2. Facsimile of Sir Robert Smith’s Parliamentary …...2. Facsimile of Sir Robert Smith’s...
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20 Conduct of Sir Robert Smith 2. Facsimile of Sir Robert Smith’s Parliamentary Report Robert Smith has demanded a clear timetable for British troops to be withdrawn from Iraq and has highlighted the overstretch resulting from engagement in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He said, “This will help concentrate the minds of the Iraqi Government on the need to prepare for the handover of security. At the same time, events in Afghanistan are at a critical point where additional resources are desperately needed. This overstretch is a serious challenge to the long-term well being of our armed forces.” Pressing the Armed Forces Minister in a debate on the role of the Army, Robert said, “The future of the British Army is crucial to delivering foreign policy and that policy should, in future, effectively target the use of the Army to ensure it is not overstretched.” Local MP Robert Smith has challenged Prime Minister Tony Blair and lobbied Ministers over Government plans for the future of the Post Office Network. The Government proposes to close 2,500 post offices, mainly in rural areas. At Prime Minister’s Questions, he raised the Government’s goal of social and financial inclusion, arguing that the post office network must be maintained at a level higher than is commercially viable for the Post Office to achieve this. Robert joined a mass lobby of Parliament organised by sub-postmasters and helped deliver a petition of more than 4 million signatures to Downing Street. Locally, he launched a postcard campaign to highlight the need for the public to support their local post office branch and to save the Post Office card account. Robert Smith said, “The loss of the TV Licence fee service, changes to the way benefits are paid and the threat of more Government business being lost means that many sub- postmasters fear they cannot stay in business.” In a recent debate in Parliament on post offices, Robert said, “At this time of transition, I urge the Government to ensure that decisions made on the future of the Post Office will enable a viable, socially-supported rural network to continue to be accessible. It is an empty and hollow promise from the Government that people will still be able to collect their pensions and benefits from a post office if there is no post office that is accessible to them.” Parliamentary Report Robert Smith MP West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine Robert Smith understands the importance of the North Sea oil and gas industry to the local economy. Thousands of local people depend on the industry for their jobs. As Vice Chairman of Westminster’s All Party Parliamentary Group for the British Offshore Oil and Gas Industry, Robert led a delegation of representatives from the North East business community to met the Prime Minister and put the case for maximising North Sea resources. Robert Smith said, “We pressed Tony Blair on the need to get the right recognition and support from Government so that the sector can continue to make its huge contribution, not just to the North East economy, but to the UK economy as well.” Robert has also written to the Chancellor urging him to use the Budget to give a long-term commitment to the North Sea, and resist the temptation to seek a short-term tax windfall. Robert said, “The decisions of major players in the oil and gas sector Clear timetable needed for Iraq troop withdrawal Post Office campaign continues Oil and gas industry needs stable future Robert Smith MP - wor year round king all Robert Smith MP joined Dunecht postmistress Morag Gauld to campaign for local post offices. 