July 2007

Scotland Office This month I was busy in Parliament putting forward two Draft Orders for Scotland; one on the recent Scottish Parliamentary Election and the other to devolve more power to the Scottish Executive. Additionally, I attended the quadrilateral Finance Ministers’ meeting, gave evidence to the Scottish Affairs Committee and answered questions on the digital switchover and employment at Scottish Questions. I also attended meetings on security and terrorism and on migration. Among the many meeting I had, were ones with the Scottish Consumer Council and with Digital UK. There were also several receptions for the BBC, Scottish peers and the Highlands and Islands. Constituency Although July is traditionally the holiday period in Scotland, I found that there was still a considerable demand from constituents for surgeries. There were several surgeries in my Parliamentary Office, which were fully subscribed, as well as some very well attended ones in the Gourock Library, Boglestone Community Centre in Port Glasgow and the Kilmacolm Community Centre. I also went along to the Auchmountain Community Resource Centre to promote the installation of a fee-free cash machine so that local residents can get access to their money without having to pay hefty charges.