Scourge of drug abuse must be fought at all times
Published: 30 April, 2008
LAST week in the Scottish Parliament, I had a series of meetings to work on the drugs strategy which I hope will be launched next month.
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Government means business on rates
Published: 02 April, 2008
SMALL businesses are the backbone of Badenoch and Strathspey, and many have been in family hands for decades, if not longer.
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Graduates face better financial future
Published: 05 March, 2008
THE Scottish Government changed the law earlier this week to end the payment of the graduate endowment by students.
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A vote against budget would be foolish!
Published: 30 January, 2008
THE SNP Government achieved a milestone – the approval, albeit by 64 votes to 62, of our budget – in the Scottish Parliament last week.
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Way forward for control rooms
Published: 12 December, 2007
THE Scottish Government announced we will not take any central action to reduce the number of fire and rescue control rooms.
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Movement is on a scouting mission
Published: 24 October, 2007
FIRST Minister Alex Salmond receives hundreds of invitations to attend functions and events throughout Scotland. Those he cannot attend are often passed on to other Ministers and so it was that I deputised for him at the Royal Yacht Britannia.
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Age move bids to tackle problem of young smokers
Published: 19 September, 2007
THIS week in the Scottish Parliament, my colleague Shona Robison MSP, Minister for Public Health, moved to raise the legal minimum age for buying cigarettes from 16 to 18.
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Salute for crofters and farmers in the north
Published: 08 August, 2007
THE summer months are here and for many it's a time to unwind and relax.
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New role, new seat, new session
Published: 27 June, 2007
RECENTLY in Holyrood, I occupied the Minister's seat on the front bench for the first time, taking part in no fewer than three debates: crime in general and our plans for tackling it and its causes; on treatment of sex offenders; and on who is responsible for rescuing people from rivers.
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Annabel rings warning note as Holyrood begins afresh
Published: 16 May, 2007
DURING the election campaign I had some lively and on occasion unusual discussions.
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Sticking up for the wee guy
Published: 14 March, 2007
THIS week my party used our debating time in the Scottish Parliament to emphasise two policies.
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Calling for a degree of interest in the great outdoors
Published: 07 February, 2007
GLENMORE Lodge is Scotland's outdoor centre. It provides a place for experts in mountaincraft, winter skills and outdoor pursuits to meet work exchange ideas, and for Scotland's children to have the best leadership and instruction.
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Time for Questions on Forth crossing
Published: 03 January, 2007
JUDGING from the coughing and spluttering, many MSPs in the Chamber, including yours truly, have been struggling with flu, colds and worse.
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Sceptical about road pricing
Published: 22 November, 2006
ROAD pricing has been put forward as a policy by both Labour and the Lib Dems. The 'pay as you go' method of paying for road transport is promoted as having a number of potential benefits.
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No time for complacency
Published: 20 September, 2006
OVER the summer months I visited many Highland Games and agricultural shows.
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Fuel tax is killing Scots businesses
Published: 23 August, 2006
A POLITICIAN should function like a barometer, as an instrument for measuring the pressure of public opinion at any given time. There is no doubt that the political mercury level is rising in measuring the public concerns about the cost of fuel.
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Case shows that system has failed the public
Published: 19 July, 2006
THE disturbing case of David Penman was first highlighted in a Sunday newspaper at the end of June.
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Consensus needed on transport
Published: 21 June, 2006
MEMBERS' Business debates take place at 5pm every Wednesday and Thursday.
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