That the Parliament welcomes the recent application to the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission by the relatives of victims of the Lockerbie atrocity and of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi; notes that a dying Abdelbaset al-Megrahi abandoned his appeals in 2009 as he believed it would assist in returning him home; notes that evidence from that second appeal was therefore never heard, and considers that this application, if successful, would allow, after some 29 years since the horrendous crime, everyone, and most importantly the families of the victims, the opportunity to have all the available evidence tested in court.
Current Status:
That the Parliament welcomes the recent application to the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission by the relatives of victims of the Lockerbie atrocity and of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi; notes that a dying Abdelbaset al-Megrahi abandoned his appeals in 2009 as he believed it would assist in returning him home; notes that evidence from that second appeal was therefore never heard, and considers that this application, if successful, would allow, after some 29 years since the horrendous crime, everyone, and most importantly the families of the victims, the opportunity to have all the available evidence tested in court.
Supported by: Neil Findlay, John Finnie
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That the Parliament understands that 45% of cats in Scotland are not microchipped, compared with the UK average of 32%; supports microchipping and neutering of cats as a safe and permanent method of identification to help reunite cats with their owners and to prevent unwanted litters; welcomes the Cats Protection campaign, Snip & Chip, to help low-income cat owners across Edinburgh and Lothians have their cats neutered and microchipped; commends the charity on its work across Scotland in microchipping more than 2,600 cats and neutering over 12,000 in 2016, and believes that all cat owners across Scotland would benefit just like Mr Smokey, who lives in the Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale constituency, from neutering and microchipping.
Current Status:
That the Parliament understands that 45% of cats in Scotland are not microchipped, compared with the UK average of 32%; supports microchipping and neutering of cats as a safe and permanent method of identification to help reunite cats with their owners and to prevent unwanted litters; welcomes the Cats Protection campaign, Snip & Chip, to help low-income cat owners across Edinburgh and Lothians have their cats neutered and microchipped; commends the charity on its work across Scotland in microchipping more than 2,600 cats and neutering over 12,000 in 2016, and believes that all cat owners across Scotland would benefit just like Mr Smokey, who lives in the Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale constituency, from neutering and microchipping.
Supported by: Murdo Fraser, Emma Harper, Ivan McKee, Joan McAlpine, Miles Briggs, Clare Haughey, Fulton MacGregor, Jackie Baillie, Colin Beattie, Elaine Smith, John Mason, Stewart Stevenson, David Torrance, Colin Smyth, Clare Adamson
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That the Parliament notes the continued use of stink pits, which are also known as middens, as part of the predator control regime on shooting estates in the Scottish Borders and elsewhere; understands that these are pits or piles of animal carcasses that are left to decompose so that the smell will attract foxes and other predators into snares placed around them; believes that the dead animals found in these pits recently have included foxes, deer, whole salmon, pink-footed geese, pheasants, rabbits, mountain hares and domestic cats; considers that killing and dumping animals, including protected species and domestic pets, to rot and act as bait to trap other animals, is inhumane and fundamentally disrespectful to the creatures; believes that current use goes beyond good practice in many instances; notes the view that it is necessary to assess the justification for permitting their use when the disposal of farm livestock is strictly controlled, when the extent to which their use is associated with the killing of protected species and domestic animals is taken account of and when the association between the pits and intensive predator control regimes as practised on driven grouse moors is examined, and notes calls for the Scottish Government to consider the merits of banning the use of stink pits in Scotland altogether, on ethical, animal welfare and public health grounds.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes the continued use of stink pits, which are also known as middens, as part of the predator control regime on shooting estates in the Scottish Borders and elsewhere; understands that these are pits or piles of animal carcasses that are left to decompose so that the smell will attract foxes and other predators into snares placed around them; believes that the dead animals found in these pits recently have included foxes, deer, whole salmon, pink-footed geese, pheasants, rabbits, mountain hares and domestic cats; considers that killing and dumping animals, including protected species and domestic pets, to rot and act as bait to trap other animals, is inhumane and fundamentally disrespectful to the creatures; believes that current use goes beyond good practice in many instances; notes the view that it is necessary to assess the justification for permitting their use when the disposal of farm livestock is strictly controlled, when the extent to which their use is associated with the killing of protected species and domestic animals is taken account of and when the association between the pits and intensive predator control regimes as practised on driven grouse moors is examined, and notes calls for the Scottish Government to consider the merits of banning the use of stink pits in Scotland altogether, on ethical, animal welfare and public health grounds.
