Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
During the SNP’s fisheries debate in parliament today Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson called on Fisheries Minister Ross Finnie to spend more time in Europe meeting and canvassing Ministers and officials from other Governments to build an alliance for Scottish white fisheries.
Speaking after the debate, Mr Stevenson said:
“It is no use Ministers simply turning up at meetings to press an argument when it is well-established that the real decisions in Europe are made well in advance by the informal contacts which I am asking the Minister to promote.
“I believe the Minister heard and understood my call and I insist that he should not be deflected from this by any concerns that officials in Scotland or in London might have about his taking control of this fight for vital Scottish interests.”
Continuing, Mr Stevenson challenged the Minister to take courage in his hands. He said during the debate:
“’Mr Finnie, you must be prepared to break the rules if not the law because the crisis in Scottish fishing is such that we can no longer stand back from the decision-making process and despite what his discomfort may be elsewhere, Scottish Ministers must become directly engaged in saving this vital industry’.
“20,000 jobs are at stake and if Scotland were to lose its fishing industry then the effect on employment and our economy would be greater than any job loss in recent times.”
Karen Adam is now the MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast
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9 October 2002
Salmond And Steenson Meet Minister On Peterhead Bay Project
Banff & Buchan representatives Stewart Stevenson MSP and Alex Salmond MP met with Scottish Executive Minister Lewis MacDonald in Edinburgh today to discuss assistance for Peterhead Bay Authority’s £22 million bay calming project.
The project, which would help secure and create jobs in the North-east, has been dealt a blow by news that oil company BP is relocating its operations to Aberdeen.
Speaking in Edinburgh today, Stewart Stevenson said:
“This was a useful meeting today with the Minister. The Minister indicted that he appreciates the benefits that Peterhead Bay Authority’s breakwater project will bring to the area and is keen to allow opportunities to make progress with this project.
“The Minister’s immediate focus is on opening the door to Public Works Loan Board funding for the bay authority.”
Banff & Buchan MP Alex Salmond added:
“On the subject of direct assistance, the Minister accepted that myself and Stewart Stevenson had made a number of interesting points which he will now examine. In particular, the possibility of East of Scotland Objective 2 funding from Europe was discussed.
“However, the Minister was unable to confirm that grants would be available for the bay authority’s project but would examine ways in which that could happen. It was also indicated that officials would shortly be meeting with representatives of Peterhead Bay Authority and that subject to progress made there, the Minister was open to meeting with members of the bay authority.”
The project, which would help secure and create jobs in the North-east, has been dealt a blow by news that oil company BP is relocating its operations to Aberdeen.
Speaking in Edinburgh today, Stewart Stevenson said:
“This was a useful meeting today with the Minister. The Minister indicted that he appreciates the benefits that Peterhead Bay Authority’s breakwater project will bring to the area and is keen to allow opportunities to make progress with this project.
“The Minister’s immediate focus is on opening the door to Public Works Loan Board funding for the bay authority.”
Banff & Buchan MP Alex Salmond added:
“On the subject of direct assistance, the Minister accepted that myself and Stewart Stevenson had made a number of interesting points which he will now examine. In particular, the possibility of East of Scotland Objective 2 funding from Europe was discussed.
“However, the Minister was unable to confirm that grants would be available for the bay authority’s project but would examine ways in which that could happen. It was also indicated that officials would shortly be meeting with representatives of Peterhead Bay Authority and that subject to progress made there, the Minister was open to meeting with members of the bay authority.”
5 September 2002
Banff & Buchan MSP Comments on Ministerial Statement
Commenting following an official statement from the Justice Minister today (Thursday) that Peterhead Prison is to stay open, Banff and Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the reversal of the decision to close HMP Peterhead, but condemned the Executive’s failure to commit to the rebuilding the world renowned prison – and investing in what is recognised as a centre of excellence.
Mr Stevenson said:
“We are delighted that Peterhead Prison is to stay open and be upgraded – we never expected anything less - but the failure of the Executive to announce long-term investment in the prison remains a matter of concern and frustration.
“Indeed, the failure to commit to the long-term investment, demanded by the public and parliamentary response to the Estates Review, serves only to undermine the government’s own justice policy, and continue the damaging erosion of morale amongst those in the front line in the SPS.
“It was proper for the Minister to pay tribute to the dignified and effective campaign pursued by the community of Peterhead, and in particular the partners of prison officers who have been inspirational.
Commenting on the Justice Minister’s announcement that there will be a further consultation on the publication of the Spencer report into the delivery of sex offenders programmes, Mr Stevenson commented:
“I look forward to digesting Alec Spencer’s report, and trust that his investigation will reflect and take forward the overwhelming case for long-term investment in the sex offenders facility at Peterhead.”
Mr Stevenson said:
“We are delighted that Peterhead Prison is to stay open and be upgraded – we never expected anything less - but the failure of the Executive to announce long-term investment in the prison remains a matter of concern and frustration.
“Indeed, the failure to commit to the long-term investment, demanded by the public and parliamentary response to the Estates Review, serves only to undermine the government’s own justice policy, and continue the damaging erosion of morale amongst those in the front line in the SPS.
“It was proper for the Minister to pay tribute to the dignified and effective campaign pursued by the community of Peterhead, and in particular the partners of prison officers who have been inspirational.
Commenting on the Justice Minister’s announcement that there will be a further consultation on the publication of the Spencer report into the delivery of sex offenders programmes, Mr Stevenson commented:
“I look forward to digesting Alec Spencer’s report, and trust that his investigation will reflect and take forward the overwhelming case for long-term investment in the sex offenders facility at Peterhead.”
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