March 2005

28.3.2005 08:18
CAIRNS FURY AT TORY “SMEAR”
Greenock and Inverclyde MP has reacted furiously to allegations by a Tory MP that areas like Inverclyde are only getting regional support from Europe because they are Labour-held constituencies. The comments were made by Vale of York Conservative MP Anne McIntosh during Treasury Questions in the House of Commons.  

17.3.2005 14:50
CAIRNS WARNS OF DANGERS TO FUTURE OF AFGHANISTAN IF HEROIN CROP IS NOT DESTROYED
Greenock and Inverclyde MP David Cairns has renewed his warnings about the danger of a bumper crop of heroin from Afghanistan. Speaking during Defence Questions in the House of Commons, David told MPs about the fears of the President of Afghanistan, Hamad Karzai, that profits from the heroin trade were being used by terrorists to undermine the future of his country. David has campaigned relentlessly over the past four years against the evil trade of poppies from Afghanistan ending up as heroin on Britain’s streets. Defence Minister Adam Ingram MP agreed with David about the pressing need for a proper drugs eradication strategy.  

15.3.2005 09:19
CHANCELLOR GORDON BROWN OFFERS SUPPORT FOR INVERCLYDE FAIRTRADE DRIVE
The Right Honourable Gordon Brown MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has offered his support to the people of Inverclyde in their quest to become a Fairtrade area. David Cairns MP for Greenock and Inverclyde showed the Chancellor the scores of petitions containing around 1,500 names that he has received backing his campaign, in Mr Brown’s office at the House of Commons. The Chancellor has led the global drive to reduce third world debt and increase aid to the world’s poor, and has ensured significant Government support for the Fairtrade movement. His backing represents a significant boost to David’s calls for civic and business leaders in Inverclyde to make Fairtrade products more readily available.  

14.3.2005 16:23
MP URGES PENSIONERS TO CLAIM EVERYTHING THEY ARE ENTITLED TO
Local MP David Cairns has invited pensioners from all over Inverclyde to join him at the Wellpark Mid Kirk hall on Saturday 19th March from 10am for a special pensioners’ tea and coffee morning that he has organised. But there is more on offer than just tea and coffee. He’s arranged for the Pension Service to be on hand to check that OAPs are getting all the money they are entitled to, so it’s well worth a visit if you are in Greenock on Saturday. There will be lots of other organisations there including the Elderly Forum, the local Police, Financial Fitness and Inverclyde Carers’ Centre.   

10.3.2005 16:45
PARLIAMENT HEARS FRESH PRESSURE FOR INVERKIP TV VIEWERS
Inverkip’s MP David Cairns has once again raised the plight of those inhabitants of the village who are unable to receive a TV signal, during a debate on the future of the BBC in the House of Commons. He raised the issue with the Chairman of the influential Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Sir Gerald Kaufman MP and pressed for support for his view that people who cannot get a TV signal should be exempt from the license fee. Although Sir Gerald was unable to fully support this call he did express the hope that the Secretary of State, Tessa Jowell MP, who was present for the excahange, would listen to the plight of affected people, such as those in Inverkip.  

8.3.2005 14:40
CAIRNS TELLS PARLIAMENT NEW CHECKS FOR CLUB-BOUNCERS WILL PROTECT CUSTOMERS
Greenock and Inverclyde MP David Cairns has welcomed the extension to Scotland of a scheme to train and license pub and club bouncers. Speaking during Home Office Questions in the House of Commons, David asked the Minister, Fiona MacTaggart MP, for evidence that the licensing scheme in England and Wales was having an impact. In her reply the Minister acknowledged that pressure from David Cairns was in part behind the moves to strengthen the law in Scotland, and crack down on bouncers who often behave as if they were above the law, and tackle the criminality associated with the profession.  

4.3.2005 16:13
MP BACKS LABOUR PLANS TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM WAGE
David Cairns MP has welcomed Labour’s plans for the minimum wage to rise to over £5 and hour in 2005 for workers in Scotland.