Honey Bees - That the Parliament notes with growing concern the decline in honey bees in Scotland and more widely, and urges the Scottish Executive to use its best endeavours to support more research, and thereafter to take whatever actions are necessary to support a healthy population of honey bees which are so vital to the health of our natural environment

Ullapool Primary School - That the Parliament notes the concerns being expressed by the Ullapool Primary School Parents Council over the adverse effects which the ongoing budget cuts being made by the Highland Council are having upon the educational quality at Ullapool Primary School; notes that due to lack of finances the school has no library service and, because of the budget cuts this year, no swimming classes and no specialist teachers for music or higher education, and therefore calls on the council to make the necessary resources available to ensure that children attending Ullapool Primary School receive the resources needed to provide for their education.

Motion proposed by Peter Peacock

INEOS Reduction in Workforce Pensions- That the Parliament notes the proposal by INEOS to reduce the pension rights of the workforce at the former BP oil refinery and chemicals complex at Grangemouth from those which had been part of the terms and conditions of employment of the workforce when INEOS bought the BP site; further notes that the INEOS proposal is to create a two-tier workforce with all new employees being denied a final salary pension and resulted in 97% of trade union members in an 86% ballot return voting for strike action after exhaustive negotiations; expresses concern at the aggressive tactics of INEOS senior management in undermining the agreed consultative processes, and supports the efforts of the INEOS workforce and its trade union, Unite, to sustain existing pension arrangements on this very profitable complex for the benefit of all current and future employees.



Shetland Museum Leads for Scotland in Art Fund Prize 2008- That the Parliament congratulates the Shetland Museum and Archives for winning through to the final shortlist of four museums competing for the Art Fund Prize 2008; notes that this is the result of the hard work of the staff involved in running the museum; further notes that this news will not surprise the many visitors who have visited the exciting new museum and archives since it was opened last year and who have enjoyed its well-presented displays set in the impressive complex of new and restored buildings at Hays Dock in Lerwick, and calls on all Scots to get behind the Shetland Museum and Archives as it competes against three museums in the south of England before the winner of the Art Fund Prize 2008 is announced on 22 May.




The Importance of Record Shops- That the Parliament recognises the role that local record stores and shops have played in providing music and entertainment to music lovers in Scotland; further recognises that stores and shops provide character and interest throughout our towns and cities and provide an invaluable resource to music lovers, young and old, to explore their passion for music; also recognises the importance of record stores and shops in encouraging new musicians in developing their talent and appreciates the comments of Sir Paul McCartney who "hopes that these kinds of stores will be there for us all for many years to come"; endorses National Record Store Day on Saturday 19 April 2008, and hopes that such stores and shops will have a future that the next generation of music lovers appreciate.




Safety for Taxi Drivers - That the Parliament expresses its disgust that almost a third of taxi drivers have faced physical assault at work in the past year; is extremely concerned that 88% of taxi drivers have faced verbal attacks in the last year; strongly believes that everyone, including taxi drivers, has the right to feel safe at work; urges members of the public to be vigilant and report any attacks on taxi drivers, and supports the Scottish Taxi Federation in measures it is taking to increase the safety and protection of drivers.


 

Michael Gray— That the Parliament notes with regret the sad and premature death of Michael Gray; records its appreciation of his life’s work in support of others and particularly his effort and that of his wife, Tina McGeever, over recent months in raising important issues with the Parliament about cancer care and the need for more equitable treatment of patients across Scotland; commends Mr Gray for his humility, dignity and courage, and for his commitment to advance the cause of his fellow Scots in the face of his own terminal illness; commits to examining thoroughly the issues raised by Mr Gray with a view to improving care of all those whom he sought to support through his own determined efforts, and offers condolences to Mr Gray’s family and friends.

Centenary of the 2nd Inverness Company of Boys' Brigade, Ness Bank Church— That the Parliament congratulates the centenary of the 2nd Inverness Company of the Boys’ Brigade, attached to Ness Bank Church, Inverness; notes that the occasion will be marked during the weekend of 18 to 20 April 2008 along with other events, and wishes all those involved well in celebrating this landmark occasion.

Water and Sewerage Rates Relief for Charitable and Voluntary Organisations— That the Parliament notes with concern the financial pressures incurred by voluntary sector organisations and churches across Scotland; welcomes the previous administration’s extension of the water rates relief scheme to 2010; recognises that while in opposition the SNP was strongly supportive of introducing a water charges exemption scheme; welcomes the petition introduced by Reverend Jock Stein on behalf of Dunfermline Presbytery, on water rates relief for charities and churches, and calls on the Scottish Government to fund a replacement scheme to offer water and sewerage rates relief for charitable and voluntary organisations when the existing exemption scheme expires in 2010.

No Smoking Day— That the Parliament welcomes No Smoking Day on 12 March 2008; celebrates the reduction in heart attacks and other smoking-related diseases that is already becoming apparent in Scotland following the legislative ban on smoking in public places, and regrets that continued progress in this undoubted benefit for the health of the people of Scotland may be hindered by the funding cuts in real terms for smoking cessation programmes introduced by the Scottish Government.

