Sir Menzies Campbell MP has welcomed the High Court ruling condemning the Government’s policy of deporting retired Gurkhas.

Speaking from the High Court after the announcement, Sir Menzies said:

“The Government must honour the spirit of this decision. Brave Gurkha soldiers should not be discriminated against.

“To risk your life for Great Britain surely gives you the right to live here.”

Commenting Menzies Campbell said “It is always great to see people getting involved in volunteering. Their contributions are really valuable to North East Fife and I would urge anyone who has the time to consider volunteering their services on 25th October. Participants between 2 and 105 years old take part in activities which range from baking cakes and knitting toys for a children’s hospice, to transforming waste land into a community garde, teaching IT skills or renovating a homeless shelter – anything which improves local communities”.

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Commenting Menzies Campbell said “The Equitable Life saga has drifted on for far too long making it even worse for its policyholders, many of which are in North East Fife. Liberal Democrats will continue to maintain pressure on the Government to accept the recommendations in the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report. The Ombudsman’s investigation has taken over four years and there is little doubt that government foot-dragging has made a substantial contribution to the repeated delays”.

Menzies Campbell continued “Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling must now accept the Ombudsman’s recommendation that ‘wrongs should be remedied’, admit fault and apologise to policyholders. It is essential that the Government set out a credible, transparent and independent process to enter into a dialogue with policy holders over compensation and ensure that the Ombudsman’s authority is not undermined”.
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Following the extensive flooding witnessed in North East Fife over the past few days, local MP Menzies Campbell and MSP Iain Smith have praised the emergency services and residents for their “swift action” and have called for a full review of North East Fife’s flood plan.

Sir Menzies Campbell MP said, “It was clear from my visit to affected areas in the constituency yesterday (Wednesday) that the amount of water and the damage that ensued had taken most people by surprise. The work of the emergency services and residents alike must be commended for their swift action and the following clear up.

“It is also apparent that there is a need for a full review of North East Fife’s flood plans. We must identify where flood prevention needs bolstering and how residents can be protected in the future.”

Iain Smith MSP said, “The priority is to ensure that all residents affected have any damage to their homes fixed as a mater of urgency. It is imperative that all agencies are doing everything they possibly can to help those affected.”

“By all accounts the emergency services did a very good job during this flooding but it is clear that a full review of flood plans needs to be carried out. Questions need to be asked such as: Is the current flood prevention needing updated? What future measures need to be put in place? Is emergency service cover adequate?

“The areas where flooding has occurred up and down the constituency needs to be identified and evaluated in order to ascertain what more can be done to minimise future disruption and damage.”

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North East Fife Liberal Democrat MP Menzies Campbell is continuing to fight against the closure of the Cupar Driving Test Centre and has again written to Jim Fitzpatrick the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport to press the case for keeping it open.

Menzies Campbell said, “The Minister has informed me that the Cupar Test Centre will close on 30th September 2008 but I am not prepared to accept this without a fight.

“I have called on the Minister to review this decision and to carry out an up-to-date examination of local circumstances which in my view more than justifies keeping the Cupar centre open.”

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Commenting on today’s news, North East Fife’s MSP Iain Smith said, “This is an absolute disgrace. The Royal Mail has clearly ignored the views of the people in North East Fife. Gordon Brown and the Labour Government must take full responsibility as their instructions to the Royal Mail to unnecessarily close post offices have caused this quite unacceptable situation.

“I made a point of stating at the beginning of this consultation period that it should in no way replicate the shambolic consultation which surrounded the St Andrews Post Office last year which only acted as means for the Royal Mail to tell residents of their final plans. Again, it appears that this consultation is little more than a sham.

“It is clear that this is a Government that does not listen and a Royal Mail that has no interest in its customers. Rest assured that we will continue to campaign against this. ”

Sir Menzies Campbell MP said, “What is the point of consultation when the Royal Mail simply plough ahead with their original proposals regardless of public opinion and the undoubted inconvenience which will be caused.

“I am particularly concerned about residents in Lower Largo, Cupar, Guardbridge and in the Scoonie Road area of Leven. In my view there is an overwhelming case for retention of these facilities which has simply been ignored.”

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Commenting, Sir Menzies Campbell MP and Iain Smith MSP said, “We have urged KPMG to do all that they can to keep the mill as a going concern. It is important that the window of opportunity is maintained to give any individual or institution the best possible chance to acquire the business. It is clear that time is of the essence in this instance.

“We would very much like to see the mill continue to make paper as the facilities and people are there for it to do so however, if paper making is no longer an option it is important that every step is taken so that job opportunities are created on site.”

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In a joint statement after the meeting the Parliamentarians said, “We had a constructive meeting with the Cabinet Secretary and his officials. We emphasised our belief that everything should be done to try and preserve the business, and in particular that the Scottish government and Scottish Enterprise should use all their contacts to try to identify potential buyers or investors. We were encouraged by the Cabinet Secretary’s response that he shared that ambition.

“We have arranged to meet the administrators tomorrow (Tuesday) when we will again emphasise the importance of keeping the business going.”

“This is a devastating blow for Guardbridge and the local economy the paper mill has been a major employer for over 100 years and it is deeply concerning that 180 jobs have been lost with immediate effect and another 80 threatened.

“We have contacted John Swinney’s Office to ask for an urgent meeting with the cabinet secretary to discuss what the Scottish Government can do to assist either in keeping the paper mill as a going concern or to assist in finding new jobs for our constituents.

“We will also be seeking an urgent meeting with the administrators KPMG to explore the prospects for salvaging jobs at the mill. Furthermore, we will also be seeking an early meeting with representatives of the work force and are ready to assist wherever possible.”

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North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell today visited Forth Coastguard station at Fife Ness in the constituency to talk to staff about the vitally important work that they do for the fishing industry, shipping and leisure in the Forth coast area.

Sir Menzies has previously highlighted the importance of the services provided by the Coastguard during the course of a debate about the Coastguard Agency in House of Commons. He told his Parliamentary colleagues that for the fishing industry the availability of coastguard cover 365 days of the year was essential for safety and confidence.

Commenting after his visit Sir Menzies said, “The importance of the Coastguard service to all users of the coast and sea is clear. The job they do 365 days a year, round the clock is absolutely vital.

“The skill and dedication of Coastguard officers at Fife Ness, which I have seen today, is remarkable and my whole-hearted thanks go out to them for the vital job which they are doing.”