7 0 0 2 g n i r p S t n e d i s e R r a e D d e s a e l p m a I o p e r s i h t u o y g n i r b o t f o e m o s s e n i l t u o h c i h w , t r . r e t s n i m t s e W t a u o y g n i t n e s e r p e r o d I k r o w e h t i S e h t t u p o t t h g u o s s y a w l a e v a h I 7 9 9 1 n i n o i t c e l e y m e c n n e d i s e r e n i d r a c n i K d n a e r i h s n e e d r e b A t s e W f o s t s e r e t n i s t e v a h d e s i a r e v a h I s e u s s i e h t f o e m o s t n e m a i l r a P n I . t s r i f e h t , s e c i f f o t s o p , s b o j s a g d n a l i o a e S h t r o N d e d u l c n i . s n o i s n e p d n a s r i a f f a r e m u s n o c , s r e m r a f g n i c a f s m e l b o r p d e s a e l p s y a w l a m a I l a c o l , s l o o h c s m o r f s n o i t a t i v n i e v i e c e r o t P M n a s a k r o w y m t u o b a k a e p s o t s n o i t a s i n a g r o d n a s p u o r g g n i t i s i v s t n e u t i t s n o c r o f r e t s n i m t s e W f o s r u o t e g n a r r a o t d n a e h t t u o h g u o r h t s e i r e g r u s e c i v d a r a l u g e r d l o h o s l a I . n o d n o L y c n e u t i t s n o c . o d e s a e l P f o e b n a c I k n i h t u o y f i h c u o t n i t e g o t e t a t i s e h t o n . f a e l r e v o e r a s l i a t e d t c a t n o c y M . e c n a t s i s s a y n a y l e r e c n i s s r u o Y h t i m S t r e b o R Published by J Stewart on behalf of Robert Smith, 6 Dee Street, Banchory, AB31 5ST. Printed by Halcon Printing Ltd, Spurryhillock Industrial Estate, Stonehaven, AB39 2NH. The production of this report has been paid for from the Incidental Expenses Provision available to Members of Parliament. Photograph courtesy of the Deeside Piper Robert was recently in Pakistan, a neighbour of Afghanistan, and one of the West’s main allies in the fight against terrorism. He was part of a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association delegation of MPs and Peers that met with members of the Pakistan Senate and Assembly. Robert visited the earthquake zone where he met with the organisation overseeing the recovery and also with young earthquake victims at a tented camp. Robert Smith led a delegation of industry leaders to meet Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and put the case for the North Sea oil and gas industry. to build new headquarters in the North East is welcome. How- ever, there is a vital role for the Government in ensuring the stability of the industry’s fiscal regime and a long- term future for the North Sea.” 2. Facsimile of Sir Robert Smith’s Parliamentary Report
Transcript of 2. Facsimile of Sir Robert Smith’s Parliamentary …...2. Facsimile of Sir Robert Smith’s...
20 Conduct of Sir Robert Smith
2. Facsimile of Sir Robert Smith’s Parliamentary Report
Robert Smith has demanded a clear timetable for British troops to be withdrawnfrom Iraq and has highlighted the overstretch resulting from engagement in bothIraq and Afghanistan.He said, “This will help concentrate the minds of the Iraqi Government on the need toprepare for the handover of security. At the same time, events in Afghanistan are at acritical point where additional resources are desperately needed. This overstretch is aserious challenge to the long-term well being of our armed forces.”Pressing the Armed Forces Minister in a debate on the role of the Army, Robert said, “Thefuture of the British Army is crucial to delivering foreign policy and that policy should, infuture, effectively target the use of the Army to ensure it is not overstretched.”
Local MP Robert Smith haschallenged Prime Minister Tony Blairand lobbied Ministers overGovernment plans for the future of thePost Office Network. The Governmentproposes to close 2,500 post offices,mainly in rural areas.At Prime Minister’s Questions, he raised theGovernment’s goal of social and financialinclusion, arguing that the post office networkmust be maintained at a level higher than iscommercially viable for the Post Office toachieve this.Robert joined a mass lobby of Parliamentorganised by sub-postmasters and helpeddeliver a petition of more than 4 millionsignatures to Downing Street.Locally, he launched a postcard campaign to highlight the need for the public to supporttheir local post office branch and to save the Post Office card account.Robert Smith said, “The loss of the TV Licence fee service, changes to the way benefitsare paid and the threat of more Government business being lost means that many sub-postmasters fear they cannot stay in business.”In a recent debate in Parliament on post offices, Robert said, “At this time of transition, Iurge the Government to ensure that decisions made on the future of the Post Office willenable a viable, socially-supported rural network to continue to be accessible. It is an emptyand hollow promise from the Government that people will still be able to collect theirpensions and benefits from a post office if there is no post office that is accessible to them.”
