October Column

Written by Malcolm Bruce MP and published in Online Diary on Mon 16th Oct 2006

************Forces bonus no substitute for political leadership********************

After the too long summer recess the House of Commons finally returned last week. There were, of course, calls for the recall of the House during the recess but these were resisted by the Government.

It was especially unfortunate that the pounding of Lebanon happened when the house was in recess.

The reluctance of the Prime Minister and the Government to call for a ceasefire - apparently to placate the White House - generated real anger and many calls and letters to my office.

Hundreds of Lebanese civilians were killed and thousands were displaced or made homeless. Lebanon has been recovering from its civil war. Many donors, including the UK, have contributed to the process and the rebuilding of infrastructure.

Yet, in a few short weeks much of this was destroyed by Israeli artillery - some of which we may have supplied.

Not only is the Government compromised on its policy over the Lebanon, but the head of the army suggests we need to leave Iraq sooner rather than later and there is serious disagreement about the role we are fulfilling in Afghanistan.

Protecting the civilian population in Afghanistan and helping to build a society that can resist the Taliban may be justified but the invasion of Iraq has weakened international support and more seriously overstretched our forces so that instead of protecting the population we are forced to "go after the Taliban" with consequently heavier casualties.

Our forces certainly deserve their bonus for the situation into which they have been placed but what they really require is political leadership that recognises the need to balance diplomacy with force and does ask too much of our armed forces.

*******************New technology brings deaf people to the movies*********************

Last week I had the privilege of attending two important events for the deaf community. I was asked to present an award for the young film critic of the year sensory impaired category.

Malcolm presenting Emily from Wetherby with her award at the young film Critic Awards 2006

The event took place at the Odeon, Leicester Square the venue for so many gala first nights.

Film is a great medium for deaf and hard of hearing people because it is so visual. But until recently deaf people had to wait for many months after films had gone on general release before they were able to see subtitled versions.

In the last twelve months or so new digital technology has been installed in a growing number of cinemas which mean deaf people can see new releases at the same time as their hearing compatriots and take part in the crits of them.

So, I expect in future there will be many more entries into the annual competition from deaf youngsters.

The other event, which took place on the same day at the BBC's Broadcasting House, was the twentieth birthday party for BBC TV programme "See, Hear" which is presented by and for deaf people with extensive use of sign language interpretation.

This is the kind of programme, which deaf people really appreciate and would like to see more of. Under the new Broadcasting Regulation there is a rising quota for sign language and there may be scope for a digital channel which could provide more sign presented programmes for the deaf community.

*******************Problem behaviour more perceived than real***********************

During my summer tour I had a number of representations expressing concern at what people perceived as a growing number of acts of vandalism and anti social behaviour in several communities across Gordon.

The Chief Constable has stated that statistically the problem is not very great but accepts there is a perception of a problem.

Discussions with the local police confirm that we are not facing a crime wave in rural areas. The issue is partly about perception and partly about the quality of life.

I visit schools across the area and generally can confirm that we are pretty free of the problems that afflict other areas.

Most of our young people are engaged and questioning. I have suggested there may be scope for more interaction involving the community police, the schools and the council to ensure mutual understanding and a recognition that what is just high spirits and a little too much alcohol can be a real nuisance if it leads to excessive late night noise, vandalism or brawling.

I am happy, however to keep it in perspective and celebrate the high quality of life we generally enjoy in Aberdeenshire.

************************Huntly looks up as a shopping centre*******************

My family and I visited the new farmer's market in Huntly on its first day and gained the impression it was quite a success for both the stallholders and the customers.

Since Asda and Tesco opened a few months ago there has been concern at the potential impact on the town and the new farmer's market is one of several initiatives -supported by the supermarkets - to encourage more people into the centre of Huntly.

It seems to be working and I hope that the numbers who came out to the first market and enjoyed buying the local produce will grow as the months go by.

I also attended Tesco's first presentation at the Huntly store of computers for schools which clearly brought a smile to the faces of children from half a dozen schools in and around Huntly.

Of course, there are questions about the way supermarkets may change the pattern of a town but they are clearly popular and it appears that, if anything Asda and Tesco are attracting shoppers to Huntly who previously went to Inverurie and Elgin.

There will be winners and losers and it will take time to see whether the interest in Huntly as a shopping centre brings new business to the town. There are signs of other possible interests. Perhaps the future of Boyd's shop in the square will be a determinant of how things may change.

What has happened to Huntly may soon be repeated in Ellon where Tesco will be opening a store in the next few months.

***********************Trade and immigration raised in first week*********************

The first week back gave me two opportunities to intervene in the House. At Scottish Questions, I asked Scottish Minister David Cairns for assurances that those who have come into the country under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme will be treated fairly after a recent decision that migrants who were originally told they would have a right to permanent residence after four years were now being informed they would have to wait five years.

This has been drawn to my attention by constituents directly affected.

I'm concerned that those skilled migrants who entered the country and were told they could be eligible for permanent residence after four years and will now have to wait for five years are being effectively misled. The Government's decision to make this new waiting period applicable retrospectively will have limited impact on the Government's figures but will have a far greater impact on the lives of those skilled migrants who will have to put their lives on hold for another year. To be told one thing on entering the country and then have the goalposts moved is frankly unfair.

I have already made representations to the Home Office and I am calling on the Scotland Office to pursue this matter and to make sure that those who applied for a four year time limit will be allowed to qualify for it. In doing so it will put at rest the minds of those workers at risk, who have made a much appreciated contribution to the Scottish economy.

I also led a debate on the International Development Committee's report on the Doha round of trade talks that were supposed to deliver a trade deal to benefit the poorest countries. These are now suspended and prospects are not good.

The deeply depressing reality is that protectionism in Europe and America has proved the stumbling block to what was supposed to be a "round for free" for poor countries - meaning that they would get access to our markets without having to offer concessions in their own.

They would also get assistance in the form of aid for trade to enable them to compete in the longer term in freer markets.

No amount of aid will loft these countries out of poverty if they do not even have the chance to develop trade in their own and neighbouring country markets without being dumped on by developed country subsidies.

Malcolm Bruce at Make Poverty History rally

They also need the chance to develop over time markets in the rich countries that will give them a chance to grow their economic base.

Without a fair deal on trade we will never Make Poverty History.