Malcolm Bruce Raises Constituency Issues in Queen's Speech Debate

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 1st Dec 2004

Speaking in the Queen's Speech debate on Wednesday 1st December, Gordon Liberal Democrat MP Malcolm Bruce highlighted the issues currently affecting his constituency.

Malcolm Bruce said:

"As a Scottish member of the Westminster Parliament I would like to see more cooperation and communication between it and the Scottish Parliament.

"An example of shared responsibility in an area which is causing my constituents real anxiety is the operation of the new GP's out of hours contract. Health is a devolved responsibility but it results from a new UK contract for GPs and requires health authorities throughout the UK to find more doctors to cover weekends and evenings. Clearly in terms of training and recruitment there is need for co-ordinated action by Westminster and the Scottish Parliament.

"I am also concerned about aspects of the transport bills which have been introduced in the Queen's Speech. My constituents were incensed the East coast mainline is designated as being from London to Aberdeen for franchise purposes but London to Edinburgh for investment purposes. Unless adequate new money is passed to Scotland there is a danger that the UK will be abdicating responsibility for ensuring strategic investment for the remoter parts of the UK.

"The UK has already done that as far as the upgrading of the Aberdeen Inverness line and the interdependent investment in a commuter service between Inverurie and Stonehaven. If devolution enables this to go ahead it will be welcome, but if the Scottish parliament are getting responsibility without the funds then it will prove a hollow measure.

"I am increasingly concerned that the debate on immigration is ignoring the economic benefits Britain stands to gain. A significant number of businesses in my constituency have welcomed the recent expansion of the EU, not least because workers from the accession countries are filling a labour shortage in the North East. Indeed the city of Aberdeen has said that its future is dependent on increased flows of labour and is taking positive steps to attract people from the new Member States.

"The debate on immigration must also take consideration of our draconian immigration laws which make it much more difficult to combat trafficking of human beings which is quite clearly modern-day slavery.

"In today's debate Gordon Brown has stressed the importance of the transatlantic relationship. I agree that this is an important one for the UK, but the US must also learn to appreciate the UK has a European dimension and take that on board in its policies. The Euro zone in which the UK has given up its vote could force adjustments by cutting interest rates and forcing some upward pressure on the dollar which could start a reversal of US domestic policy which combines the worst successes of left and right wing ideology combined - record deficits caused by reckless spending and tax cuts together.

"To conclude, it is easy to be suspicious of a Government which has produced a rag-bad of a Queen's Speech that includes 32 bills, especially when the next Session is likely to be interrupted for a General Election.

"This is not so much a serious programme of legislation as a shopping list for the General Election."