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I have set out below some of my key meetings . In addition to these meetings, I have weekly surgeries and numerous meetings with organisations and people
in my constituency. I
also meet constituents when they visit Westminster and I attend
the Scotland Office, Ministerial and Labour Party meetings
in London. I am Chair of the Advisory
Committee on Works
of Art and also I am the Labour member on the
House of Commons
Commission in Westminster and therefore I need to attend their
regular meetings.
November 2011
- National Social
Entreprise Day 2011 took place this year on Thursday 17
November. I visited the Remploy factory where an Open Day
was held to raise awareness of the work they do.
October 2011
- Volunteer in a
Barnardo's shop, Saturday 28 October. This year for
'Make a difference Day' I spent a few hours as a volunteer in
one of my local Barnardo shops.
- Energy Action
Scotland (EAS). I visited Catherine Street Community
Centre on Friday 7 October to hear about the new energy
efficient heating system that had been installed through EAS
working with ExxonMobil. I met representatives of some of
the groups that use the centre who explained that the previous
heating system was very old and inefficent. The
improvement of the energy efficiency in the centre has brought
benefits to all the users. See the photo
here...
- Question Time Event
in Portlethen. I was very happy to be invited to be a
member of the panel of Labour politicians at a 'Question Time'
style discussion at the Jubilee Hall, Portlethen on Friday
October 2011. Residents from Portlethen and surrounding
areas provided a wide range of questions, covering both local
and national issues, resulting in an interesting and thought
provoking evening.
September 2011
- I attended the
TUC Congress in London.
- I arranged for Paul
Kenny, General Secretary of GMB, to meet MPs in his new role as
Chair of Trade Union Liaison Organisation (TULO).
July/August 2011
- I organised and
spoke at the Unions 21 launch event for their publication
'Updating Union Image'
- I met with Remploy in
Westminster, to discuss the factory in Aberdeen.
- As Secretary of the All
Party Parliamentary Fisheries Group, I arranged and attended the
AGM of the Fisheries Group in Westminster.
- In Westminster, I
attended the meeting on the Cultural Olympiad, see
here...
- I visited Hamewith
Lodge, the Southern Cross Nursing Home in my constituency.
- I organised
several street surgeries in my constituency and also a
pensioners steering group in my office.
- I arranged a meeting
regarding the Coastguards.
- I visited residents in
Persley Castle Care Home in Mugiemoss Road
June 2011
- I attended the
Association of Colleges (AOC) Gold Awards 2011 ceremony in
Westminster. The awards are given to a number of former
further education students who have since gone on to excel in
their chosen field or profession. I met with Rob Wallen,
Principal, and Pat Cromer and Jim Gardiner, 2 lecturers, from
Aberdeen College prior to the presentation.
- As part of the
Seafarer's Awareness Week, the pelagic trawler 'Lunar Bow' was
moored alongside HMS Belfast on the Thames. I visited the
boat with MPs from the All Party Fisheries Group.
- As Secretary of the GMB
Union Group of MPs I chaired the meeting organised to update the
MPs on the Southern Cross Healthcare crisis.
- I organised the AGM of
the All Party Parliamentary Dance Group, where I was again
elected as the Secretary of the Group.
- As Chair of the Works of
Art Committee I spoke at the Works of Art/Goldsmiths Reception
in Westminster, which marked the completion of the
"Granted Access" project.
- I met with a number of
constituents who were concerned about the Government's NHS
Reforms.
- I went to the Skene
Square primary school in my constituency to encourage the school
pupils to participate in the 'Send
my Sister to School' project.
- I attended the Gray's
Degree Show at Robert Gordon University.
- I spoke to the Law
students at Aberdeen University at their 'So you want to be a
lawyer' event. This event is organised by Reach Scotland,
which is a national project funded by the Scottish Funding
Council, which aims to increase access to high demand
professional areas.
May 2011
- I met many constituents
who visited Westminster, either for the tour of the Houses of
Parliament or the tour of Big Ben or to attend Prime Minster's
questions time.
- I met with my
constituent Amanda Burt who travelled from Aberdeen to attend
the Spending Cuts and Disabled People Lobby, which was organised
by RNIB.
- I attended the Oil & Gas
All Party Parliamentary Group meeting regarding the implications
of the Finance Bill for North Sea Oil and Gas.
- I arranged for GMB
officers to brief MPs on the pensions cuts proposed by the
Government
April 2011
In Aberdeen:
- Offshore Safety Awards ceremony
was held in the Mercure Ardoe House Hotel.
- The Scottish Affairs Committee
from Westminster launched their inquiry into the Health & Safety
system in Scotland from the T&G Offices in Aberdeen.
In Westminster:
- I spoke in the Finance Bill Second
Reading, as I am opposed to the changes the Chancellor has made
to the taxation on North Sea Oil and Gas. See the debate
here..
- I met with the Governor of Western
Australia, as this region is growing in importance for the North
Sea oil and gas industry and many Aberdeen-based companies have
set up in the region.
