| I have set out
some of the key meetings which I attended below. In addition to these meetings, I have weekly surgeries and numerous meetings with organisations and people within the constituency. I meet constituents when they visit Parliament and I attend Scotland Office, Ministerial and Labour Party meetings.
July 2010
Oil and Gas UK organised a
meeting to launch their Economic Report, which I attended.
BBC Radio 4 are producing a
programme on the Piper Alpha accident. I was
interviewed for this programme.
The All Party Parliamentary
Fisheries Group needed to be re-established, after the
General Election. I was elected at the AGM to continue as
Secretary of this Group. The Minister for Fisheries spoke
at this meeting also.
Dancing on Parliament event was
produced by English National Ballet, the West London Hub for
Big Dance, the T-mobile Big Dance Bus, Dance UK, Westminster
City Council and supported by Harlequin. An old red London
Routemaster bus came to Westminster, with a stage for
performers. I went along to show my interest in dance and to
support these organisations. (See the photo on the
'News' page).
The Big Lottery held a
meeting in Westminster to update Scottish MPs about the funding
that would be available to Scottish Constituencies, which I
attended.
I sent a submission to the Treasury, putting the case for
continuance of support for dance.
June 2010
I attended the annual GMB
conference in Southport.
Globe (the international
legislators organisation) arranged a presentation of 'Marine
Ecosystems Recovery Strategy' at the 'World Oceans Day'
meeting in Westminster. As the MP for Aberdeen North and
as Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Fisheries Group this
was of interest to me.
I hosted the reception, which the
TUC organised for newly elected MPs.
I met with the General Secretary of the
STUC, Grahame Smith, to discuss issues in Westminster
that are of interest to the STUC.
As Secretary of the All Party
Parliamentary Dance Group I organised the AGM, which is
essential to ensure this Group continues the good work it has
done these last few years. The Minister for Culture, Media
and Sport attended this meeting.
It was the Emergency Budget on 22 June,
which was followed by several debates in the Chamber.
The Subsea UK industry reception
was on Wednesday 30 June. This has become an annual event,
which I host. Both the Secretary of State and the Energy
Minister attended and spoke at this event. With some
40,000 employees, over £4 billion worth of services and products
and over 800 companies, the UK subsea industry sector, based in
Aberdeen, leads the world in experience, innovation and
technology. (See the photos on the
'News' page)
May 2010
I was re-elected to represent the
Aberdeen North constituency on 6th May.
Once back in Westminster I arranged
meetings with the GMB union, to re-establish the GMB Group of
Labour MPs, and also with the TUC.
April 2010 and May 2010
Easter Recess in Westminster was followed by campaigning in Aberdeen
up until the General Election
on 6th May.
March 2010
All Party Parliamentary Fisheries meeting with GLOBE (the
international legislators organisation): as Secretary of the
Group I arranged the first meeting where GLOBE had the
opportunity to update MPs on sustainable fishing. This
progressed to some further meetings in Westminster and in
Brussels, where legislators agreed the Global Marine Recovery
Strategy. See the latest
here...
February 2010
Law Mooting Society from Aberdeen University visit Westminster
every year. We arranged a tour for the group of students
and then we have a question and answer session.
Aberdeen College were winners of the
Edexcel award for Lifelong Learning. I met with the
winning students in Westminster.
Union Terrace Gardens: I arranged a Public meeting in The
Citadel in Aberdeen.
Longannet Power Station visit: Oil and Gas UK arranged for us to
visit the Carbon Capture Storage (CCS) site. See further
details
here...
January 2010
Parliamentary Education launch of 'MP
for a week': I assisted in the preparation for this event
and attended the meeting.
Wildlife Trusts' Living Seas Vision Launch: I attended the
launch in Westminster.
CWU Lobby of Parliament: I supported the Royal Mail workers
who lobbied Westminster.
Burns Supper: I attended the
National Grid event.
December 2009
Fisheries debate on 1st December:
this is the annual debate in Westminster when MPs
draw attention to issues of concern for the fisheries industry.
Oil & Gas Energy Meeting in London.
Remploy Open Day in Aberdeen: celebrating International year
of the disabled.
I organised and attended the WWF briefing on the EU Common
Fisheries Policy (CFP).
I met with the Head of Campaign from Digital Radio regarding
the Digital Bill.
I attended the Professional Contractors Group (PCG) meeting
in the House of Commons, as this group has many interests in
Aberdeen.
November 2009
Meeting with the Director of Broadcasting in Parliament, in
my role as Chair of the Administration Committee.
Foyer Group meeting in the House of Commons - this is part of
the Aberdeen Foyer charity which works to prevent and alleviate
youth homelessness and unemployment.
Several street surgeries in my constituency in addition to the
normal Friday surgery in my office.
I organised and attended the All Party Fisheries Group meeting
where the Scottish Fishermens' Federation (SSF) and the National
Fishermen Federation Organisation (NFFO) gave briefings ahead of
the fisheries debate (see above).
