That the Parliament congratulates the management and staff at Glasgow Central railway station on it being named Europe’s station of the year at the European Rail Congress Awards 2014; understands that, with over 38 million visitors each year, it is Scotland’s busiest station and, with an estimated 350,000 people using it, was the main rail transport hub at the Commonwealth Games; praises everyone at the station for the completion of the comprehensive refurbishment programme that it undertook ahead of the Games, and wishes them and the station every success.
That the Parliament congratulates Glasgow Airport on its 21st consecutive month of growth in terms of the number of passengers passing through the airport; notes that numbers are 2.7% higher than in October 2014, making this the busiest October in six years; understands that the airport has started 20 new routes in 2014 and has invested more than £20 million in refurbishing large parts of the terminal building; recognises that the success of the airport supports 7,300 jobs across Scotland, and wishes it continued success.
That the Parliament welcomes the return of Rock the House Scotland, the annual parliamentary showcase for live music supported by MPs of all political parties; considers that the event celebrates the very best of Scottish musical talent; understands that the aim of the event is to raise the political profile and importance of intellectual property rights and copyright among UK parliamentarians and key opinion formers; acknowledges that Rock the House Scotland is now in its third year and that Rock the House Scotland 2015 will take place on 8 March at the Oran Mor in Glasgow, hosted by John Robertson MP, the founder of Rock the House Scotland; further understands that the overall final will take place with a live music showcase at the residence of the American Ambassador to the United Kingdom, and hopes that MSPs will encourage their colleagues from the UK Parliament to make a nomination and help promote the music industry in their own constituencies.
New Questions
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle the (a) production and (b) use of counterfeit money, and whether it plans to introduce any special initiatives in the run-up to the festive season.
Current Status: Expected Answer date 26/11/2014
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote the benefits of organ donation.
Current Status: Due in Chamber on 19/11/2014
Answered Questions
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle the reported increase in Glasgow of purchases of illegal tobacco.
Answered by Michael Matheson (12/11/2014):Our most recent Tobacco Control Strategy, Creating a Tobacco-Free Generation, recognises that enforcement continues to have a key role in our overarching ambition for a smokefree Scotland.Under the Enhanced Tobacco Sales Enforcement Scheme all Scottish councils receive funding of £1.5 million per year to rigorously enforce tobacco sales law, including test purchasing and joint working with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Each council decides how their allocation of the £1.5 million funds are spent.
Trading standards determination to tackle this important safety issue has involved the service working with partners including the police, and HMRC. To date, in Glasgow, trading standards have carried out a number of operations at markets and shop premises that have resulted in the seizure of illicit tobacco products. These seizures have then been the subject of reports to the Procurator Fiscal.
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