Congratulations to Moray Council on Addiction and Children 1st— That the Parliament congratulates Moray Council on Addiction and Children 1st who have been awarded almost £800,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to develop a counselling service for those affected by substance misuse and a project to support youngsters leaving care; notes that this investment means that Moray has become one of the most successful local authorities in Scotland in accessing the Big Lottery Fund which is a testament to the quality of projects in the area; further notes that with the £384,693 award, Moray Council on Addiction is expected to be able to reach 500 local young people who are affected either directly or by another’s substance misuse and, in addition, that the £401,412 awarded to Children 1st will help make a real difference to some of the most vulnerable young people in Moray, helping them to make the often difficult transition into adulthood, and wishes both organisations every success for the future.

Scotland Hosts Meeting of European Fisheries Experts— As an amendment to motion S3M-1499 in the name of Roseanna Cunningham (Scotland Hosts Meeting of European Fisheries Experts), insert at end "and welcomes the U-turn in the SNP’s position on Regional Advisory Councils which the current Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Richard Lochhead MSP, denounced as a "sop" and "little more than talking shops" when they were launched under the previous administration in 2004."

Schools of Ambition— That the Parliament expresses disappointment over the short-sighted decision of the Scottish Government to end funding for the Schools of Ambition programme; commends the programme’s aim of supporting school transformation, allowing both staff and pupils to try out new ideas and undertake a creative and innovative approach to learning, stimulating ambition and opportunity for young people and working with the whole community; recognises the excellent work done by Doon Academy in East Ayrshire, Carrick Academy in South Ayrshire, and the 50 other schools throughout Scotland which are currently participating in the programme, and urges the Scottish Government to reconsider its decision and support the enduring benefits that the Schools of Ambition programme offers.

National Minimum Wage— As an amendment to motion S3M-1497 in the name of John Wilson (National Minimum Wage), leave out from "expresses" to end and insert "notes the increase of the National Minimum Wage to £5.73 per hour in October 2008; further notes this will be an increase of nearly 60% since its introduction on 1 April 1999; recognises that the introduction of the National Minimum Wage had a huge impact on thousands of low-paid workers, many of whom were women; applauds the introduction of such legislation for its focus on the rights of working people and not the profits of big business; further notes the failure of the SNP MPs to turn up to vote in the House of Commons for the National Minimum Wage in 1998, and expresses disappointment that the current First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth were among those who did not participate in the vote to introduce the National Minimum Wage.

Orkney Postwoman's Bravery Award— That the Parliament congratulates life-saving Orkney postwoman, Caroline Delday, for winning the Scottish section of Royal Mail’s 2008 1st Class People Awards for her bravery; believes that the award is well deserved recognition for her actions when, after spotting smoke from a house, she shouted to wake up the elderly householder and then entered the burning house to help him escape; notes that she will now travel to London for the UK finals of the prestigious awards, which aim to celebrate postmen and women who are unsung heroes in their communities, and wishes her every success in the finals.

Cuts in Highland Council Services—That the Parliament deplores the planned cuts in vital council and voluntary sector services being made by Highland Council as a result of the SNP government’s priorities for spending; notes that these cuts are taking place at a time when the Scottish Government has the largest budget for public services since devolution and twice that which Donald Dewar had only a few short years ago; further notes in particular that Highland Council plans to build up financial reserves while cutting services and shedding jobs; questions whether the single outcome agreement with Highland Council to deliver SNP manifesto commitments will now do so, in particular with regard to class-size reductions, and urges the SNP government and SNP/Independent-led Highland Council to reverse the planned cuts.

WWF campaign for Strong Climate Change Bill - That the Parliament welcomes the launch of WWF Scotland’s campaign for a strong Scottish Climate Change Bill, which will engage with communities across the country through 25 public events over the course of the public consultation on the Bill proposals; believes that, in tackling climate change, Scotland as a nation can lead the way and, alongside those backing this campaign, supports calls for the Bill to establish the legal framework to achieve an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and a statutory annual target of at least 3% emission reductions year on year and to include reductions in emissions from aviation and shipping, and further notes that these calls are supported across the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition, a broad coalition of environment, development, community and faith groups and UNISON Scotland.

Shetland Islands Council Appeal Against State Aid Ruling— That the Parliament notes with deep concern the ruling by the European Commission, under State Aid regulations, that Shetland Islands Council must recover monies invested in the local fishing industry using funds paid to Shetland Islands Council by the oil industry as compensation for the disruption caused by the construction of Europe’s largest oil terminal at Sullom Voe; further notes that, if the monies have to be repaid, this will impact directly on 78 individual Shetland fishermen who received grants to allow them to invest in boats; is disappointed that the UK Government, as the Member State, is not to lodge an appeal, but welcomes the decision by Shetland Islands Council to appeal this decision to the European Court of Justice, and calls on both the Scottish and UK governments to support and assist Shetland Islands Council, both with the appeal and in discussions with the European Commission, in order to bring this matter to a successful outcome for Shetland and allow the council to continue to build, maintain and sustain the local fishing industry.

Celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight— That the Parliament recognises the ongoing efforts of individuals and organisations working to promote and raise awareness of fair trade in Scotland, welcomes the steady increase in the number of schools, colleges, church groups, towns and cities across Scotland who now have Fairtrade status; acknowledges the important contribution made by the Scottish Fair Trade Forum in the work to help Scotland achieve Fairtrade nation status, notes that Fairtrade Fortnight will take place from 24 February to 9 March 2008, and looks forward to marking this at an event in the Parliament on the evening of Thursday 28 February.

Recreational Sea Angling— That the Parliament notes the economic and social importance of recreational sea angling to communities along the west coast and across Scotland; further notes that around 225,000 people participate in the sport annually with an average spend of £1,375 for boat anglers and £861 for shore anglers; recognises that most species of interest to sea anglers have limited commercial value and are returned alive to the sea, representing an excellent financial return for "Scotland plc"; affirms the extremely low environmental cost of recreational sea angling which is at the forefront of sustainable fishing and especially welcomes the Give Fish a Chance initiative from the Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network, encouraging anglers to keep only those fish which have reached breeding size; regrets the substantial decline of the sport and supporting industries, notably on the Firth of Clyde, due to a loss of stocks with a number of species becoming extinct locally or reduced to the point where only juvenile specimens are now being caught; notes with concern the critically endangered status of key species, such as common skate, porbeagle and spurdog, which bring sea anglers to Scotland, and considers that work between the Scottish Government, sea angling bodies and other relevant agencies should continue to ensure the conservation of key species and the continued growth of sea angling in Scotland.

No Excuse for Elder Abuse— That the Parliament expresses concern that an estimated 7% to 9% of older people in Scotland are victims of at least one form of abuse; recognises that over 40% of victims suffer more than one kind of abuse; notes that abuse can occur in an older person’s own home, in care homes or in hospitals or through any service an older person receives; is aware that abuse is perpetrated by family members, neighbours and friends, professional care workers, informal carers, those who provide financial and legal services and others; seeks to reduce the level of abuse of older people and ensure that victims of elder abuse have access to appropriate support and legal resources, and continues to support and work with agencies to help raise awareness of this issue, remove the fear of abuse currently felt by older people and fulfil our obligation to do everything we can to protect those most vulnerable in society.

Jason MacIntyre— That the Parliament expresses its sadness at the tragic death of Scottish cycling champion Jason MacIntyre, on 15 January 2008; pays tribute to his achievement as triple British and Scottish champion time trial cyclist; recognises his death as a significant loss to Scottish sport, and sends its sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Sacking of Chairs of Sportscotland and the Scottish Institute of Sport— That the Parliament condemns the Scottish Government for its peremptory sacking of Julia Bracewell, Chair of sportscotland, and Dougie Donnelly, Chair of the Scottish Institute of Sport, as a cynical and vindictive move motivated not by a recognition of the qualities that the current chairs, as individuals, have brought and can bring to the development of their respective organisations and to sport in Scotland, but by revenge at having been forced to perform a u-turn and retain sportscotland.

Hands Off the Sick Kids— That the Parliament supports the campaign to save the sick kids hospital in Edinburgh; believes that the hospital provides vital healthcare and great comfort to families across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and further afield; unites behind nurses, doctors, health professionals, parents and children and encourages everyone to sign the Edinburgh Evening News "Hands Off the Sick Kids" petition; agrees that, if this service was closed, local parents and children already dealing with difficult and challenging circumstances would endure significant stress and additional suffering as a result, and insists that the presumption against centralising hospital services like this is one manifesto commitment the SNP government must keep.

Fund to Clean Homes after Murders— That the Parliament notes that around 20 to 30 families each year have to pay for the cost of cleaning up their own homes after a murder has taken place there; recognises that the costs of a clean-up can vary from £200 to £3,000; further recognises the stress and strain that this can cause to the families of murder victims who are still coming to terms with their loss, on top of attending to funeral arrangements, and calls on the Scottish Government to establish a fund to cover the costs of cleaning up homes after a murder to help bereaved families at a very difficult time.

Publication of The Birds of Scotland— That the Parliament welcomes the publication of The Birds of Scotland, the definitive two-volume work on Scottish birds, which has been drawn up over five years under the auspices of the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club (SOC) with the support of a range of organisations and individuals including Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Forestry Commission and the RSPB; commends the work of all its editors, authors and illustrators; recognises that the million words in the two volumes of the work represent an extraordinary achievement which will contribute greatly to national and international knowledge; is pleased that Scotland leads the world in studying its own bird life and its own environment with a view to ensuring sustainability and a healthy biodiversity, and express its gratitude to the SOC for the copy of the book which it presented to the Minister for Environment at the book’s launch on 9 January 2008 in the Royal Museum of Scotland with the request that it be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Scottish Environment Week— That the Parliament welcomes the forthcoming Scottish Environment Week which takes place from 4 to 10 February 2008 affording the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the importance of Scotland’s environment to our society and economy; notes that the theme of this year’s environment week is "A climate for change: enabling sustainable livelihoods", exploring how government, business and the public can inspire others and facilitate change towards sustainable development, low impact lifestyles and the carbon neutral society; pays tribute to those who have taken active steps to reduce their carbon footprint and live more environmentally sustainable lives, and further congratulates Scottish Environment LINK for organising a series of events in the Parliament and beyond exploring the opportunities and challenges involved in ensuring that Scotland’s environment, whether urban, rural or marine, is protected and enhanced in order that it can be enjoyed by generations to come.