Supported by: Colin Smyth, Gillian Martin, John Finnie, Ruth Maguire, Stuart McMillan, Rona Mackay, Alex Rowley, Joan McAlpine, Alison Johnstone, Emma Harper, Bill Kidd, Ash Denham, Iain Gray, Kenneth Gibson, Clare Haughey, Mark Ruskell, Johann Lamont, Pauline McNeill, Ivan McKee, Sandra White, Patrick Harvie, Elaine Smith, John Mason, Richard Lochhead, James Dornan, Fulton MacGregor, Claudia Beamish, Andy Wightman, David Torrance, Tom Arthur, Ben Macpherson, Jackie Baillie, Gail Ross, Clare Adamson, Liam McArthur
Current Status: Achieved Cross Party Support
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That the Parliament recognises 9 April 2017 as the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of Arras in France; notes that between 9 April 1917 and the end of the battle on 16 May 1917, some 160,000 British soldiers were killed or severely injured, including 18,000 Scots who lost their lives; understands that the Battle of Arras had the highest concentration of Scottish soldiers fighting in a single battle in the First World War, and considers the loss of life and limb of soldiers on all sides in the battle and the First World War more generally to be a human tragedy worthy of commemoration now and in the future, not to glorify war but to remember the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who had little choice but to participate in that bloody conflict.
Current Status:
That the Parliament recognises 9 April 2017 as the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of Arras in France; notes that between 9 April 1917 and the end of the battle on 16 May 1917, some 160,000 British soldiers were killed or severely injured, including 18,000 Scots who lost their lives; understands that the Battle of Arras had the highest concentration of Scottish soldiers fighting in a single battle in the First World War, and considers the loss of life and limb of soldiers on all sides in the battle and the First World War more generally to be a human tragedy worthy of commemoration now and in the future, not to glorify war but to remember the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who had little choice but to participate in that bloody conflict.
Supported by: Alexander Stewart, James Dornan, Bill Kidd, Mairi Evans, Gordon MacDonald, Graeme Dey, Kenneth Gibson, Stuart McMillan, David Torrance, Richard Lyle, Emma Harper, Richard Lochhead, Bob Doris, Clare Haughey, Tom Arthur, Fulton MacGregor, Ivan McKee, Gillian Martin, Christina McKelvie, Gil Paterson, Gail Ross, Alexander Burnett, Clare Adamson
Current Status: Fallen on 21/06/2017
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That the Parliament congratulates the Little Lauder Lego Legends on winning the Edinburgh Regional Final of the First Lego League; understands that this year’s project competition was based on the theme, Animal Allies, and asked competitors to come up with an idea that improved relationships between people and animals; notes that the Little Lauder Lego Legends project, Bee Cool, was a scheme allowing producers to mark their products as "bee-friendly" where certain criteria where met, such as ensuring neonicotinoids were not used; understands that the project will now progress to the UK and Ireland final; recognises the many schools in the Borders represented across the First Lego League competitions, including Peebles High and West Linton Primary, which made it to the robot competition final and Channelkirk Primary School, which won the Core Values Cup; considers that the First Lego League provides a great opportunity for young people to think like scientists and engineers, and wishes Little Lauder Lego Legends all the best in the finals.
Current Status:
That the Parliament congratulates the Little Lauder Lego Legends on winning the Edinburgh Regional Final of the First Lego League; understands that this year’s project competition was based on the theme, Animal Allies, and asked competitors to come up with an idea that improved relationships between people and animals; notes that the Little Lauder Lego Legends project, Bee Cool, was a scheme allowing producers to mark their products as "bee-friendly" where certain criteria where met, such as ensuring neonicotinoids were not used; understands that the project will now progress to the UK and Ireland final; recognises the many schools in the Borders represented across the First Lego League competitions, including Peebles High and West Linton Primary, which made it to the robot competition final and Channelkirk Primary School, which won the Core Values Cup; considers that the First Lego League provides a great opportunity for young people to think like scientists and engineers, and wishes Little Lauder Lego Legends all the best in the finals.
Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Joan McAlpine, Mairi Evans, Ruth Maguire, Sandra White, Kenneth Gibson, Colin Beattie, Bill Kidd, Stuart McMillan, Jenny Gilruth, Monica Lennon, David Torrance, Christina McKelvie, Clare Adamson, Gil Paterson, Fulton MacGregor R, Ivan McKee, Alexander Burnett
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That the Parliament commends the work undertaken by the drug, alcohol and mental health charity, Addaction; notes that Addaction has 23 regional sites in Scotland, including Galashiels, and is the largest organisation of its kind; further notes its ethos that the wellbeing, health and happiness of people, families and communities is paramount and its assertion that people with substance misuse problems should be supported through health and social care agencies and diverted away from the criminal justice system; recognises the dedication and work that the staff and volunteers of Addaction undertake every day to support sustainable recovery in people with addiction issues, and looks forward to hearing more about their work at their exhibition in the Parliament from 21 to 23 February 2017.
Current Status:
That the Parliament commends the work undertaken by the drug, alcohol and mental health charity, Addaction; notes that Addaction has 23 regional sites in Scotland, including Galashiels, and is the largest organisation of its kind; further notes its ethos that the wellbeing, health and happiness of people, families and communities is paramount and its assertion that people with substance misuse problems should be supported through health and social care agencies and diverted away from the criminal justice system; recognises the dedication and work that the staff and volunteers of Addaction undertake every day to support sustainable recovery in people with addiction issues, and looks forward to hearing more about their work at their exhibition in the Parliament from 21 to 23 February 2017.
Supported by: John Mason, Bill Kidd, Kenneth Gibson, Fulton MacGregor, David Stewart, Rona Mackay, Ash Denham, Clare Haughey, Maree Todd, Joan McAlpine, Bob Doris, Richard Lyle, Jeremy Balfour, Tom Arthur, Gillian Martin, Neil Findlay, Sandra White, David Torrance, Stuart McMillan, John Finnie, Clare Adamson, Angus MacDonald, Colin Smyth, Jenny Gilruth, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Alexander Burnett, Ivan McKee
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18/04/2017
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That the Parliament commends the Peebles community on raising funds to sponsor Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Talking Books; understands that Peebles is the first town in the UK to sponsor Talking Books as a community and has already raised £5,000 for two adults' books and is currently raising a further £1,500 for a children's book; recognises the community organisations and businesses that have been generous in supporting this initiative, including the fundraising efforts by Peebles Rotary Club, Peebles Round Table, Forsyths of Peebles, Higgins Opticians, Peebles Life, Harrison's Ford, Rogerson Shoes and Schools Out After School Club; notes that RNIB has been running the Talking Books initiative for over 80 years, which allows adults and children with sight impairment access to over 25,000 audio books for free, and encourages communities and businesses across Scotland to replicate this initiative.
Current Status:
That the Parliament commends the Peebles community on raising funds to sponsor Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Talking Books; understands that Peebles is the first town in the UK to sponsor Talking Books as a community and has already raised £5,000 for two adults' books and is currently raising a further £1,500 for a children's book; recognises the community organisations and businesses that have been generous in supporting this initiative, including the fundraising efforts by Peebles Rotary Club, Peebles Round Table, Forsyths of Peebles, Higgins Opticians, Peebles Life, Harrison's Ford, Rogerson Shoes and Schools Out After School Club; notes that RNIB has been running the Talking Books initiative for over 80 years, which allows adults and children with sight impairment access to over 25,000 audio books for free, and encourages communities and businesses across Scotland to replicate this initiative.
Supported by: David Torrance, Kenneth Gibson, Joan McAlpine, Fulton MacGregor, Tom Arthur, Colin Beattie, Iain Gray, Rona Mackay, Alison Harris, Richard Lyle, Ruth Maguire, Clare Haughey, Gail Ross, Emma Harper, Ash Denham, Stuart McMillan, Jeremy Balfour, Sandra White, Colin Smyth, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Jenny Gilruth, Bill Kidd, Gillian Martin, Maree Todd, Gordon Lindhurst, Ivan McKee, Clare Adamson, Alexander Burnett, Angus MacDonald
Current Status: Fallen on 15/03/2017
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That the Parliament welcomes the BBC One programme, The River, which is a six-part exposition of the River Tweed and the people who live and work alongside it; recognises the central role that the River Tweed has played in shaping the Scottish Borders from Tweedsmuir to Coldstream in terms of topography, society and industry over the centuries, and anticipates that the weekly series, first broadcast on 7 November 2016, will raise the profile of the River Tweed and its beautiful environs and encourage visitors and locals alike to enjoy all that the Scottish Borders has to offer.
