Read Malcolm's letter to John Swinney the responsible Scottish Government Secretary here >>> Malcolm's recent speeches and work in the Scottish Parliament. Aside from raising concerns over the Leith Biomass Plant , in the last month of the 2009-2010 session I debated the needlessly harsh Tory-Lib Dem Government cuts, argued for minimum pricing for alcohol, and took part in a debate on domestic violence against women in men, and a debate on minimum pricing for alcohol, and took part in an important debate on the impact on children of having parents in prison, and highlighted the work of the Circle project in Pilton.
I have continued to take an interest in NHS Lothian questioning the Scottish Government about NHS spending in the Lothians , debating on how quality can be maintained and improved, and arranged a debate on Lymphoedema and breast cancer services.
Earlier in the 2009-10 session, I challenged the low revenue increase the Scottish Government is giving to Edinburgh, called on the Scottish Govenment to keep dedicated funds for deprived areas of Edinburgh, and took part in a debate on the importance of children's early years and a debate on how home visits from health care workers can help. In December, I took part in the debate on the Scottish Government's spending plans for the coming year, and have called for progress on the Water of Leith flood prevention measures and the need to increase education spending in Edinburgh.
I also commented in the Scottish Parliament on the decision to return Abdelbaset al-Megrahi to Libya. I also raised City of Edinburgh Council's proposals to close schools in Edinburgh North & Leith, and raised the issue over the summer, along with the Water of Leith Flood Prevention Scheme. I have also raised with the First Minister the threat to jobs caused by the decision to print the Evening News in Sunderland.
Towards the end of the 2008-9 session, I spoke in Parliament on a number of issues. Local issues included cuts to Telford College's teaching staff (June 11th), Spartans Community Football Academy (May 28th), Leith Festival (June 3rd), antisocial behaviour in flats on short term holiday lets (twice in April and in June), the role of Community Nurses (June 3rd), and affordable housing (April 29th).
I spoke on national issues including the HBOS - Lloyds TSB merger (May 13th), the Budget and the Economy (April 30th), and the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill (June 24th, May 6th),
I am currently co-convener of the cross-party group on climate change.
Read more about Malcolm's speeches >>> Malcolm takes up the issue of the wood burning Biomass Plant planned for Leith Docks I am carrying out an extensive consultation with my constituents about the proposal for a Biomass plant in Leith and I expect to receive many more representations in the next few weeks. I have however already been made aware of very serious concerns about the proposal and I myself have many serious concerns. I have also asked the Scottish Government a series of questions about the plant in Parliament, which you can read here >>>
Read Malcolm's letter to the Scottish Government's Planning Consent Unit here >>> Malcolm can help with local issues If you have a concern about a local issue - it doesn't matter how local. For example, I have taken up an issue of road safety at Granton Mill Rd and West Granton Rd. I have written to LRT and the City of Edinburgh Council suggesting that the bus stop be moved to the opposite side of the road and to the East where the road is wider.
All of my contact details are to the left, or you can click here to email me >>> read about Malcolm's involvement in the Opening Doors scheme to encourage more people from ethnic minority communites into politics >>>
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