Direct Ferry Service from Lochboisdale to Mallaig— That the Parliament recognises the benefits that would accrue to the residents of Eriskay, South Uist, Benbecula, North Uist and Berneray from a direct ferry service from Lochboisdale to Mallaig; urges Caledonian MacBrayne and the Scottish Government to support the introduction of this additional ferry service to the islands as soon as possible, and commends people, businesses and the community landowner, Storas Uibhist, for their vigilance and ongoing campaign for this much-needed ferry service.

Phil O'Donnell— That the Parliament expresses its sadness and shock at the sudden death of Phil O’Donnell, captain of Motherwell Football Club, on Saturday 29 December 2007; pays tribute to his record as a true ambassador for football, both on and off the pitch, and sends its sincere condolences to his family and to Motherwell FC at this time.

Brick by Brick: A Tenancy Deposit Scheme for Scotland— That the Parliament notes the publication of the latest National Union of Students Scotland’s report, Brick by Brick: the state of student housing in Scotland 2007, which draws attention to the one-third of Scottish students who lose their deposits on leaving private accommodation; notes that many students, who may rely on the return of this deposit to pay upfront rent for their next property, believe that their deposits have been withheld unfairly and expresses concern that the withholding of deposits unfairly can lead to hardship and ultimately homelessness; further notes the tenancy deposit protection scheme in operation in England and Wales which ensures protection for both landlords and students, and calls on the Scottish Government to engage with NUS Scotland with a view to implementing a similar scheme for Scotland.

Outlawing Prostitution— That the Parliament supports the recent commitment by the Leader of the House of Commons, Harriet Harman MP, to work towards outlawing prostitution, as is already the case in Sweden; congratulates her for her recent action to prevent local newspapers from carrying adverts for brothel services which are believed to be linked to human trafficking, and urges ministers to increase funding in Scotland for work that challenges the demand for women to be traded for men’s sexual gratification and to provide more services to enable women to exit prostitution, drawing on existing good practice.

Pressure for Change— That the Parliament notes the findings of the Care Commission report, Pressure for change, which found serious failings in standards of care in all the care homes that were visited as part of the review; further notes the widespread incidence of pressure ulcers found on older people living in care homes, the effects of which can range from mild skin reddening to severe deep open wounds which can be life-threatening if infected; agrees that it is a disgrace for elderly people in this day and age to suffer unnecessarily from pressure ulcers which are preventable and can be treated; accepts the view of the Care Commission that the report is indicative of widespread failings in the Scottish care home system, and therefore calls on the Scottish Government to accept the findings of the Care Commission report and fully implement its recommendations.

Invisible Heating Systems - Top Flight— That the Parliament notes the inclusion of Ullapool-based Invisible Heating Systems in the top 50 most innovative companies in the world for 2007 in the Fast Company magazine; congratulates all the staff in the company for this impressive achievement; notes that other entries on the list include the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger and high profile global concerns, IKEA and Nike; believes that this inclusion is a boost not only to Ullapool but to businesses in the highlands and islands, and wishes every success to this innovative business and others like it in the highlands and islands for 2008 and beyond.

Bank Machine Accessibility— That the Parliament recognises how difficult it is for people with visual impairments to use bank automated telling machines; notes that there is not a standard design for ATMs which results in people having to familiarise themselves with the layout each time they go to a new one; further notes that sometimes people with visual impairments have to ask strangers to help them to take their own money out, leaving them feeling very vulnerable; believes that everyone should be able to access their own money without fear, and urges the Scottish Executive to discuss the issue with all Scottish banks to agree a standard design which can be more easily accessed by those with visual impairments.

Teenage Kicks - Improving Musical Opportunities for Young People— That the Parliament notes the recent visit of Feargal Sharkey, chair of the UK Live Music Forum and former lead singer of The Undertones, to meet members of the Cross-Party Group on the Scottish Contemporary Music Industry; congratulates the forum for the work done with the UK Government to utilise assets from dormant bank accounts to fund rehearsal spaces and instrument lending for young people in disadvantaged communities and for securing an advance payment from the Department for Children, Schools and Families to take forward plans modelled on a studio in Wrexham and proposals which have been suggested for Ferguslie Park in Paisley, and calls on the Scottish Government to work with the cross-party group to ensure that Scotland receives its share of any funds released and also to examine whether proceeds of crime revenue can be used to widen access to the music industry for young people in Scotland.

Undermining Development: Copper Mining in Zambia— :  That the Parliament congratulates SCIAF, Christian Aid and Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) on the publication of Undermining Development: Copper Mining in Zambia which focuses on Zambia’s largest copper mining company, KCM, which is majority-owned by UK-based Vedanta Resources; notes with concern the report’s key finding that Zambian society is deriving few of the advantages of copper mining while suffering many of the disadvantages and regrets the way in which particular companies’ operations compound this problem, and therefore calls for action to ensure that those UK corporations, particularly those which claim to be socially responsible investors, take their responsibilities seriously in ensuring that the companies in which they invest uphold best practice in terms of social and environmental responsibilities

Golf Resort Development in Aberdeen City and Shire— That the Parliament deplores the decision on 29 November 2007 by the Infrastructure Committee of Aberdeenshire Council to reject Donald Trump’s application to develop a world-class golf resort in the north east; believes that decisions of such strategic importance ought to be taken by all members of a planning authority and determined on the basis of the interests of the wider community and Scotland as a whole; calls on Aberdeenshire Council to act urgently to review and if possible reverse its decision, and calls for any appeal by the developer to be dealt with as a matter of urgency by Scottish ministers.