I attended the Aberdeen Grampian Chamber of Commerce dinner in
Greenwich.
I attended several meetings when Ed Milliband, Secretary of
State for Energy and Climate Change visited Aberdeen.
October 2009
Meeting with residents of Rosewell Gardens sheltered housing on 16th October
Renewable Energy Group meeting in Aberdeen
Subsea UK meeting in Aberdeen
Launch of DanceLive 2009 at the Lemon Tree
National League for the Blind meetings
Several tours arranged for constituents visiting the House of Commons, I met with some visitors.
North Sea Health and Safety debate in the House of Commons. I led this debate on 13 October
CWU Mail Workers lobby in Westminster
Marine and Coastal Access Bill: - As secretary I organised & attended several meetings with the All
September 2009
Offshore Europe Conference: I attended and also arranged meetings in Aberdeen with the Secretary of State for Scotland
Subsea UK meeting
St Machar Academy meeting
Riverbank Primary School meeting
Aberdeen Art Gallery Exhibition
Meeting in Aberdeen regarding compensation for fishermen
Meetings with residents in Kingswood
Court, Clifton Court and Smithfield Court
Sheltered housing meetings
Northfield Academy meeting
Aberdeen University Fresher Fair
August 2009
Remploy factory: meeting to discuss progress of factory in Aberdeen
Meetings with residents in sheltered housing in the constituency
Street Surgeries Beach Boulevard public meeting
Northfield Community Day Meeting with BAA
July 2009
Scottish MPs regular meeting
All Party Parliamentary Fisheries Group Meeting with the Minister
Sheltered Housing meetings in the constituency
Street Surgeries
June 2009
Big Ben 150th Anniversary
Carers Week event in Aberdeen
Armed Forces Day Reception
Remploy in Barking
Subsea Reception hosted in Westminster
May 2009
Equality Bill Session
Oil and Gas Helicopter Safety Briefing
Hamish Macdonnell's book launch: Unchartered Territory-the story of Scottish Devolution 1999-2009
British Armed Forces Federation reception
All Energy 09 Exhibition
April 2009
Meeting regarding Trawlermen Compensation Scheme
Radio Interviews Scotland Live broadcast
Memorial Service for the North East Helicopter Tragedy
Calman Commission evidence session
March 2009
Welfare Reform Bill
Scottish Conference
25th Anniversary of the Miners Strike
Launch event – Coalition for the establishment of a Post Bank
NUJ meeting, Future of Local News under Threat
February 2009
Radio interview with Frank Gilfeather regarding Anti Social Behaviour
Meeting regarding the Gaming Machine Industry
January 2009
Labour Friends of Palestine Community Reception at No 10 Downing Street with constituent
Burns 250th Anniversary reception
Opening of OPITO Oil and Gas Academy in Aberdeen
Coroner and Justice Bill meetings
December 2008
Mental Health annual general meeting
Communication Workers Union lobby of Parliament
Big Ben 150th anniversary launch
School outreach meeting with various MPs
November 2008
John Prescott in Aberdeen, various meetings
Fire Brigade Union lobby of Parliament
BP Portrait Award viewing
October 2008
Scottish Wildlife Trust: Celebrating 100 Living Landscapes
Breast Cancer campaign at Parliament
Event: Revolutionising Public Transport
Justice for Columbia meeting in Westminster
10th Anniversary of BBC Parliament
National Pensioners Convention to Parliament
Launch of Parliaments new Education website
Meeting with the Icelandic Ambassador
September 2008
Meetings with voluntary groups
Visits to Sheltered Housing
Complexes Meeting with Council officials
August 2008
Meeting regarding the 3rd Don Crossing
Visits to Sheltered Housing complexes
Community Events
Meeting with Business officials
July 2008
Adjournment debate, Piper Alpha 20th Anniversary
Meeting with Unions
June 2008
Meeting with Jack Straw regarding Prison Officials
Meeting with the National Deaf Children’s Society
Meeting regarding Trawlermen Compensation
Lemon Tree Re-Opening
Equality Representation Conference
May 2008
Association of Colleges Beacon Awards
Second reading of my Offshore Oil and Gas Health and Safety Bill
Briefing regarding Equal Pay and the Equalities Act
Olympic and Paralympics Group Conference
April 2008
Equality and Human Rights Commission Scotland Reception
TULO Steering Group on temporary agency workers
March 2008
All Party Group Guide to Disability
Offshore Oil and Gas Industry: Sustainable Development and the Marine Bill
Meeting with the Home Secretary regarding the Counter Terrorism Bill
Meeting regarding the Equalities Commission
February 2008
Meeting with Unions on Agency Workers
Fair Pay Network event
January 2008
Official opening of Aberdeen Benefit Delivery Centre
Veterans Day Reception
Holocaust Memorial Day – special commemorative event |
