Ming Campbell

Defence Budget and Transformation | Commons debates

Ming Campbell MP — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:49:00 +0000

May I tell my right hon. Friend that this Scottish taxpayer welcomes his statement? I hope he will excuse a moment or two of scepticism on my part, however, because those of us with long memories will have heard similar statements made from the Dispatch Box in the past—under the headings, for example, of “Options for Change” and “Frontline First”. The true test of the quality of this statement will be the extent to which it is achieved. I am delighted to hear that he has embraced the concept of fiscal reality. I hope he will keep it firmly in mind when he comes to consider the future of the Royal Air Force at Leuchars in my constituency.

Defence Budget and Transformation | Commons debates

Ming Campbell MP — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:49:00 +0000

Carrier Strike Capability | Business of the House | Commons debates

Ming Campbell MP — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:22:00 +0000

Is it not abundantly clear that any discomfort or embarrassment the Government may feel is more than outweighed by the fact that the decision the Secretary of State has announced today is right both tactically and strategically? When the sound and fury have died down, that is what will concern those members of the Royal Navy who have the responsibility of looking after these ships and the aircraft that fly from them. Is it not important that today’s announcement will help to close earlier the yawning gap in capability left by the decommissioning of the Harrier aircraft and the carriers from which they were deployed? That shows commendable flexibility on the part of the right hon. Gentleman. I hope he will show the same flexibility in respect of other matters, not least, for example, the role of the Royal Air Force at Leuchars in my constituency.

Campbell calls on Defence Secretary to be “flexible” over RAF Leuchars

Ming Campbell MP — Thu, 10 May 2012 08:14:33 +0000

Liberal Democrat MP for North East Fife Sir Menzies Campbell today (Thursday) intervened in the debate following a statement by Philip Hammond, the Defence Secretary, announcing the government’s decision to order the “jump jet” joint strike fighter for the two aircraft carriers presently under construction. Sir Menzies said that any discomfort or embarrassment which the government might feel in reversing an earlier decision was more than outweighed by the fact that the right tactical and strategic decision was now being made.

Sir Menzies commended the Secretary of State for the “flexibility” he had shown in reversing the government’s previous decision and called on him to show similar “flexibility” over the future of the Royal Air Force at Leuchars.

Speaking after the debate Sir Menzies said “There’s no doubt that the government feels somewhat embarrassed by reversing the decision it took only two years ago but today’s announcement fulfils tactical and strategic requirements and will ensure that the carriers will be available together with the appropriate aircraft at a much earlier date to fill the gap in our defence capability.”

“I took the opportunity to congratulate Philip Hammond on his ‘flexibility’ and called on him to show the same approach to RAF Leuchars. I remain convinced that for security and strategic reasons Leuchars is the best base from which to defend the Northern half of the United Kingdom with the new generation Typhoon aircraft. It is well known that the government has gone back to square one in considering the allocation of bases throughout the UK for all three services. I shall continue to press the case for Leuchars as an RAF base. “

Sir Menzies Encourages the Next Generation of British Olympic Hopefuls

Ming Campbell MP — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:42:28 +0000

1964 Team GB sprinter Sir Menzies Campbell has met 2012 Team GB hopeful Tremayne Gilling as Universities Week gets into full stride. The ‘team mates’ 50 years apart share an almost identical 100m sprint time, with Sir Menzies’ 1967 speed of 10.2 seconds just 0.05 of a second faster than Tremayne’s current personal best of 10.25 seconds.

Sir Menzies, Chancellor of St Andrew’s University and University of Glasgow graduate, held the British record for the 100m sprint from 1967 to 1974. Today Tremayne, Middlesex University product design student, got top tips from Sir Menzies ahead of competing this weekend at the BUCS Visa Outdoor Athletics Championships, a London 2012 test event as part of the London Prepares Series.

