McMillan Comments on A78 Meeting

Stuart Mcmillan MSP has commented on last night's meeting with Transport Scotland and AMEY discussing progress on the A78/Inverkip Junction. Inverkip And Wemyss Bay Community Council and others were also in attendance.

Mr McMillan said;

"The meeting was well attended and the community activists and politicians were content that we were fully briefed on the additional work commissioned.

"We were informed that the final report will be published shortly.

"It is clear that Transport Scotland and Amey have listened to the concerns raised by Inverkip and Wemyss Bay Community Council and myself and will continue to do so. Additional measures are required for this junction and with even more development, such as the power station proposals, this will only exacerbate the current infrastructure including the existing junction.

MSP and Councillor Welcome Council Response on Potholes Issue

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) and Ward Councillor Jim Grieve have today (Monday) welcomed a response from Inverclyde Council which indicates the Council's actions to repair road defects in Port Glasgow.

Mr McMillan had written to Inverclyde Council to raise the issue of potholes in Port Glasgow after receiving a number of constituent response to his resident's survey indicating this was an issue which needed addressed.

Mr McMillan said;

"I welcome this response from Inverclyde Council which indicates the actions the Council has and will take to address potholes in Port Glasgow.

"I note from the responses to my residents survey that people are fed up with road defects and the problems this meant for vehicles.

"Therefore, its good news that Inverclyde Council have carried out a scheduled inspection of Port Glasgow Town Centre and they will programme in for attention any defects found."

Cllr Grieve said;

"I know from speaking to constituents, in my ward, the issue of potholes is an important one.

"Therefore, I would encourage people to contact Inverclyde Council and make them aware of any pothole issues they know about."

McMillan Disappointed with UK Government Response on Pleural Plaques

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has today (Monday) made his anger and disappointment known in regard to a response letter he has received from the Minister of Justice stating that the new UK Government will not be overturning the House of Lords judgement on providing compensation for pleural plaques suffers .

In his letter to the Prime Minister, Mr McMillan raised his concerns regarding the lack of action by the previous UK Government to bring forward legislation that would overturn the House of Lords ruling on pleural plaques.

A decision which has been overturned in the Scottish Parliament by MSP's who passed the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill in 2009.

Mr McMillan said;

""I had hoped that this new Government would be responsive to the issue of compensation, as the rights of those in the rest of the UK must be consistent with the rights of those with pleural plaques in Scotland.

"The new Government has announced that it will proceed to implement the limited extra – statutory payments for individuals who had commenced their compensation case prior to the House of Lords decision in October 2007. However, this does not go far enough. There is a responsibility to recognise the role that all those exposed to asbestos contributed to the development of the heavy industries, to shipbuilding, construction and manufacturing in the UK.

"This is an issue that is of great importance, and although I am delighted with the action of the Scottish Parliament in passing Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill, the right to pursue compensation should extend to every individual in the UK who has pleural plaques."

Mr Harry McCluskey, Chair of Clydeside Action on Asbestos stated;

"The rights of anyone who develops pleural plaque are of the utmost importance. It is extremely difficult to explain to someone from England why the UK Government will not support them.

"There is much frustration and disbelief amongst those diagnosed south of the Border as they find it very difficult to comprehend that they cannot pursue compensation, but those diagnosed as a result of exposure in Scotland can. I share their frustration
.
"This charity has campaigned for the rights of people with an asbestos related disease for over 25 years. We are extremely proud of our campaign to restore the right to compensation in Scotland. We had hoped that the example and commitment of the Scottish Government would be reproduced in England and Wales.

"We are now urgently calling on Mr Cameron's Government to listen to the experiences of those diagnosed and reconsider introducing legislation to give people the right to pursue compensation, regardless of where they live."

McMillan Condemns Coalition Over Postal Privatisation Plans

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has today (Thursday), once again, made his concerns known about the UK Government's plans to push through the privatisation of postal services.

Mr McMillan was reacting to news that in a written statement today (Thursday) by Liberal Democrat Minister Ed Davey MP who indicated he was seeking an update of the Hooper report on Postal Services.

Mr McMillan said;

"The previous Labour Government part privatised our postal services and now the path the coalition Government are taking with regard to the Royal Mail will only lead to job losses and a deterioration of services provided to communities.

""There is no logic behind these proposals. Royal Mail cannot be viewed as just another company. It provides an essential public service, to communities such as Inverclyde, and small businesses who do not have access to alternative carriers.

"Over the last three years I have campaigned in for the retention of postal services here in Inverclyde against the privatisation agenda by Labour and now it appears the Con Dem Coalition government.

There is a clear difference in approach to the postal services between governments. The SNP Government have released £1m for a Post Office Diversification fund, whilst at the same time London Government's want to cut the network.

"Privatisation of the Postal Services is the wrong policy being put in place at the worst possible time."

McMillan Welcomes Confirmation of A78 Meeting

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has today (Tuesday) welcomed the news from Transport Scotland that the follow up meeting, with interested parties, to discuss the A78 to take place on Monday 28th June.

The meeting will be a further opportunity to hear about the video study that was undertaken by Amey in March of this year and to find out what progress has been made in relation to road safety on the A78.

Mr McMillan said;

"I welcome the confirmation from Transport Scotland that a further meeting will take place, with interested parties, in connection with the A78 Inverkip Road and road safety.

"As I've said before, this is a campaign which will not rest until real action is taken to address the safety concerns of the many constituents who have contacted my office through the two consultations I undertook with the Inverkip and Wemyss Bay villages.

"Therefore, I am pleased Transport Scotland have arranged a further meeting to discuss the video study and I will be raising a number of issues such as the Bankfoot Roundabout, the traffic lights at Inverclyde Academy and about accidents on this stretch of road."

McMillan Looks Forward to Action Mesothelioma Day

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has today (Friday) lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament supporting the fifth annual Action Mesothelioma Day, which will occur on 2nd July 2010.

Mr McMillan will also be attending the first ever Scottish Patient carers day, hosted by Clydeside Action on Asbestos, on Action Mesothelioma Day.

Mr McMillan said;

"I welcome the fifth annual Action Mesothelioma Day which takes place on Friday 2nd July and I will be attending the first ever Scottish Patient carers day in Glasgow on the same day.

"It's important to raise awareness of the mesothelioma and other asbestos related conditions to highlight what is being done to improve treatment and care.

" I would like to, once again, commend Clydeside Action on Asbestos for all their work in highlighting asbestos related conditions and for their efforts in helping secure the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Act."

McMillan Welcomes Cashback for Communities Funding

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has today (Friday) welcomed the announcement by Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill that grass-roots level athletics, badminton, hockey, squash and tennis will benefit from a £1.5 million investment over the next two years using funds from the Scottish Government's Cashback for Communities initiative.

Cash recovered from the proceed of crime will be used to provide new participation opportunities for more than 10,000 young people across Scotland, and adds to existing sports programmes in football, rugby and basketball.

Mr McMillan commented:

"I am delighted that the Scottish Government is using the money recovered from the proceeds of crime in a positive manner and investing in the health and wellbeing of our communities.

"Athletics, hockey, tennis, badminton and squash are five popular sports that have a common strand - they can make a difference to people's lives.

"Sport contributes to the health and well-being of young people and this investment is an excellent example of how Cashback is making a positive impact. By taking funds from the ill-gotten gains of crime and putting it back into our communities we are making them safer. There will be places for up to 10,000 young people to get involved in these new sports and help steer them away from potentially getting involved with petty crime or drink and drugs."