Chamber
Plenary, 17 Jan 2002
17 Jan 2002 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Europe's Energy Capital (Aberdeen)
In as much as any parliamentarian can be an interloper, I might seem to be one in the debate. However, I would like to scotch that early on. A large number of my constituents are involved in oil and gas-related industries, which are industries that are of vital strategic importance to Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom.
As a young solicitor, before being called to the bar, I was honoured to act for what is now Amicus but was then the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union. My duties involved me frequently haring up—in case anyone is listening, driving at major speed up—the A9 to McDermott at Ardersier. I was conscious of the real significance of jobs to workers in that work force and for the retention of skilled jobs in the area and for the future of the industry.
One of the most depressing aspects of my professional life was giving advice to survivors of the Piper Alpha tragedy and to widows and dependants of those who suffered in that tragedy. At that time, a large number of members of our union had to keep their membership secret. They carried their union cards in their back pockets. That was because some of the oil companies, encouraged and abetted by the attitudes of our own Government and others towards trade unions, required them to keep their membership secret. I am thankful that we are beginning to put that behind us. We see increasing offshore recognition agreements, not least with the AEEU and MSF, which are the constituent components of my trade union.
I was pleased to hear almost all speeches. In particular, I was pleased to hear Robin Harper's mention of renewables and efficiencies, as they are aspects that were missing in the debate. Perhaps we do not give sufficient attention to the importance of energy efficiency and technology. Renewable energy is perhaps one of our biggest energy sources, although not one that is going to displace supply.
In meetings of the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee, I am constantly ear-bashed by Elaine Thomson about skills and training. I am astonished that I have not been ear-bashed today, but I suspect that she feels that she has given us enough on that front. I was struck by the evidence on skills and training that was given recently to the committee by Amanda Harvie, from the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce. Much of what Amanda said could apply throughout Scotland, but her expertise was on skills shortages in Aberdeen and its region. She made a cogent and compelling argument for getting children acquainted with the notion of engineering as a future career and getting universities, and society generally, to validate and improve the status that we give to those entering engineering. That is an important point.
Although I endorse the sentiment of the motion, when we consider only places we forget the importance of people. We need to consider what can be done. That is a matter for constituency members and others who are interested in what can be done to make Aberdeen and its region a vital and interesting place for skilled workers and jobs.
I commend the work that was done by Alasdair Morrison as vice-chair of Pilot; I am sure that he will find a sterling continuation of his work by Lewis Macdonald. We are constantly reminded of London Labour. Brian Wilson spends some time in London, but we should not overlook that he has the interests of the industry at heart and is happier to make his way back over the border, weary and having done the work on behalf of the people in the task force.
As a young solicitor, before being called to the bar, I was honoured to act for what is now Amicus but was then the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union. My duties involved me frequently haring up—in case anyone is listening, driving at major speed up—the A9 to McDermott at Ardersier. I was conscious of the real significance of jobs to workers in that work force and for the retention of skilled jobs in the area and for the future of the industry.
One of the most depressing aspects of my professional life was giving advice to survivors of the Piper Alpha tragedy and to widows and dependants of those who suffered in that tragedy. At that time, a large number of members of our union had to keep their membership secret. They carried their union cards in their back pockets. That was because some of the oil companies, encouraged and abetted by the attitudes of our own Government and others towards trade unions, required them to keep their membership secret. I am thankful that we are beginning to put that behind us. We see increasing offshore recognition agreements, not least with the AEEU and MSF, which are the constituent components of my trade union.
I was pleased to hear almost all speeches. In particular, I was pleased to hear Robin Harper's mention of renewables and efficiencies, as they are aspects that were missing in the debate. Perhaps we do not give sufficient attention to the importance of energy efficiency and technology. Renewable energy is perhaps one of our biggest energy sources, although not one that is going to displace supply.
In meetings of the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee, I am constantly ear-bashed by Elaine Thomson about skills and training. I am astonished that I have not been ear-bashed today, but I suspect that she feels that she has given us enough on that front. I was struck by the evidence on skills and training that was given recently to the committee by Amanda Harvie, from the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce. Much of what Amanda said could apply throughout Scotland, but her expertise was on skills shortages in Aberdeen and its region. She made a cogent and compelling argument for getting children acquainted with the notion of engineering as a future career and getting universities, and society generally, to validate and improve the status that we give to those entering engineering. That is an important point.
Although I endorse the sentiment of the motion, when we consider only places we forget the importance of people. We need to consider what can be done. That is a matter for constituency members and others who are interested in what can be done to make Aberdeen and its region a vital and interesting place for skilled workers and jobs.
I commend the work that was done by Alasdair Morrison as vice-chair of Pilot; I am sure that he will find a sterling continuation of his work by Lewis Macdonald. We are constantly reminded of London Labour. Brian Wilson spends some time in London, but we should not overlook that he has the interests of the industry at heart and is happier to make his way back over the border, weary and having done the work on behalf of the people in the task force.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr Murray Tosh):
Con
The final item of business is a members' business debate on motion S1M-2472, in the name of Richard Lochhead, on promoting Aberdeen as Europe's energy capital.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament recognises the City of Aberdeen's role as Europe's oil and gas capital and the long-term contribution that the offshore sector will conti...
Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
First, I thank the colleagues who supported my motion and the many companies, academics and agencies that sent me their views for this debate. The motion's a...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
Twelve members wish to speak. That might require the debate to be extended but we can review the situation later on. I ask members to keep their speeches und...
Elaine Thomson (Aberdeen North) (Lab):
Lab
Given this week's excellent news, this is a timely debate. I thank Mr Lochhead for securing it.The UK oil and gas industry is a huge and continuing success s...
Shona Robison (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Will the member give way?
Elaine Thomson:
Lab
No, thanks.One reason is an attractive fiscal regime and another is the fact that the UK has the most stable political environment in the world. That is a po...
Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP):
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Elaine Thomson:
Lab
No thanks.Aberdeen is the pre-eminent location for oil and gas in the UK and Europe. However, it must continue to build its reputation globally. That effort ...
Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD):
LD
I share the broad sentiments of Richard Lochhead's motion, which, I noticed, was well trailed in The Press and Journal, that very well-informed local newspap...
Dr Winnie Ewing (Highlands and Islands) (SNP):
SNP
As Scotland is the only European Union member that is an oil producer, of course Aberdeen qualifies to be the European oil capital. There can be no competiti...
Mr David Davidson (North-East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I congratulate Richard Lochhead on securing an important debate. I will focus on the topic at hand rather than drifting off into other things. I thought that...
Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP):
SNP
Following the recent release of information under the 30-year rule, we learned that Prime Minister Heath's Cabinet in 1971 rejected the proposal to set up an...
Mr Davidson:
Con
Well, I was not aware of the decision at the time, but there are more ways of doing things than just by taxing everything.The city already has the building b...
Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD):
LD
I want to pick up where David Davidson left off by saying a little about Aberdeen and the north-east. One of the area's strengths is the breadth and the dept...
Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP):
SNP
It seems to be a convention that motions for members' business debates are relatively uncontroversial. It is good that there is support for the motion across...
Elaine Thomson:
Lab
Will the member give way?
Stewart Stevenson:
SNP
No. The member would not take my intervention when I wished to make that point to her, so I will not take her intervention now. In future, Labour members sho...
Mr Alasdair Morrison (Western Isles) (Lab):
Lab
I am happy to endorse the sentiment expressed in the motion on the city of Aberdeen. As Winnie Ewing pointed out, Aberdeen's place as Europe's oil and gas ca...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
At this stage, I am minded to accept a motion to extend the business to 6.10 pm, if anyone is willing to move such a motion.
Motion moved,
That the debate be extended until 6.10 pm.—Richard Lochhead.
Motion agreed to.
Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I, too, congratulate Richard Lochhead on securing this timely and important debate. The north-east of Scotland is well served by many of its representatives ...
Mr Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD):
LD
I thank Richard Lochhead for securing this worthwhile debate. It is absolutely right to say that Aberdeen is the energy capital of Europe.A great many of my ...
Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green):
Green
I will talk briefly about three things: research, renewables and a long-term strategy for Aberdeen. We had good speeches about what services Aberdeen needs t...
Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP):
SNP
Not for the first time, I thoroughly endorse the sentiments that Robin Harper has expressed. I recently met an engineer who received his training in John Bro...
Elaine Thomson:
Lab
Will the member give way?
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
I will follow the member's honourable precedent of not taking interventions.Do we think that gentlemen like John D Rockefeller, Calouste Gulbenkian or T Boon...