Carers' Respite and Short Breaks— That the Parliament notes that 7 December 2007 is Carers’ Rights Day; applauds the huge contribution made to society by more than 600,000 unpaid carers in Scotland; welcomes the work done by organisations such as Grangemouth Carers and the Falkirk Carers Centre; recognises the enormous benefit that the provision of respite and short break services can make to both the carer and the cared for; notes with concern the inequalities of access to respite provision recently highlighted by the Scottish Society for Autism; believes that regular updates should be made available, detailing progress towards the provision of an additional 10,000 weeks respite per year, as well as a guaranteed annual entitlement to breaks from caring by 2011; welcomes the Scottish Government’s consultation on its new respite care guidance; is concerned, however, that this guidance does not contain a duty on local authorities to develop specific respite strategies; believes that such a duty is vital to strengthen the development of respite services and to achieve equality of access across Scotland, and believes that, in the absence of a duty on local authorities, measures should be taken to ensure that the impact of any additional resources for respite services is not undermined by weaknesses in local respite planning.

Moose in the Hoose— That the Parliament welcomes the "Moose In The Hoose" project aimed at introducing the benefits of computers and the internet to those living in care homes and sheltered housing in Edinburgh using retired and senior volunteers; congratulates the City of Edinburgh Council’s Department of Health and Social Care, Community Service Volunteer’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) and Age Concern’s Edinburgh Information Technology (ACE IT) based in the Gorgie and Dalry area on jointly bringing this project to fruition; believes that it is vital that no section of society is left behind by technological developments, and further believes that this important social inclusion project is an example of good practice to the rest of Scotland and beyond.

Fort William Post Office - That the Parliament expresses concern over the current consultation about post office services in Fort William which are to be transferred to the basement floor of the local branch of WH Smith; notes the considerable concerns that have been expressed by local residents who believe that these new arrangements are not adequate to meet customer requirements, in particular for the elderly and infirm, and strongly urges the Post Office and WH Smith to reconsider the proposed location.

Motion proposed by Peter Peacock

Harris Tweed Hebrides—That the Parliament welcomes the announcement of the reopening of the mill at Shawbost on the Isle of Lewis by a new Scottish-owned company, Harris Tweed Hebrides; notes that this announcement has been greeted with relief and enthusiasm by residents on the island where concerns had been mounting about the future of the industry; further notes that this development will create a new opportunity for local people to invest in the new company and participate in a profit-sharing scheme, thereby helping to strengthen the company’s roots in the community, and wishes Harris Tweed Hebrides every success for a bright and prosperous future.

Science and the Parliament, Wednesday 28 November 2007— That the Parliament welcomes the Science and the Parliament event being held on 28 November 2007 in Our Dynamic Earth, organised once again by the Royal Society of Chemistry in association with Scotland’s leading science organisations; notes that this year’s theme is "The Science Behind the Energy Debate" in recognition of the important contribution that Scotland’s scientific community can make to the debate on this vital policy area; further notes that Scotland is a world leader in many scientific disciplines; recognises the need to foster an environment that enhances pupil and student participation in science, to invest in the science infrastructure and equipment of our educational establishments, to increase investment in research along with supporting greater industrial research and to assist in the practical application of our world-beating research, and hopes that this year’s Science and the Parliament event will play a positive part in contributing to the debate on how the Parliament and the Scottish Government address Scotland’s energy needs and obligations to tackle climate change in the years ahead.

Extra-curricular Outdoor Education for Every School Pupil— That the Parliament notes the vital contribution that taking part in extra-curricular activities makes in developing our young people; notes that extra-curricular programmes help our young people to learn new skills, to enjoy new responsibility, to appreciate the work of other people and to learn about leadership; notes the success of projects such as Crieff High School’s Community Awareness Project, and considers that, in an age when too many of our young people are in the headlines for the wrong reasons and when there are increasing concerns about school discipline and the numbers of youngsters involved in incidents of antisocial behaviour, extra-curricular activities in schools and five days outdoor education for every school pupil in Scotland should be supported.

Junior Golf in Shetland— That the Parliament welcomes the success of the junior golf programme in Shetland which now has almost 80 juniors playing golf in the islands following the rapid expansion of the Shetland and Whalsay golf clubs’ junior sections; notes that this is the result of the work of volunteer coaches, trained under the Professional Golfers Association coach training scheme; further notes that eight more volunteer coaches are to be trained this month, and commends both the individual golfers who give their time and energy to coaching young golfers and the partnership between Shetland Golf Club, Whalsay Golf Club, the Sport and Leisure Service of Shetland Islands Council and Clubgolf, a partnership including the Scottish Golf Union and sportscotland, which set up and supports the junior golf programme.

