February 2008

Constituency Two of the most enjoyable events this month were the visit to King’s Oak Primary School where P6 pupils quizzed me about my role as the local MP; and my stint as a judge at the local schools’ debating championship in St Columba’s High School. February also saw me meet with Inverclyde Council’s Director of Regeneration and Resources to lobby support for the Gourock Transport Interchange, so vital to the regeneration of the town. Earlier in the month I was a top table guest at the local Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner where I had a chance to talk to local business people about the future investment in the area. Surgeries This month I held surgeries in the Parliamentary Office, Boglestone Community Centre, Gourock Library and the Salvation Army premises in Regent Street. Scotland Office In the House of Commons this month I was busy with the Statutory Instrument on Absent Voters aimed at improving the security of the ballot. I also attended a shipping dinner, visited a Digital UK call centre and an asylum seekers’ support project in Glasgow. Additionally, I had meetings with the Head of Immigration Services, the Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables and the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. I spoke at the UK Sub-Sea Conference in Aberdeen, went to an Ofgem reception and helped with the Scottish launch the UK Government’s National Minimum Wage tour bus campaign.