- I sat on the Delegated Legislation
Committee: Draft Charities (Pre-Consolidation Amends) Order
2011.
- Trawlermen's Pensions: I met with
the investigator from the Parliamentary and Health Service
Ombudsman.
March 2011
in Aberdeen:
- I met with the PCS union regarding
the Coastguard station.
- I attended the Sheltered Housing
representatives steering group meeting.
- I met with one of the students form
Robert Gordon College to assist with their dissertation research.
I also met with the Head Teacher and one of the pupils of St
Machar Academy and Aberdeen University.
- I visited Taransay Court where I met
with the Chair of the residents association.
- I attended the Launch reception of
the
North East Sensory Services (previously Grampian Society for
the Blind) which was held in the Marcliffe
Hotel.
- the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group
came to a meeting in my constituency office.
- I met with the new appointed Chief
Executive and senior officers of Aberdeen City Council.
- I attended the Festival of Colours
HOLI in Westhill.
in Westminster:
- I sat on the Fifth Delegated
Legislative Committee which considered Draft Offshore Petro
Activities (Oil Pollution Prevention and Control) Regulations.
- Set for Britain is a major
scientific, engineering and technology (SET) competition and
exhibition in Parliament. I met with several students from
Aberdeen University who were selected to exhibit in the Terrace
in Westminster.
- I arranged a tour for the Aberdeen
University United Nations Youth and Students Association and met
the students afterwards.
- I attended the TUC/NHS reception
which was organised to lobby against the Government's cuts to
the NHS.
February 2011
in Aberdeen:
- I met with Graham Findlay of the
North East Sensory Services (previously Grampian Society for
the Blind).
- also I met with CLAN the
charity which helps those affected by cancer.
- I attended the launch of the book 'Black and Green Gold'
which was published by the
Balmoral Group. The book celebrates the achievements of
the people in the oil industry in the north of Scotland and
considers Aberdeen's future position in the global sector.
- I organised a further public meeting
regarding the anti-social behaviour on the Beach
Boulevard.
in Westminster:
- I organised a tour and met students
from both Aberdeen University Mooting and Politics/International
Societies.
- I attended Remploy briefings
organised by the GMB union.
- I attended the TUC UnionLearn
Reception and hosted the 'Why Join a Union' book launch meeting.
- I held meetings where I met residents
at sheltered housing homes at Lewis and Kingswood Courts.
January 2011
In Aberdeen:
- I met with Trade Union Officers for
our regular meeting, and with the PCS union with regard to the
closure of the Passport Office and also I met with the Remploy
Aberdeen manager.
- I supported the homeless charity
Shelter in their campaign outside M&S.
- I attended the tribute event
organised to celebrate the life of Annie Inglis, who dedicated
her life to drama in Aberdeen and who founded the Aberdeen Arts
Centre.
- My colleague Anne Begg and I met with
Maersk, who are one of the largest shipowners in the UK.
In Westminster:
- I attended the British Airways,
Unions 21, UK Offshore Oil & Gas Industry and the National
Grid Burns Parliamentary Reception.
- I hosted the STUC reception when the
General Secretary and officials came down to meet with my
Scottish colleagues in the Trade Union Group of Labour MPs and
also the Unions 21 seminar 'Image of Unions' where all key
unions were represented.
December 2010
Postal Services Bill: Rally and
Lobby of Parliament. I met with one of my constituents
to show my support for the postal workers of Aberdeen.
Remploy: I visited the factory
in St Machar Road, Aberdeen.
Works of Art Committee: I have
been appointed as Chair of this Advisory Group, which has
responsibility for the works of art in Westminster. I
Chaired the first meeting on Tuesday 7th December.
Fisheries Debate: I spoke in
Westminster Hall during this annual debate, see
here...
I attended the World Aids Day
Reception in London on 1st December.
November 2010
Times Higher Awards: Aberdeen
University was shortlisted for the Excellence and Innovation in
the Arts award. I attended the ceremony in London.
Fisheries: As Secretary of the
All Party Parliamentary Fisheries Group I arranged for
WWF and Globe
to brief the Group on the Common Fisheries Policy.
Firefighter Rally and Lobby of
Westminster: I met with a constituent from Aberdeen to
support this lobby of Parliament.
Future Choices: in Aberdeen gives disabled and able-bodied
people choices for their future together. I attended their
fund raising event on 13th November.
All Party Parliamentary Dance Group:
As Secretary of this Group, which supports dance
across the UK, I organised the attendance of the Group at the
Rambert's Dance Company evening in Sadler's Wells theatre in
London.
Aberdeen College Awards Ceremony:
I attended these awards at the Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen.
October 2010
I attended the reception to launch
DanceLive in the Lemon Tree in Aberdeen.
Lawful Industrial Action (Minor
Errors) Bill's Second Reading was on Friday 22 October.
As an original sponsor of this Private Member's Bill, I stayed
in Westminster for the vote. Unfortunately, as there were
fewer than 100 MPs, the Bill was not passed.
Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association: I arranged for
this Group to meet with the All Party Parliamentary Fisheries
Group.
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 |
