Family and Friends

Reviewing the Christmas card list is not a chore but a reminder of a year past. In some cases, new additions the list, in others the sad deletions.

And for the North-East, the near inevitability that we shall see deletions of a number of the fishing vessels tied up in our harbours for what should have been a season of family and festivity.

But the meeting between the First Minister, Scotland’s Fisheries Minister and representatives of the fishing industry was a sombre affair. One concentrating on compensation rather than recovery.

Yes, we must ensure that crews can ride out this ‘European Union’ inspired storm. But how will we see future generations compensated for the brutal ‘down-sizing’ of our core industry?

And many trades and shops depend on fishing for the business that makes them the profit that keeps them going. Businesses deep into the countryside, and ones at the core of rural villages, will share the pain.

With trawler deckhands self-employed, I have long argued that our unemployment numbers understate the scale of this area’s economic difficulties. And with a numbers driven support system, we have been cut off from the opportunities to diversify, the opportunity to reduce our dependence on fishing.

Nonetheless it has not been a totally bad year. But our victories – saving Peterhead Prison, a new hospital for Banff, a move from two to three-shift working for Fraserburgh’s ambulance station, jobs saved in baking and fish-processing – can be overwhelmed by the magnitude of fishing’s problem.

When Parliament returns on 7th January, I shall be straight back into it.

That day the big issue had been planned as a discussion with Ross Finnie, our Fisheries, and Rural Affairs, Minister on how the new European regulations on moving grain around the country might open the door to cross-contamination by Genetically Modified crops.

But that is bound to overwhelmed by questions on fishing. If the Minister will allow us that is. Because on the following day he will make his statement to Parliament on the outcome of the fishing talks.

That only allows a limited time to ask questions and none for a debate.

With the Presiding Officer, Liberal Sir David Steele, concluding that the fishing crisis was not serious enough for a recall of Parliament – not many in the area will agreed with that judgement – our opportunity for a debate, and a chance to change the government’s mind before the new plan starts on 1st February will be very limited.

The moral campaign for 2003 – and this is the time of year for such thoughts surely – must be on ‘industrial fishing’. The Danes – an independent nation at the European talks – were able to stay fishing for sandeels, pout and immature cod.

The major companies like Unilever who are behind such a trade carry clout. And 2003 is the year to kick back. For if the cod’s food is hoovered up, will we ever see cod in numbers again?

Here is hoping for the best in 2003.

Candles in the Wind

As I write the outcome of fishing talks hangs in the balance. I contemplate the candlelit vigil scheduled for Saturday.

If air miles measured effort by all who have been campaigning in our communities, then many would be contemplating luxurious holidays when they cash them in.

The reality is frustration. Mine because I am on Parliamentary duty in Edinburgh. But those in Brussells are hardly better placed if the phone calls and emails reaching me tell the story.

Elliot Morley, the Westminster Minister who ‘leads’ the UK delegation, seems disconnected from those who would be affected by any proposal agreed.

Our fishermen are learning more from their French colleagues than from ‘their’ minister. For they are constantly briefed and referred to for information as negotiations continue. The UK Ministers brief when requested, when they can find the time, and seem concerned to manage down expectations rather than manage up what they deliver as a result.

My colleagues Richard Lochhead MSP, our Scottish Parliament Shadow Fisheries Minister, and Ian Hudghton MEP tell me that they have barely slept since Monday.

It puts in perspective my rising at 4.15 am that day to travel to Fraserburgh sorting office. The Cod Crusaders say they have little time to prepare for Christmas. The mail figures suggest that they may not be alone. Figures are down, a bit, and our posties wonder when the rush will come.

And yet fishing is not the only candle flickering uncertainly in the wind.

I convened a meeting on Monday to discuss Broadband communications services. The Scottish Government has announced a £24 million package to enable access for 70% of our population in the next couple of years. But are we still the other 30% denied any realistic opportunity to diversify our business base?

Even with Council, Grampian Enterprise, BT, and representatives of the business community around the table, we still didn’t find the answer. Although we agreed a way forward which will increase demand in the area, it may not enable us to reach the target to get this technology.

And announcements on transport this week were of uncertain value to us.

The first of these was the new web site to enable us to plan integrated travel throughout Scotland.

So I tried it for my journey from Whitehills to Edinburgh – incidently we are in the process of moving a short distance out into the country having sold our house down south at last – and what did it recommend as the fastest route?

Well it sure was integrated! It started with the bus to Elgin. Then the train to Inverness and bus to the airport. Then fly down to Edinburgh and get the bus into the centre. Fastest certainly, and using almost every mode of transport.

But practical? I will leave you to judge.

Of more importance to Scotland was new funding for railways – some £25 million from the government. But of course we have no railways so that is simply us once again paying for others improved transport.

But the 18th also saw the launch of the public consultation on Aberdeen’s Western Peripheral Route. Between 7th January and 14th February your views are being sought.

For a long time Aberdeen has been a major blockage on our road south. So will it be easy for you to contribute to the debate? Not really! The nearest exhibition will be Newmachar between 4 and 8 pm on 21st January.

But roads are not the only area of congestion troubling us.

For a considerable period, the gas-fired power station at Peterhead has only been able to put about two-thirds of its possible output onto the national grid. Because there ain’t the capacity to carry it away to other markets.

So it seems to be a bit of mystery that a major wind farm is being contemplated in the same general area. Its power would be similarly trapped.

And it would be fair to say that not everyone views very large noisy structures as ideal neighbours. Other plans for offshore wind farms could yet be a better bet.

But amid the doom and gloom that comes with the dark nights and the annual battle over fisheries each December, there is always the spectacular decorations mushrooming all over the north-east.

The central belt is dull and dreary by comparison.

And if the fishing negotiations deliver a hammer blow I shall probably be back down here for a recall of Parliament that might be on Tuesday.

If so, and the news is bad, then it will be our Minister’s candle blowing in the wind – and out.