The Rt Hon Malcolm Bruce MP

November Column (2)

************************************Remembrance more poignant than ever******************************

Remembrance Sunday has become once again a more important and sombre day than was the case just a few years ago when people were asking how much longer it would last.

This is hardly surprising given the death toll of our armed forces in controversial engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq.

This year I attended the ceremony in Aberdeen, the first time I have done so for ten years when the Gordon constituency boundaries last included a significant part of the city.

The format of the ceremony is unchanging with wreath laying, the two minutes silence, the last post and piper's lament at the war memorial followed by a service in St Nicholas Church, the Mither Kirk, as it likes to be known.

The Reverend Stephen Taylor gave a thought provoking address reminding us that, whereas at the beginning of the last century, only ten per cent of the victims of war were civilians and even during the last World war the civilian casualties were fifty per cent, in today's wars ninety per cent of the victims are civilians - mostly women and children.

This really brings home sharply the questionable justification of war and the awful responsibility that falls on world leaders who chose to initiate an invasion.

We are seriously under-resourced in Afghanistan and mired in a mess in Iraq that has destroyed George Bush's viability as President.

This is an unhappy background for our troops and their families who probably represent the mix of opinions on these wars that characterises the civilian population.

To my mind that makes remembering the sacrifices made even more poignant and one that I never miss be it in the City or in towns and villages all around the constituency.

************************************Challenges face local education*****************************************

I regularly visit primary and secondary schools to talk about my work as an MP and to talk about wider issues such as international development or what happens to be on the Modern Studies curriculum.

There are some real concerns about education in Aberdeenshire, which I hope will prove short lived as generally I find the level of engagement and interest and the atmosphere and quality of our schools to be impressive.

I am aware of shortages of teachers in some subjects that are causing pressure in the timetable although the decision of some parents to seek private tuition is not typical.

The Scottish Executive claim that overall there is not a shortage of teachers but some subjects and some localities have a problem. That in itself is reason for ensuring that there is adequate geographical and subject provision to meet the need in teacher training.

It also underpins the need for Aberdeenshire to have a Director of Education fit to meet the challenge.

The departure of the last incumbent has clearly been a source of embarrassment - not least because for what appear to be legal and contractual reasons neither party is able to comment.

However, it happens in both the private and public sector that a senior appointment does not work out and contracts are terminated. I do not accept the arguments of those who want to make political mischief as I understand that all political groups on the council agreed first to the appointment and then to its termination.

That being the case, what is now required is to find someone who can meet the challenge of covering the shortfalls and maintaining morale and standards in our schools. I wish the council well in their search.

***********************************Flybe uncertainty may be precursor to growth*************************************

The sell-off of BA Connect by British Airways to flybe has caused some uncertainty amongst BA staff based in Aberdeen. In terms of the existing staffing levels BA has indicated that there is likely to be a reduction in staffing requirements.

However flybe have ambitious development plans which could greatly increase their staffing requirements out of Aberdeen. Common sense dictates that flybe should take over the skills they will inherit and seek more rather than allow a hiatus to develop.

Meanwhile, Aberdeen planners have to make a decision on Aberdeen Airport's application to extend the runway. The recommendation is in favour in spite of a number of objections.

Although I believe we have to address the issue of the unlimited expansion of air travel I have said before in this column I don't think Aberdeen is the place to start with that case.

There are some good neighbour issues for houses under the flight path that have to suffer more late, early and through the night movements and they should be compensated with provision for extra sound insulation.

Nevertheless until we have high speed trains to the south (i.e. when hell freezes over) air travel will be crucial to Aberdeen's links with the rest of the UK and Europe.

*****************************************Independence claims like snow off a dyke*************************************

Claims that there is an upsurge of support for Scottish independence do not seem to be matched by the feeling on the ground. There is dissatisfaction with politics in general and with our political leaders in particular which may encourage people to tell pollsters they favour independence but it does not appear high on their list of priorities.

I am suspicious to of polls commissioned and conducted to produce a given result. Faced with the questions do I want (a) to abolish the Scottish parliament or (b) keep it is at is or (c) choose independence I would feel they met none of my requirements.

I am a federalist and want further powers and a transfer of a share of taxes collected in Scotland and as an ordinary citizen might opt for (c) as the closest to my aspirations. I would actually say "none of the above" and my preference would be eliminated.

The second claim is that 80 per cent of the Scottish people want a referendum on independence. That I absolutely refute. The claim is based on a reply to the question how do you think the issue of independence might best be resolved? In other words if the issue has to be tested do you prefer a referendum to a simple vote at the Scottish parliament or Westminster or, extremely, an insurrection?

These febrile claims of an upsurge of nationalism and support for independence tend to evaporate like snow off a dyke in the warm winds of spring. They rarely survive until May.

*********************************Forlorn hopes of peace in the Holy Land**********************************

Last week I spent a sobering few days in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Israel where the prospects for peace seem bleaker than ever.

Israel feels weakened and threatened and regards any proposal for confidence building moves that might move the process forward as a threat to its security.

Although the number of suicide bomb attacks has been reduced Kassam missiles are fired from Gaza into Israel every day. Responding to this led to the tragedy of shelling a house with sleeping civilians, killing women and children.

Israel said it was a technical and regrettable mistake but this happens too often to be credible. At best, discipline and restraint among their front line troops is too often lacking.

The committee is looking at the humanitarian situation following the boycott of the Palestinian Authority by Israel and the international community since the election of Hamas.

We found health care was in crisis with all emergency rooms on the West Bank closed last week because of strikes by public sector workers who have not been paid since March.

We also found that access to and provision of public services and the functioning of the private sector economy were sharply down because of severe restrictions on access and movements of people and goods, which predates the election but has increased since.

Bethlehem, although accessible from Jerusalem is now surrounded by a wall and sees few visitors. We had a meeting in a five star hotel that should be fully booked for Christmas but is running at 2 per cent occupancy despite low prices.

The security fence and the ghetto-isation of the West Bank by Israeli settlements make the present aspiration to a two state solution not credible.

Settlements are environmentally unsustainable taking most of the water and sending waste water and sewerage down from the hilltops to the Palestinian settlements below.

The Palestinians are not allowed to drill wells are often denied access to their own lands because of security rings for the settlements and are sometimes attacked by settlers as they try to pick their olives.

Suicide bombings and missile attacks are unacceptable and counter productive. They give the Israelis the excuse to build a security fence well inside Palestinian territory and to restrict movements.

Nevertheless absolute security is unobtainable and a peace agreement would increase the prosperity of both communities and isolate the extremists on both sides. As it is, frustration is strengthening them.

If there is to be a change of policy in Iraq it should, in my view, be accompanied with positive new initiatives in Israel and Palestine.

************************************Let's build on Fairtrade success********************************

Congratulations to Ellon on becoming a Fairtrade town. I was happy to attend the launch of the campaign and only sorry I couldn't be at the successful outcome, although I am delighted that my colleague Nora Radcliffe was there.

Fairtrade is a positive way in which individuals can help reduce poverty in developing countries.

It is not the overall answer which requires a trade and development agreement that the EU and the USA have effectively blocked.

Nor is it the case that supermarkets are necessarily an obstacle to helping poor countries into our markets.

The fair trade movement needs more information on products in addition to the Fair trade brand that will help consumers who want to help poor producers make a discerning choice.

This is something I hope the International Development Committee will look into.