January 2010

25.1.2010 13:46
THALIDOMIDE TRUST PRAISE CAIRNS FOR “PROMPT INTERVENTION” IN SECURING ADDITIONAL CASH
The Deputy Chairman on the Thalidomide Trust, Mr Nick Dobrik has singled out Inverclyde MP David Cairns for thanks following the announcement of additional money in Scotland for thalidomide victims. The SNP Government announced that it will donate around £3 million to the Thalidomide Trust to help Scottish victims of the drug lead healthier, more independent lives. The offer only came after an announcement by the UK Government to donate £20 million to the Trust for Thalidomiders in England, and hot on the heels of pressure by local Labour, MP David Cairns, to make sure that Scottish Thalidomiders didn’t miss out.  

22.1.2010 15:00
PRISONERS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO VOTE
Local MP David Cairns is opposing moves to allow prisoners such as those in Greenock Prison to be allowed to vote in the forthcoming General Election. Historically, prisoners have been prevented from voting since the Forfeiture Act of 1870, but in 2004 a convicted murderer claimed that his human rights had been breached and the European Court ruled in his favour. Now the UK Government may be forced by this ruling to change the law but David is supporting a parliamentary move to oppose the change.  

18.1.2010 14:59
SCOTS MUST NOT LOSE OUT ON ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THALIDOMIDE VICTIMS
UK Health Minister, Mike O’Brien MP has announced a new £20 million funding package to help hundreds of people who were victims of the Thalidomide drug in the late 1950s and early 1960’s. The move was welcomed in the House of Commons by Inverclyde Labour MP, David Cairns, who has been campaigning for Thalidomide victims to get better compensation. David has taken up the case of thalidomiders with both the UK Government and the German company who originally developed the drug, and he also met with the Thalidomide Trust to support their campaign for more resources to be made available to those affected by the drug. It is believed that there are two Thalidomide victims in Inverclyde.  

18.1.2010 13:49
TALKING BUSES WOULD HELP DISABLED GET AROUND INVERCLYDE
Most of us take our bus journeys for granted but for many blind and disabled people working out what stop to get off at can be difficult. That’s something that the Guide Dogs charity are campaigning to change and local Labour MP, David Cairns, has shown his support for their cause by signing a parliamentary motion calling for all new buses to be fitted with audio visual information systems.  

14.1.2010 15:31
CAIRNS SLAMS IBM’S “SHODDY MOVE” IN COMMONS DEBATE ON PENSION SCHEME
Inverclyde MP David Cairns has strongly condemned IBM’s treatment of its workforce during a heated debate in the House of Commons. IBM has forced many employees to take early retirement or risk the loss of much of their pension. The debate was initiated by English MP Sandra Gidley who also has a number of constituents who work for IBM.  

13.1.2010 19:19
MP BACKS AGE CONCERN’S BID TO KEEP BURGLARS OUT IN THE COLD
Local MP David Cairns is joining forces with Age Concern to help keep Inverclyde’s pensioners safe this winter. He’s already signed a parliamentary motion backing Age Concern’s campaign to encourage older people to take precautions in their homes during the colder weather, and he’s keen to make sure local OAPs know about Age Concern’s free booklet on home security which can be downloaded at www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/action-against-burglary.asp.  

12.1.2010 14:23
CAIRNS IN WESTMINSTER TALKS ON FUTURE OF NAVY BUILDINGS
Inverclyde Labour MP David Cairns has convened two high level meetings on the future of workers employed at the MOD Buildings in Eldon Street. David asked for a meeting with Ministers at Defence Questions earlier this week and Kevan Jones MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence, readily agreed to the request. The meeting is expected to take place in the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall.