Pauline McNeill MSP

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Dear Constituent

As many of you are no doubt aware, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament. As party spokesperson on the Constitution, I participated in a panel session which included Tom Devine, James Mitchell, Alex Neil and Tavish Scott, at an event organised by the Hansard Society at Dynamic Earth to celebrate ten years of devolution.

As Party spokesperson on External Affairs, I opened and closed the debate on Scotland's Engagement in the USA and Canada. It is important that events such as Scotland Week are seen as an opportunity to grow Scotland's economic potential by promoting the existing cultural and historical links with the USA and Canada and using them to Scotland’s maximum advantage.

In Glasgow Kelvin, I attended the Hepatitis C/Drugs Awareness Event at Glasgow University. The event was also attended by Radio 1’s newsbeat and involved speaking to young people about the dangers of drug use and Hepatitis C. I also attended the Irn Bru Scottish Curry Awards in Glasgow and it was terrific to see the city’s thriving Indian restaurant sector pick up so many awards. I have lodged a motion in Parliament acknowledging Glasgow’s and Glasgow restaurateurs’ contribution to the Indian restaurant sector in Scotland.

I was pleased to hear than Glasgow Housing Association have taken such strong action against drug dealers and the misery they cause. This is a crucial part in the battle against drugs in our communities. Another scourge on our Communities is knife crime, and along with my Labour colleagues in the Scottish Parliament I am calling for minimum sentences for knife criminals. Communities in Glasgow know the real human damage knives can cause. We need a change in sentencing policy to try to change the culture of carrying a knife. If you carry a knife you have committed the crime and you will get time. (further information under Latest News)

Back in Parliament, the AGM of the Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Palestine allowed me to update the group on my recent visit to Gaza, as well as Amnesty International providing us with a Presentation on the issue of Human Rights.

I also spoke in the Labour Party Debate on Student Hardship. All parties in Scotland should take this opportunity to work together to tackle student hardship, using available resources to focus on increasing student support to £7000 for the poorest students.

Finally, I have lodged a number of other motions in Parliament recently, the most recent welcoming the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships to Scotstoun. I also lodged a motion congratulating the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which as well as welcoming it six millionth visitor since it reopened less than three years ago, has been shortlisted for the £100,000 Art Fund Prize, the UK’s largest art prize.

On an issue of concern, I also lodged a motion regarding the Scottish Government’s intention to put an end to advertising public notices in newspapers. This will adversely affect many local newspapers as well as making public notices less accessible. I also had the opportunity to ask the Minister concerned about these plans at Themed Question Time.