Global Lung Cancer Awareness Month— That the Parliament congratulates Macmillan Cancer Support and the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation on their Early Diagnosis Saves Lives campaign to mark Global Lung Cancer Awareness Month and notes that early diagnosis is vital to reducing Scotland’s lung cancer mortality rates; welcomes the decreasing rate of lung cancer in men but notes with concern that rates in women continue to increase significantly and that lung cancer remains Scotland’s biggest cancer killer for men and women; welcomes the Scotland football manager’s support for the campaign, and urges the Scottish Government to support a year-round early diagnosis campaign.

World AIDS Day 2007— That the Parliament observes World Aids Day on 1 December 2007; acknowledges that there are an estimated 39.5 million people living with HIV worldwide; supports this year’s campaign theme, "HIV: Let’s Get Talking", aimed at encouraging wider discussion and understanding of HIV; recognises that, despite the decreasing visibility of HIV in Scotland in recent years, numbers of annual diagnoses have increased sharply since the 1990s with 2005 seeing the highest number of reported cases on record; considers that around a third of people living with HIV in Scotland remain undiagnosed; understands that late diagnoses account for at least 35% of HIV-related deaths each year in the United Kingdom, many of which could be avoided through early testing and access to treatment; acknowledges that stigma impacts profoundly on the lives of people living with HIV and acts as a major barrier to testing; supports efforts to promote greater awareness and understanding of the realties of living with HIV, and welcomes the opportunity which World Aids Day presents to get people in Scotland talking about HIV.

Disappointment at Labour Group Voting Against Rescue Package for Scotland’s Farmers and Crofters—As an amendment to motion (S3M-712) in the name of Aileen Campbell, leave out from "grave" to end and insert "its support for Members across the Parliament who have worked to support Scotland’s farmers, crofters and rural communities during the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease; notes that Labour’s amendment on 24 October 2007 supported a more comprehensive package for farmers, crofters and rural communities than that put forward by the SNP Government; welcomes the role played by Labour MSPs and others in securing a derogation on drivers’ hours, and encourages Members across the Parliament to work together in the interests of Scotland’s rural communities to secure a sustainable footing for farmers and crofters into the future."

Congratulations to Ross and Cromarty Citizens Advice Bureau—That the Parliament congratulates Ross and Cromarty Citizens Advice Bureau on its 30 years of public service; welcomes all the help and assistance it has provided to the people in the Ross and Cromarty area, and wishes Ross and Cromarty Citizens Advice Bureau every success for the future.

Fort William Post Office—That the Parliament expresses concern over the current consultation about post office services in Fort William which are to be transferred to the basement floor of the local branch of WH Smith; notes the considerable concerns that have been expressed by local residents who believe that these new arrangements are not adequate to meet customer requirements, in particular for the elderly and infirm, and strongly urges the Post Office and WH Smith to reconsider the proposed location.

Removing the Barriers to Microgeneration— That the Parliament notes that most Scottish householders installing microgeneration technologies, including solar panels, heat pumps and mini-wind vanes, are currently required to apply for planning permission; notes research commissioned by the previous administration and published on 30 March 2007 which recommended that the requirement to apply for planning permission should be removed from most microgeneration technologies in specific circumstances; agrees that microgeneration can make a significant contribution to tackling climate change, ensuring reliable energy supplies and helping to tackle fuel poverty, and therefore calls on the Scottish Government to bring forward a public consultation on removing the requirement for planning permission for microgeneration at the earliest practical opportunity and thereafter to act promptly on the findings of that consultation.

Integration of Prison Health Services— That the Parliament notes the publication of the Scottish Consortium on Crime and Social Justice’s paper, The Cost of Unnecessary Imprisonment; agrees with the proposal that the Scottish Prison Service needs to accelerate its integration of health services, including mental health and addictions services, with the NHS; believes that an approach of interventions integrated with the patients’ pathway determined by NHS practitioners and, where appropriate, followed up by provision in the community on release would result in reduced crime and reoffending, reduced costs to the taxpayer and fewer people in Scottish prisons, and calls on the Scottish Executive to support the Scottish Prison Service and the NHS in achieving this integration.

Energy Saving Trust— That the Parliament congratulates the Energy Saving Trust for organising its 11th annual Energy Saving Week from 22 to 28 October 2007; recognises that energy efficiency is the cleanest, safest and cheapest way of reducing carbon dioxide emissions; applauds Café Direct, the Royal Mail and postal workers, Proctor & Gamble, DSG International, B&Q and faith groups for taking the lead in their communities in promoting energy efficiency; urges all Members also to show leadership in their constituencies by supporting the Energy Saving Trust’s Energy Saving Week in promoting individual responsibility and actions by making a pledge to adopt at least one of 10 small measures to reduce the amount of energy they consume on a daily basis, and notes that since the Energy Saving Trust was established it has funded or influenced measures providing lifetime savings of around 20 million tonnes of carbon.

House of Lords Ruling on Pleural Plaques— That the Parliament notes with concern the judgement of the House of Lords in respect of pleural plaques which would in effect remove the right of asbestos victims to compensation and reaffirms its own commitment to compensation; supports the work already done by Clydeside Action on Asbestos and others on the matter, and considers that there should be a reversal of this decision through prioritisation of the bill already drafted by Thompsons Solicitors.

