| I have set out
some of the key meetings from my diary below. In addition to these meetings, I have weekly surgeries and numerous meetings with organisations and people within the constituency. I also attend various meetings in Parliament connected with the Committees I sit on, I meet constituents when they visit Parliament and I attend Scotland Office, Ministerial and Labour Party meetings.
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 |
