The Rt Hon Malcolm Bruce MP

January Column

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Books Abroad has potential to double its reach

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I enjoyed visiting the premises of Books Abroad in Rhynie just before Christmas. This is a local charity which I have been pleased to be associated almost since its foundation more than 25 years ago.

Books Abroad is mostly dependent on dedicated local volunteers and has now delivered more than 2 million books to developing countries around the world.

Fund-raising from their 25th anniversary has kept it in good shape but there are challenges ahead as for all charities.

What impressed me is how well organised Books Abroad are to trying to meet the real needs of schools, colleges and other groups. There is clear recognition that the books are of real value whether it is for improving English or providing basic knowledge, science and practical information.

When I arrived a large truck was being loaded with pallet loads of books for Cameroon and volunteers were keen to tell me of the challenges and rewards.

With more resources in cash and in kind Books Abroad has the capacity to more than double its activities so if you know of any local trust or philanthropist who want to help I know they would make good use of any contribution.

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Family enjoyed Inverurie panto (Oh yes they did!)

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My family spent a very traditional run up to Christmas with carols around the village Christmas tree and a Christmas Eve visit to the Inverurie panto, Cinderella (Oh Yes we did!).

The local panto has changed a bit over the years but is every bit both a professional and a local production with all the usual local jokes and the right mix of song and dance for all ages while keeping the story moving on.

Certainly my three children enjoyed it and joined in with gusto and encouraged their parents and grandparents to do the same

I was also pleased to learn from some of the shops I visited that many were able to report healthy Christmas sales. Whether that will continue into the New Year remains to be seen but it seems so far the recession hasn't bitten too deeply here.

Clearly the demise of Woolworths, Adams, Whittards and others is an indication of the pressure of recession on retailing. Let us hope more independent retailers can fare better.

Inverurie is certainly pulling business from Aberdeen and the coming new retail developments are likely to add to its attraction.

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Neighbours an issue for Israel and Zimbabwe

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As Chairman of the International Development Select Committee I naturally take a close interest in what is happening in poor and developing countries, especially those I have had the opportunity to visit.

The deteriorating situation in Palestine and Zimbabwe are particularly worrying as it's the weak - especially woman and children - who suffer the most.

Israel has suffered sustained provocation of rocket attacks launched from within Gaza. Hamas has also reportedly prevented the injured from leaving for treatment and clearly want to use the images of casualties to maximise sympathy for their cause.

Nevertheless, it is hard to justify the scale and violence of Israel attacks which are disproportionate in scale and can only serve to strengthen support for Hamas, deepen divisions within the Palestinian community and make a peace solution an even more remote possibility - but perhaps that is the intention.

The plight of ordinary Palestinians is dire and getting worse. Israel has from its inception been threatened with destruction by it neighbours and this has characterised its behaviour. The international community which created Israel feels obliged to provide uncritical support.

Yet blockading Gaza, bombing it to destruction and restricting access and movement across the West Bank while supporting the growth of illegal settlements which receive special privileges from Israel as occupying power at the expense of Palestinians, is not justified or conducive to peace.

If Israel needs peaceful neighbours to enable them to flourish, it is arguable that Zimbabwe's neighbours are beginning to share responsibility for the suffering of the Zimbabwean people.

Robert Mugabe is clearly not living in the real world and either doesn't know what is going on or doesn't care.

The economy of a once prosperous, if unequal, state has totally collapsed. People are dying in their hundreds or even thousands of cholera and millions have fled the country altogether, causing problems for their neighbours.

So far leaders in Botswana, Zambia and Kenya have called for the removal of Mugabe and his followers but crucially South Africa has been equivocal.

Many commentators in southern Africa seem to believe that the collapse of Zimbabwe is some kind of Euro-American plot. This is arrant nonsense, Zimbabwe's problems lie within but the suffering people need release and expect their neighbours to help.

A new regime in the country would not only allow the economy to be rebuilt but would give a massive boost to development across the whole of southern Africa. Indeed, nothing would do more to reduce poverty in Africa than the reconstruction of Zimbabwe.

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Oil price and exchange rate make for uncertain future

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For the local economy uncertainty over the oil price and the exchange rate will have a real effect on future business prospects.

For companies importing goods and services clearly costs are soaring. For exporters the situation is potentially more attractive as the pound heads for parity with the Euro and drifts against the dollar.

Clearly the impact of these shifts will vary from company to company but there will be general nervousness within the oil and gas sector of oil prices below $40, although it is not that long ago that $40 a barrel was regarded as a healthy price.

I hope that companies can maintain activity as this will not only be good for our local economy but in the long run will ensure a good return from the new discoveries in a few years' time when prices seem certain to rise again as a recovering economy outstrips the supply of affordable oil.

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Welcome revamp for Glendronach

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I am delighted to read of plans to revamp Glendronach distillery and the whisky brand, which is popular among visitors to my house. The distillery was bought recently by Ben Riach and the company has announced a £250,000 development which will revamp the distillery centre and accommodation and promote the brand.

Over the years I have visited the distillery and joined in some of its celebrations and shared the disappointment when it has been mothballed and the visitor centre has been reduced or closed.

Its revitalisation will be a boost for West Gordon.

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New rail services attract passengers

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Just a footnote to my item last time about the need for a proper survey of potential for improved rail services which reinforces my case. The new Alloa line was predicted to carry 155,000 passengers. In fact it carried 400,000. Proof if it was needed that new rail services attract new passengers.

Transport Scotland and ministers, please take note.