“The professionalism of the Royal Air Force is only assured by their constant training and preparation for combat.

“The sympathy of the whole North East Fife community will be with the family and friends of the crew of this aircraft.”

ENDS

“The issue in not who runs East Coast main line services but the quality of that service and its reliability. Many of my constituents such as those who commute from North Fife to Edinburgh, St Andrews University students and those stationed at RAF Leuchars, rely on the line as their first choice for public transport.

“It is essential for economic and social reasons that this vital public service be maintained and improved. The Government had no option but to take it into public ownership but this should not become an excuse for poor service and bad time keeping.”

Speaking after the intervention Sir Menzies said:

“The case for a defence review is now overwhelming. It has been 12 years since this Government put forward its defence proposals and since then there has been serious overstretch of our Armed Forces and a continuing failure with regard to procurement. There is a serious imbalance between resources and commitments.

“Only with a defence review will we establish a proper relationship between the financial, military and political elements of defence.

“The Prime Minister declined to answer my question today but sooner or later the Government will have to do so.”

“More and more people working in the private sector are going to find themselves disappointed by the pension provision being made by their employer, with some companies closing certain schemes to new members of staff. The recession is inevitably going to affect pensions but employers should be dissuaded from taking short-term measures which could alter their employees’ pensions in the long-term.

“When the private sector tighten its belt it inevitably puts more pressure on state pensions. The Government must wake up to the fact there is a ticking time-bomb in our pension provision. ”

“The House of Commons has a chance to add its voice to those demanding the Government reverse its decision to hold the Inquiry into Iraq in private.

“By indicating his wish to hold as much as possible of the Inquiry in public, Sir John Chilcot, the Chairman, has made it impossible for the Government to press ahead with an inquiry conducted behind closed doors. Only the most sensitive information should be heard in private. The abiding principle should be that Government embarrassment and the national interest are two entirely separate issues.

“Given the nature of the Inquiry and the issues it will be examining it is vital that someone with a military background is present on the Inquiry. From the very start the Iraq war was politicised and highly controversial so it is my belief there should be a political appointment to the Committee also.

“The public have lost confidence in Parliament. This is a chance for a fresh start.”

In his letter Sir Menzies states that like his colleague Iain Smith MSP he was “taken aback” at the news of a fresh application in the Leuchars Post Office so soon after a similar proposal was rejected.

Sir Menzies said:

“As you know planning legislation does not permit fresh applications for development where circumstances are unchanged until a prescribed period of time has passed. Should not there be a similar provision in relation to pharmacy applications so that local communities do not find themselves engaged in a constant round of such applications?”

He concluded:

“Unless there is a material change of circumstances or a gap in provision would not a two year moratorium be appropriate?”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The text of the letter to Nicola Sturgeon MSP.

Like many people in North East Fife, including my colleague Iain Smith MSP, I am taken aback to say the least that there should be a fresh application for a pharmacy in the Leuchars Post Office in my constituency so soon after a similar proposal was rejected.

As you know planning legislation does not permit fresh applications for development where circumstances are unchanged until a prescribed period of time has passed. Should not there be a similar provision in relation to pharmacy applications so that local communities do not find themselves engaged in a constant round of such applications? Unless there is a material change of circumstances or a gap in provision would not a two year moratorium be appropriate?

I would be grateful for your comments.

Yours sincerely

Menzies Campbell

I have attached a table below that outlines my own parliamentary expenditure for the financial year 2008-2009.

As ever, if any of my constituents wish to discuss this matter with me feel free to get in touch.

* IEP – Incidental Expenses Provision – Running of Constituency and Parliamentary offices.
** ACA – Additional Costs Allowance. Commonly known as “Second Home Allowance”

Sir Menzies Campbell MP has called the Prime Minister’s announcement that the independent inquiry into the Iraq war will be held in private a “disappointing response to a catastrophic foreign policy decision”.

Speaking in the chamber of the House of Commons this afternoon (Monday), Sir Menzies questioned the Prime Minister.

He said:

“I profoundly regret the nature of the inquiry he has announced. It is a disappointing response to a catastrophic foreign policy decision.

“Can the Prime Minister confirm whether witnesses will be compelled to attend the inquiry and if the will be under oath when giving evidence?

“Finally, may I ask if the millions of people who marched against the war can be satisfied by the inquiry given that it will meet in private, even when the natural interest does not require it?”

Speaking afterwards Sir Menzies said:

“The Prime Minister was unable to answer any question about witnesses being put under oath. The Government clearly wants this inquiry to be as much below the radar before the next general election as it can manage.”

ENDS

“Since Michael Martin announced his intention to stand down I have been considering whether I should be a candidate in the election to replace him.

“My taste for active politics is undiminished and my priority remains my constituency of North East Fife including being Chancellor of St Andrews University. At Westminster I retain my particular interests in foreign affairs and defence, and security issues. I value my membership of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Intelligence and Security Committee. I have no wish to alter that priority or to give up these interests. Accordingly I will not be a candidate in the forthcoming election for Speaker.”

ENDS

During the Second World War Lady Rachel MacRobert donated money to the RAF so that they could buy a Stirling bomber after losing her three sons (two of whom died in action). The campaign seeks to commemorate her links with Fighter Command and is calling on the RAF to name one of its new Eurofighters “MacRobert Spirit – Not for Self But For Country” which is the MacRobert family motto.

Commenting, Sir Menzies said:

“This is a story steeped in history, sacrifice and honour. I have no doubt that this generation of fighter pilots would be proud to serve their country flying an aircraft which carried the MacRobert motto.

“Scottish sons and daughters have made a distinguished contribution to the RAF over the decades and this would be a fitting commemoration to all of them.”

ENDS