Parliamentary Report
Robert Smith MPWest Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Robert Smith understands the importance of the North Sea oiland gas industry to the local economy. Thousands of local peopledepend on the industry for their jobs.As Vice Chairman of Westminster’s All Party Parliamentary Groupfor the British Offshore Oil and Gas Industry, Robert led a delegationof representatives from the North East business community to met thePrime Minister and put the case for maximising North Sea resources.Robert Smith said, “We pressed Tony Blair on the need to get theright recognition and support from Government so that the sector cancontinue to make its huge contribution, not just to the North Easteconomy, but to the UK economy as well.”Robert has also written to the Chancellor urging him to use theBudget to give a long-term commitment to the North Sea, and resistthe temptation to seek a short-term tax windfall.Robert said, “The decisions of major players in the oil and gas sector
Clear timetable neededfor Iraq troop withdrawal
Post Office campaigncontinues
Oil and gas industryneeds stable future
Robert Smith MP - wor year roundking all
Robert Smith MP joined Dunecht postmistressMorag Gauld to campaign for local post offices.
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Published by J Stewart on behalf of Robert Smith, 6 Dee Street, Banchory, AB31 5ST. Printed by Halcon Printing Ltd, Spurryhillock Industrial Estate, Stonehaven, AB39 2NH. The production of this report has been paid for from the Incidental Expenses Provision available to Members of Parliament.
Photograph courtesy of the Deeside Piper
Robert was recently in Pakistan, a neighbour of Afghanistan, and one of the West’s main allies in the fight against terrorism.He was part of a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association delegation of MPs and Peers that met with members of the Pakistan Senate and Assembly. Robert visited the earthquake zone where he met with the organisation overseeing the recovery and also with young earthquake victims at a tented camp.
Robert Smith led a delegation of industry leaders tomeet Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and put the case for
the North Sea oil and gas industry.
to build new headquarters in the North East is welcome. How-ever, there is a vital role for the Government in ensuring the stability of the industry’s fiscal regime and a long-term future for the North Sea.”
2. Facsimile of Sir Robert Smith’s Parliamentary Report
Conduct of Sir Robert Smith 21
Local MP Robert Smith has highlighted thepotential bright future in renewable energy for theNorth East.At the All Energy Exhibition and Conference held inAberdeen, Robert met local companies working in thesector, including wave power specialists RossDeeptech of Stonehaven; Laurencekirk-based Brumac;ground heat pump experts Earthwise of Kemnay; andAboyne-based wood energy consultants Andrew Nicol.Robert Smith said, “Cleaner renewable energysupplies, including tidal power and bio-mass and bio-fuels are the best way forward to meeting our futureenergy needs, as well as boosting local employment. Ihave also made clear to Ministers the risk of divertingvital investment into nuclear power.”
Robert Smith has raised the growing concern about thepower of the supermarkets with the Minister of ConsumerAffairs in a top level meeting at the Department of Tradeand Industry.He welcomed the early findings of the CompetitionCommission in its Grocery Inquiry into supermarkets and haswritten reinforcing the need for confidentiality to encouragewitnesses to come forward and give evidence.Robert said, “Farmers deserve a fair deal from the supermarketsand must not be afraid of reprisals if they come forward withtheir experiences. The Commission must ensure a fair marketfor our farmers and suppliers otherwise rural communities willlose out and consumers will not have the choice they deserve.”Robert has also challenged the Government for action to ensure the traceability of all meat imports.He raised the issue in the Commons with the Farming Minister Ben Bradshaw following fears overimported meat from Brazil and Argentina.
Robert Smith has used parliamentary questions topress the Government on action to reduce the numberof domestic energy consumers living in fuel poverty.Robert’s commitment to tackling fuel poverty hasrecently been recognised by Energy Action Scotland- a national charity whose aim is to eliminate fuelpoverty particularly as it affects low incomehouseholds – by appointing him a Vice President.Robert said, “With rising energy prices, fuel povertyis a big issue which has to be a priority. I welcome thisopportunity to raise the charity’s profile in the NorthEast and pursue its aims at Westminster.”