Alcohol Awareness Week— That the Parliament notes that Scotland’s first ever Alcohol Awareness Week runs from 21 to 27 October 2007; notes that each year in Scotland over 40,000 people are hospitalised due to alcohol-related conditions and that every four hours someone dies because of alcohol; further notes the huge cost to the NHS and emergency services of excessive alcohol consumption which is estimated at almost £400 million annually, and welcomes Scotland’s first Alcohol Awareness Week which will help to combat alcohol problems by promoting responsible drinking.

Show Racism the Red Card - A Fortnight of Action— That the Parliament looks forward to Show Racism the Red Card’s fortnight of action which commences on Tuesday 16 October 2007; congratulates Show Racism the Red Card Scotland for four years of hard work in trying to drive out racism, not just from football but also wider society; notes that one of the best ways to do this is to cultivate role models in our community to come forward with a strong anti-racism message, and continues to pledge its support to such a noble campaign.

Protection of Scotch Whisky— That the Parliament recognises the continued growth of the Scotch whisky industry; welcomes the initiative announced by the UK Government on 8 October 2007 to enhance the protection of Scotch whisky, and calls on the Scottish Government to work closely with the UK Government to support this important Scottish industry.

Congratulations to Kenny Simm— That the Parliament congratulates Kenny Simm from Brae, Shetland Islands, on his selection as part of the British Bobsleigh Team for the forthcoming Europa Cup competition and wishes him well in his quest to be selected for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

Intensive Support and Monitoring Service— That the Parliament commends NCH Scotland, in partnership with Highland Council and NHS Highland, for reducing the number of persistent young offenders in Highland by 63% in the past two years; recognises that the Intensive Support and Monitoring Service is at the heart of this success; welcomes the extension of the Intensive Support and Monitoring Service pilot until March 2008, and urges the Scottish Executive to investigate what lessons can be learned from the Highland experience which can be applied to reducing persistent young offender numbers elsewhere

Royal National Mod— That the Parliament notes that Friday 12 October 2007 is the start of the 104th Royal National Mod in Fort William; recognises that this nine-day-long event is a showcase for Gaelic language, culture and heritage; believes that events like this are important to the strengthening of the distinct cultural and social identities of the Scottish Gaidhealtachd; welcomes the official opening of the Mod by Len Goucher, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Heritage in Nova Scotia, to help further reinforce the links between the Gaels of Nova Scotia and of Scotland, and wishes success to the many competitors from all areas of Scotland and to those from outwith Scotland.

100 Years of Scouting— That the Parliament congratulates the Scottish Council of the Scout Association on the centenary of the Scout Movement being celebrated throughout 2007, on the level and commitment of volunteers to the delivery of the scouting programme in all 32 local authority areas and on the contribution made by scouting to the lives of young people in Scotland and worldwide; recognises the contribution of scouting to non-formal and outdoor education and applauds the commitment to engaging young people in decision-making through its Voice for Young People initiative and the participation of 120 young people in its recent annual conference; notes that the 1st Glasgow Scout Troop was the first officially recognised Scout group in the world; notes also the achievement of Carrie Gibson, a Scout leader from Greenock, on being the first person ever to have scaled Mount Everest through scouting as part of the Scottish Scouts 7 Summits Expedition; welcomes the work put into the £2 million centenary 7 on Appeal to help put scouting on a solid footing for the next centenary; is concerned at the difficulties that the major youth organisations have in accessing capital development funding; applauds the increase in membership across all sections of the Scouts in Scotland, and believes that scouting continues to make a major contribution to the development of citizenship and leadership and to life-enhancing opportunities for young people in Scotland and across the world.

Changes to the National Concessionary Travel Scheme— That the Parliament calls on the Scottish Government urgently to review the national concessionary travel scheme to extend eligibility to disabled people in receipt of the lower rate of disability living allowance and to older and disabled people using community transport in rural areas, and to consult on other desirable changes to the scheme

Lerwick - 2007 Fishing Port of the Year— That the Parliament notes that Lerwick Port Authority has won the 2007 Fishing Port of the Year award in the face of competition from the other finalists, Newlyn Pier and Harbour Commissioners, Peterhead Port Authority and Plymouth Sutton Harbour Fisheries; further notes that Lerwick’s success is well-deserved, given the excellent facilities it provides for both the white fish and the pelagic fishing fleets, in recent years leading the way in the introduction of a modern temperature-controlled fish market, an electronic fish auction and deep water berths to match the growing needs of the fishing fleet; believes that the success is the result of the hard work and vision, over many years, of the port authority’s staff and board members and of the many Lerwick businesses that support the fishing industry, and congratulates them on their well-deserved success.