As a student, Sir Menzies also took part in inter-university sports competitions, the equivalent of the forthcoming BUCS Visa Outdoor Athletics Championships.
He commented:

“I was often more on the track rather than the library when I went to Glasgow University. When I was 20, I was selected for what was then the British University Sport Federation team to compete in the World Student Games in Sofia in Bulgaria. The relationship between sport and our education can be symbiotic to the benefit of both because my experience certainly was that a lot of the pain of studying was taken away by the knowledge that one would have a quite different kind of activity in the form of training or indeed competing. And a lot of the lessons you learn in sport about personal discipline and commitment have increasing relevance to academic life.” Sir Menzies full interview is available to view http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxK6zn8rc9I&feature=plcp

The BUCS Visa Outdoor Athletics Championships takes place in the Olympic Stadium from 04 – 07 May, with up to 1,200 student athletes from all over the UK competing for glory across 15 disciplines in four days.

1. To find out more about Universities Week visit www.universitiesweek.org.uk or join in with debate on Twitter #UniWeek and #BUCSChamps
2. Sporting stars talking about importance of university careers available for media use from www.youtube.com/universitiesweek2012
3. For media enquires please contact: Sarah Reardon or Susie Dullard on 020 3023 9934 /9035 or email universitiesweek@fourcommunications.com
4. About Universities Week 2012: a partnership by Universities UK, the representative organisation for the UK’s universities, and BUCS (British Universities & Colleges Sport), the national governing body for higher education sport in the UK. It is supported by universities across the UK and a wide range of organisations including Podium, the National Union of Students, Research Councils UK, the Universities Marketing Forum, the Higher Education Funding Council for England and many more.

Clause 17 – The Lord Advocate: Convention rights and Community law | Scotland Bill | Commons debates

Ming Campbell MP — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving way, as I deduced that he was about to conclude. Is it not important to remember that the case of Cadder raised the issue of the right to legal representation and advice for someone in police custody, and that the case of Fraser raised the issue of the responsibility of the prosecuting authorities to make available to the defence all relevant evidence, perhaps to assist the defence in making a stronger case? Given that those are fundamental human rights issues is it not the case that the Supreme Court is exactly the place to determine compatibility?

Clause 17 – The Lord Advocate: Convention rights and Community law | Scotland Bill | Commons debates

Ming Campbell MP — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:45:00 +0000

Many of us in the House would wish to associate ourselves with the very generous and entirely appropriate remarks that the Minister made about Paul McBride. May I put it to the Minister that these amendments are an entirely effective antidote to the ill judged and ill informed comments made about the Supreme Court and its members by Scottish Ministers last summer?

Clause 17 – The Lord Advocate: Convention rights and Community law | Scotland Bill | Commons debates

Ming Campbell MP — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:45:00 +0000

The Minister will recall that the attitude taken, to which both of us have referred, was to suggest that there should be no role of any kind for the Supreme Court in relation to any criminal issue arising out of Scotland. The proposals that he is now arguing for so eloquently represent an effective and entirely acceptable compromise.

Coastguard Station Closure (No. 3)

Ming Campbell MP — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0000

Menzies Campbell has signed EDM2848. Motion reads: "That this House is alarmed by the Government's plans to close coastguard stations at Clyde, Forth, Yarmouth, Thames, Portland, Brixham, Solent, Swansea and Liverpool; notes that this would reduce the number of coastguard stations in the UK from 19 to 10 with aggregate job losses of over 140 and have a negative economic impact on coastal communities; is deeply concerned over the maritime and other safety implications of reducing the number of coastguard stations; recognises that technological advances offer some opportunity for rescues to be co-ordinated from a distance but does not believe that the case has been made by the Government to implement these changes; believes that technology should complement the knowledge of local coastal areas which coastguards possess, not supplant it; and calls on the Government to ensure that no coastguard officer will be made redundant and step back from this hazardous reduction in the number of local coastguard stations."

Brain Tumour Awareness Month And Wear A Hat Day

Ming Campbell MP — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0000

Menzies Campbell has signed EDM2908. Motion reads: "That this House welcomes the fact that March is brain tumour awareness month; notes the e-petition of Livingston resident Rachel Clark which supports the three asks of the Brain Tumour Consortium's manifesto and aims to trigger a parliamentary debate on how the Government can raise awareness and increase funding for those affected by brain tumours; supports Brain Tumour Research and its member charities' Wear a Hat Day 2012; and urges hon. Members and parliamentary staff to Wear a Hat on 30 March to support the charity's important work on behalf of those affected by brain tumours."