Current Status:
That the Parliament welcomes the BBC One programme, The River, which is a six-part exposition of the River Tweed and the people who live and work alongside it; recognises the central role that the River Tweed has played in shaping the Scottish Borders from Tweedsmuir to Coldstream in terms of topography, society and industry over the centuries, and anticipates that the weekly series, first broadcast on 7 November 2016, will raise the profile of the River Tweed and its beautiful environs and encourage visitors and locals alike to enjoy all that the Scottish Borders has to offer.
Supported by: Sandra White, Neil Findlay, Bill Kidd, Colin Beattie, Mairi Evans, John Lamont, Kenneth Gibson, Edward Mountain, Ash Denham, Fulton MacGregor, Tom Arthur, Clare Haughey, Richard Lyle, Rachael Hamilton, Stuart McMillan, Alexander Burnett, Jenny Gilruth, David Torrance, Clare Adamson, Maree Todd, Gillian Martin
Current Status: Fallen on 15/03/2017
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That the Parliament commends the Riders Branch of Legion Scotland, which is a diverse group of motorcyclists from across the country, many of whom are armed forces veterans; notes that the branch was formed on St Andrew's Day in 2010 and aims to support Legion Scotland and other Scottish charities to provide welfare services and benevolence funds for veterans; further notes that, as well as raising funds for veterans and their dependents through charitable work and donations, the branch also attends funeral services of service personnel at the request of families, and participates in remembrance events; recognises that the branch has also helped communities, such as assisting with flood clear-ups, and looks forward to welcoming the branch to the Parliament on 8 December 2016 for First Minister’s Questions and a subsequent bikers' rally outside.
Current Status:
That the Parliament commends the Riders Branch of Legion Scotland, which is a diverse group of motorcyclists from across the country, many of whom are armed forces veterans; notes that the branch was formed on St Andrew's Day in 2010 and aims to support Legion Scotland and other Scottish charities to provide welfare services and benevolence funds for veterans; further notes that, as well as raising funds for veterans and their dependents through charitable work and donations, the branch also attends funeral services of service personnel at the request of families, and participates in remembrance events; recognises that the branch has also helped communities, such as assisting with flood clear-ups, and looks forward to welcoming the branch to the Parliament on 8 December 2016 for First Minister’s Questions and a subsequent bikers' rally outside.
Supported by: Angus MacDonald, Jenny Gilruth, Miles Briggs, David Stewart, Sandra White, Stuart McMillan, Clare Haughey, Maurice Corry, Alexander Burnett, Alison Harris, Colin Beattie, Liam Kerr, Richard Lyle, Bill Kidd, Richard Lochhead, David Torrance, Bob Doris, Linda Fabiani, Ivan McKee, Annie Wells, Maree Todd
Current Status: Fallen on 27/01/2017
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That the Parliament commends those taking part in Reclaim the Night marches to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women; notes that these events are taking place across the UK, including in Galashiels, where the event was organised by Border Women’s Aid, Scottish Borders Rape Crisis Centre, Scottish Borders LGBT Equality and Children 1st; considers that these events, in raising awareness of violence and harassment against women and other groups in society who may not feel safe, demonstrate a united force alongside the local community to promote an inclusive environment where people feel safe; recognises that these events have been held for over 40 years, and agrees with participants that violence and harassment of any group have no place in Scottish society.
Current Status:
That the Parliament commends those taking part in Reclaim the Night marches to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women; notes that these events are taking place across the UK, including in Galashiels, where the event was organised by Border Women’s Aid, Scottish Borders Rape Crisis Centre, Scottish Borders LGBT Equality and Children 1st; considers that these events, in raising awareness of violence and harassment against women and other groups in society who may not feel safe, demonstrate a united force alongside the local community to promote an inclusive environment where people feel safe; recognises that these events have been held for over 40 years, and agrees with participants that violence and harassment of any group have no place in Scottish society.
Supported by: Tom Arthur, John Finnie, Clare Haughey, Mairi Evans, Stuart McMillan, Patrick Harvie, Bill Kidd, Ash Denham, Ruth Maguire, David Torrance, Ivan McKee, Sandra White, Graeme Dey, Monica Lennon, Alison Johnstone, Jackson Carlaw, Richard Lyle, Neil Findlay, Angus MacDonald, Gillian Martin, Christina McKelvie, Jackie Baillie, Maree Todd
Current Status: Fallen on 27/01/2017
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