Agri-Environment Agreements— That the Parliament notes that the agri-environment agreements of over 1,000 farmers and crofters have ended or will end this year; notes that the earliest that the new rural development contracts could be open to applicants is the end of the year and that they could be significantly delayed beyond that; further notes that these land managers do not have the option of receiving payments to continue beneficial environmental work this year despite the fact that their single farm payments are modulated; recognises the damage that this may cause to habitats established by these farmers and crofters over the last five to 10 years or longer; acknowledges that this could result in the decline of key species and in reduction of water quality and could create problems in reaching Scotland’s biodiversity and water framework directive commitments; believes that this could affect land managers’ confidence in the new scheme; notes that elsewhere in Europe governments are making payments at their own risk to "tide over" farmers until rural development programmes are approved, and asks the Scottish Government to do all that is legally possible within the EU and UK payment structure to make interim payments to farmers or to open rural development contracts early.

Living Food Festival Success— That the Parliament congratulates the organisers of the second Living Food Festival held in the grounds of Cawdor Castle on Saturday 29 September 2007 as part of Highland Feast; notes the rising demand for local and organic produce that is providing an increased income for a growing cluster of dedicated farmers and growers in the inner Moray Firth area, many of whom were stallholders at the event, and praises the collaboration between Cawdor Estate and the Soil Association and Slow Food Highlands and Moray convivium for whetting the public's appetite for healthy, tasty local food and drink every week in the year.

Congratulations to Home-Start Ross & Cromarty— That the Parliament congratulates Home-Start Ross & Cromarty for its contribution to supporting families in the area for the last 19 years; praises the effectiveness of its volunteers in supporting the welfare of families through early intervention and other strategies, and wishes Home-Start Ross & Cromarty every success for the future.

Colin McRae—That the Parliament expresses its regret at the untimely deaths of Colin McRae, Johnnie McRae, Ben Porcelli and Graeme Duncan in a helicopter crash on Saturday 15 September 2007; recognises in particular the sporting talent of Colin McRae, resulting in him winning the World Rally Championship in 1995; acknowledges his role in promoting Scotland abroad, and joins with many across the world in sending condolences to the three families affected.

Scottish Football Success—That the Parliament congratulates Alex McLeish and the rest of the Scottish football team on their historic victory over France; commends Scotland and Everton striker, James McFadden, on an excellent goal, and wishes Scotland every success in qualifying for the finals of the European championship in 2008.

The Cruiser Varyag— That the Parliament notes the ceremony attended by senior Russian politicians, navy personnel and veterans to remember and commemorate the famous Russian Cruiser, Varyag, which lies off the coast of Lendalfoot, South Ayrshire; welcomes the many Russian visitors who attended the events to mark this important occasion for the Russian nation, including the officers and crew members of the Russian naval vessel, Severomorsk, which has been moored off the Ayrshire coast as part of the celebration; recognises the significant work locally by individuals and organisations that has helped to develop this event over the last two years, most notably by Girvan Horizons and South Ayrshire Council; thanks the people of Lendalfoot and South Carrick for the warm welcome they have given to the many Russian visitors who come to the Varyag memorial, and hopes that this event will continue to grow in stature and prominence over the coming years and serve to strengthen and develop the links of friendship and comradeship between the people of Scotland and Russia.

UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty— That the Parliament supports the UN International Day for Eradication of Poverty on 17 October; notes that promises made in 1970 to devote 0.7% of gross national income to overseas development aid have not been met by the international community; notes that every G8 country except the United Kingdom is off target to meet commitments made at the Gleneagles Summit in 2005 and that the UN Millennium Development Goals are unlikely to be met by 2015; believes that more international action is needed to deliver more and better aid, trade justice, full debt relief and gender equality and to tackle climate change; further notes that millions of people around the world are still united in the fight against global poverty and inequality, and considers that solidarity should be shown through support for participation in the Global Call to Action Against Poverty’s world record attempt on 17 October 2007 for the largest number of people ready to stand up and speak out against poverty and inequality.

Defending the Welfare of Animals— That the Parliament commends the invaluable work done by the Scottish SPCA which, over the last year, has cared for over 12,000 animals in its 12 centres in Scotland, investigated nearly 10,000 incidents of animal cruelty and, through its School Outreach Programme, taught over 22,000 pupils across Scotland about topics ranging from animal cruelty and choosing and looking after pets to animal experimentation and farming; recognises the central role that the Scottish SPCA has played in the formation and implementation of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 which has been seen as bringing the welfare of animals into the 21st century by introducing a duty of care for all animal owners and more severe sentencing for those found guilty of animal abuse, and supports the Scottish SPCA in seeking reassurance from the Scottish Executive that courts are using their full powers under the Act.

1st Methil Girls’ Brigade Success and Gift Aid— That the Parliament warmly congratulates Kirsten Wilson, Shereen Petrie, Jade Turner and Danielle Scobie from 1st Methil Girls’ Brigade for their great achievement in winning a national competition to design t-shirts for the Glasgow 10K road race that took place on 13 May 2007; further congratulates over 400 girls and women who ran the race representing the Girls’ Brigade for their efforts; praises the fundraising efforts of the Girls’ Brigade with over £30,000 already raised through sponsorship and more to be counted; commends the Girls’ Brigade for giving 50% of the proceeds to Cancer Research and for their use of HM Treasury’s Gift Aid Scheme which will see an extra 22% over and above the amounts raised go to both charities, and calls on the Scottish Executive to encourage the take-up of Gift Aid among donors and charities in Scotland.