands off'. I'm sure most Orcadians will feel the same."

ENDS

Written Questions lodged Thursday 30th April:

S3W-33471 Rob Gibson: To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual costs are of leasing the three ships in the Northlink fleet which commenced in 2002.

S3W-33472 Rob Gibson: To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual cost of bunker fuel has been in each year from April 2003 for the three ships in the Northlink fleet.

S3W-33473 Rob Gibson: To ask the Scottish Executive whether the quality of oil burned by the three ships in the Northlink fleet has ever changed since 2003.

S3W-33474 Rob Gibson: To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual figures are for (a) passengers, (b) cars and (c) commercial vehicles carried on each ship in the Northlink fleet since April 2003.

S3W-33475 Rob Gibson: To ask the Scottish Executive on how many days have the Scrabster to Stromness and the Stromness to Scrabster services been interrupted by adverse weather conditions in each year since April 2003.

S3W-33476 Rob Gibson: To ask the Scottish Executive on how many days have the Aberdeen to Lerwick service and the Lerwick to Aberdeen services been interrupted by adverse weather conditions in each year since April 2003.

S3W-33477 Rob Gibson: To ask the Scottish Executive how many times has the scheduled call at Kirkwall in the Aberdeen to Lerwick Northlink service and the Lerwick to Aberdeen service been abandoned since April 2003.

LOW PAID WORKERS HAVE BEEN LET DOWN BY LABOUR

For immediate use: Thursday 29 April 2010
Attention: Newsdesks/Political correspondents


The SNP has exposed Scottish Labour's hypocrisy on low pay, following a debate on a Green Party motion in the Scottish Parliament today.


Rob Gibson, SNP MSP for Highland and Islands, who spoke in the debate, said:


"In Parliament today, Labour tried their usual smoke and mirrors attempt to distract from their own culpability on the issue of poverty pay.

"As they well know, the Scottish Government has no locus on private sector pay, which is reserved to Westminster - and which the Labour/Tory/Lib Dem Calman Commission would not devolve to Scotland. The SNP government has taken significant steps to improve public sector pay levels within the powers available to it, but without control over both private sector pay and the tax and benefits system, any Scottish administration is powerless to raise the take-home pay of the lowest paid workers, such as the majority of those in the hotel and restaurant sector.

"The SNP has commended the efforts of, for example, Glasgow City Council to set a minimum living wage of £7 an hour for its staff, but the fact that they have had to do so exposes the inadequacy of the minimum wage set by Labour at Westminster. Had Labour index-linked the minimum wage to earnings from the beginning, the rate would not have fallen so far behind the level that can be decently described as a living wage today.

"The SNP is fully committed to tackling poverty and income inequality and to making work pay. If Labour in Scotland are genuinely committed to the same, they should join with the SNP in demanding that the levers of power to address poverty pay are devolved to the Scottish government as soon as possible. Until they do, they will continue to let Scotland's lowest paid workers down."

ENDS

Fuel shortage explained

News release
Immediate release
29/04/10


Fuel shortages that have plagued parts of Caithness and the North this week are set to end.


After being contacted by concerned constituents regarding the lack of petrol and diesel Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson contacted Energy Minister Jim Mather.


Mr Mather responded that the reason for the shortages were caused due to these reasons.


An unexpected shipping delay led to a stock out of fuel in Inverness early on the 28th of April. In that situation other suppliers (such as Simpson's oils) step in to help shore up the supply. However the supplier was having its own shipping vessel refitted.


The problem was exacerbated by essential maintenance at the Aberdeen terminal.


However the terminal at Inverness was restocked on the evening of the 28th April which allowed fuel companies to stock up and re-supply the North of Scotland.


Mr Mather said his office would monitor the situation until it returned to normal.


Mr Gibson said…


"I was contacted regarding this issue from concerned constituents Caithness. I right away contacted the Minister responsible who responded to me in very quick time. It is good news that the situation is well on it's way to be sorted.


"I understand that many people in Caithness were concerned regarding the fuel drought. My thanks go to Jim Mather who managed to shed light on what had been going on."


ENDS


NOTE


Letter from Jim Mather to Rob Gibson read:

************
29 April 2010

Dear Rob,

Thank you for your email regarding fuel disruption in around Caithness. My officials have been in contact with the Aberdeen and Inverness terminals and the other major suppliers in the area.

An unexpected shipping delay lead to Inverness terminal stocking out of gasoline on early on the 28th April. Given the 'just in time' nature of the fuel industry, this quickly lead to some stock outs at filling stations, including some of those around Caithness.

Shipping delays are relatively common and would not usually result in disruption as other suppliers, such as Simpson Oils, are usually able step in to fill any shortfall from their own surplus fuel stocks. However, Simpson Oil's are currently operating with a reduced surplus as their main shipping vessel, which is used to replenish their own supplies, is undergoing a refit.