Robert has also worked closely for the past decade in assisting local charity SCARF (Save CashAnd Reduce Fuel) which offers advice to householders wanting to save energy. SCARF can becontacted on Freephone 0800 512012.
Veterans BadgeRobert Smith has launched an appeal for veteransacross West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine to claimtheir HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge.After attending the launch of the badge at the Ministry ofDefence, Robert said, “Those who served in the UK ArmedForces before December 31, 1969 may be entitled to aVeterans Badge. This badge publicly recognises the role ofour ex-servicemen and women and shows our deep gratitudefor their contribution. I would welcome anyone who feels thatthey may qualify to contact me and we’ll send out anapplication form.”
Winter Fuel PaymentsRobert Smith is supporting moves to extend winter fuelpayments to those who are severely disabled and under 60.He has signed a Commons motion noting his concerns thatpeople under this age with severe disabilities are not eligiblefor winter fuel payments.Robert said, “ Those who suffer from reduced mobility facesevere difficulties staying warm in winter and avoiding illness.They face a daily struggle to pay their energy bills and simplykeep warm. They should also be eligible for the same winterfuel payments as those over the age of 60.”
Energy Technology InstituteRobert Smith MP has backed the campaign to bring theheadquarters of the proposed new Energy TechnologyInstitute to Aberdeen. “We have an excellent case with ourstrong track record in energy in the North East and the hugepotential for renewable technologies. I will continue to lobbythe Energy Minister, Alistair Darling to reinforce the messagethat Aberdeen is the best location for the Institute.”
Tax CreditsLocal families are still being let down by the inefficiency of theTax Credit system, Robert Smith MP has told ministers.Robert Smith said, “Too many families are being affected byoverpayments despite keeping the Tax Credit office fullyinformed of changes to their circumstances. They are thenbeing asked to repay considerable sums, sometimesthousands of pounds. More needs to be done to getassessments right first time.”
Digital TelevisionRobert Smith has met with broadcasting watchdog Ofcom todiscuss issues relating to digital TV and the digitalswitchover. He has been given assurances that they willexamine the need for easy-to-use handsets for people whomay have difficulty using digital TV.Robert has also pressed for full digital coverage in Grampianto ensure there are no black spots in rural areas once thedigital switchover happens in 2010.
Robert Smith joins the winners of the ‘Maths in thePipeline’ challenge organised by SETPOINT ScotlandNorth. Robert supported the challenge as a way ofattracting young people into science, engineering andtechnology and encouraging careers in these fields.
Renewable future for North-east
Fair deal for farmers
Robert Smith welcomed the announcement thatLaurencekirk railway station is to re-open. He
met with Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen inLaurencekirk to hear the news first-hand. They
were joined by Mike Rumbles MSP and localcouncillors Tom Fleming and Bill Howatson.
MP’s Fuel poverty work recognised
Robert Smith has delivered scores of cut-out teachers fromlocal school pupils in West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine,including Carronhill School, to No 10 Downing Street as part
of the global campaign for education highlighting the shortageof teachers in many developing countries.
The recent high number ofserious accidents on our roadshas caused considerable local
concern. Robert Smith recentlymet with Supt. Henry Thorburnand Aberdeenshire CommunitySafety Officer Kate Rigby to be
briefed on the problem.
IN BRIEF
How to contactRobert Smith MP
Constituency Office6 Dee Street
Banchory, AB31 5STTel: 01330 820330Fax: 01330 820338
e-mail: [email protected]
Robert Smith MP joined hosts Johnand Linda Sim at the SAC’s Beef Open
Day at Rorandle Farm, Monymusk.
Robert Smith MP at Aberdeen’s All-EnergyExhibition and Conference
Robert Smith MP and Mike Rumbles MSPhelped SCARF insulate Mr and Mrs Crichton’s
Kincardine O’Neil home
