This Week in Westminster

9 May 2008

First up on this week’s agenda was a weekly meeting with the Ministerial team at the Department of Work and Pensions to discuss various issues that have arisen in the Department.

As well as continuing with casework, Gordon in the evening met with Don Jackson, Chief Executive of Vector Aerospace to discuss their takeover of the former DARA facility in Almondbank in Gordon’s constituency.

On Tuesday, Gordon met early with Special Advisors and other Parliamentary Private Secretaries to discuss issues in the Department for Work and Pensions.

Gordon also took the opportunity to question Justice Minister, Bridget Prentice over the reform of Legal Aid.  Gordon uncovered that the Legal Services Commission (LSC) has successfully delivered the first phase of reform, and has introduced new fixed and graduated fees covering most areas of civil, family and criminal legal aid.

Next up was a meeting of the Regulatory Reform Committee which this week heard evidence from the TUC and the National Consumer Council on ways to reduce the regulatory burden on UK Business.

It was also the first evidence session of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Land Maintenance to which Gordon serves as Secretary.  The group took evidence from a constituent in Gordon’s constituency who has been caught up in a dispute with a Land Maintenance Company.  The group also heard from Patricia Ferguson MSP who is currently taking a factoring bill through the Scottish Parliament.

In the afternoon, Gordon moved on to attend the All Party Parliamentary Group on Scotch Whisky which went on to discuss issues affecting the industry.

Gordon then accompanied James Purnell to meet with the Women’s Committee of the Parliamentary Labour Party.

On Wednesday, Gordon took up his regular seat at Prime Minister’s Questions before attending the Scottish Public Service Broadcasting Review where he asked what Ofcom were doing to learn from our European neighbours to strengthen to role of regional television.

Thursday and Gordon was in the Chamber for DEFRA Question Time when he asked about the UK’s ability to recycle Polyethylene Terephthalate. When the Minister Joan Ruddock MP answered saying that the UK was strong in this area, Gordon then challenged the Minister as to why businesses in his constituency such as Highland Spring were unable to secure a stable enough supply to help them reduce their environmental footprint.

The Minister then undertook to investigate the position that Highland Spring find themselves in.

Gordon then returned to his Scotland to carry on constituency business including a meeting with Provost Derek Stewart.

On Friday, Gordon attended the official launch of Pathways to Work in Forth Valley in which Triage are charged to address through the new Government package the reduction of people off Incapacity Benefit.

This has been really successful in achieving its aims elsewhere in the UK and the benefits that it can deliver to Forth Valley should not be underestimated.

Later Gordon met with local Triage management to discuss local casework and the interaction and support that Triage deliver to those seeking to improve their situations in Clackmannanshire.

A meeting the followed with Gordon in his role as Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Coeliac Disease and Dermatitis Herpetiformis and Dr Sally Beattie of Lazy Day Foods who are a manufacturer of Gluten, Diary, Wheat and Egg free foods.

At the end of the day Gordon met with Clackmannanshire Council leader Janet Cadenhead to discuss issues of mutual interest.