The situation was also exacerbated by the fact that Aberdeen terminal was in the middle a planned stockout. Several such stockouts are scheduled every year, at traditionally quiet times, to allow routine tank maintenance to be carried out. Aberdeen terminal was restocked on the afternoon of 28th April and deliveries have resumed.


The Inverness terminal was restocked on the evening of the 28th April, when the delayed supply vessel docked and the various fuel distribution companies are once again able collect fuel from the terminal for distribution across Northern Scotland.

My officials will continue to monitor the situation with the industry and UK Government until the situation is returns to normal.

Yours sincerely,
Jim Mather

******************

HISTORIC RECOGNITION FOR SCOTS LANGUAGE IN CENSUS

For immediate use: Wednesday 28 April 2010

Attn: NEWSDESKS
POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS

Rob Gibson MSP has welcomed today's unanimous passage of the Census Order by the Scottish Parliament, with its historic inclusion of a question for speakers of the Scots tongue.

Mr Gibson, SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands, said:

"The work of many members of the Cross Party Group for Scots over eight years has led to the trial and inclusion of a question on Scots in the Scottish Census, due in March 2011. Alongside English and Scottish Gaelic, Scots speakers will have a chance to answer tick boxes for Q 16 - which can you do? Understand, Speak, Read, Write, or none of these.

"Scots, the tongue of Robert Burns, has dialects that span Shetland, Orkney, Caithness, Moray and all the way through Aberdeenshire and central Scotland to the Borders and far South West. Many Scots don't realise that's what they speak. Between now and the census next year a profile of the local versions of Scots tongue will have to be made very public. We look to the Registrar General to fund this information campaign.

"The SNP welcomes this historic recognition for the Scots tongue by its place in the census. We hope all parties in the Parliament will help to get the question fully answered."

ENDS

Notes:

More information about the Scots language can be found at http://www.scotslanguage.com/

Gibson welcomes SFT investment in Tain

News release
Immediate release
27/04/10

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed investment from the Scottish Government for the people of Tain and surrounding area.

MR Gibson was speaking after a debate on the Scottish Economy. He pointed out over 1 million pounds from the Scottish Futures trust will be put towards a new health centre in Tain.

Mr Gibson said that the Scottish Futures Trust was a safe bet with tax payers…

"The SFT is replacing the discredited Public private partnership so Favoured by the previous Liberal Democrat and Labour administration which has left large debts for councils, health boards and others to pay off."

"The announcement means that new jobs will be created when the centre is built as well as establishing a new centre for the area. Along with the news of a new Asda then it is a very good time for employment in Tain.

"I am glad that the Scottish Futures trust has been favoured by the SNP Government which will deliver quality services to the public without leaving a massive debt for the future."

" A new health centre in Tain will make a welcome addition to the town as well as those in and around it. Continued investment for the future which is debt free is something to be celebrated."

ENDS

Gibson welcomes new community centre for Pulteneytown

News release
Immediate release
27/04/10

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed news that Pulteneytown People's Project hope to start work on a new community centre this summer.

Mr Gibson was speaking after it became it was announced that PPP hope to start work on the £4 million site in July.

A supporter of the centre Mr Gibson said...

"This is great news for Pulteneytown, Wick and Caithness. The establishment of a centre which will cater for groups of all ages and interests and will be a real community assets."

"Great Credit has to go to PPP and the people behind it Katrina McNab and others have helped develop a community organisation which has led to positive difference in the area. This type of community project is one that has proven to be successful and I am sure the new centre will act as a catalyst for further improvement."

"Housing all the services under one roof makes sense. A new public centre is something that will be exciting for the area and county."

ENDS

ARCTIC CONVOY VETERANS HONOURED

For immediate use: Friday 23 April 2010

Attention: Newsdesks

Thirty Scots veterans of the Russian Arctic Convoy were presented with medals in a ceremony today.

The medals, marking 65 years since the end of World War II, were presented by Consul General of the Russian Federation, Sergey Krutikov. The Russian Arctic Convoy sailed from Orkney during the war to take vital supplies and munitions to Russia. 104 Merchant ships, 20 Royal Navy ships, a submarine and two armed whalers were lost during the operation.

Rob Gibson MSP, who represented the Scottish Government and Parliament at the ceremony, praised the Russian Federation's presentation of medals to the Arctic convoy veterans.

SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands Mr Gibson said:

"The presentation of medals by the Russian Federation Consul General to veterans of the Arctic convoys in WW2 was a poignant event. It recalls the few who survive today of the brave men of the navy and merchant service who sailed into the teeth of war in all its fury on the most dangerous convoys of the war.

"These brave men delivered the war materials for Russia to defeat Fascism along with the western allies. Today we are building new friendships and economic relations with Russia on the basis of solidarity in past crises. Russia greatly values its veterans, so do we in Scotland."

ENDS