Parliamentary Patter
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Parliamentary Patter October 2011 Issue 3 Parliamentary Report: John Mason MSP HOUSING MUST BE TOP the transport next five years and I will PRIORITY, SAYS JOHN infrastructure, which have continue to make that case been great but, personally, in the Scottish Parliament”. SNP Member of the I believe the top focus Scottish Parliament for must be building new MSP AND EAST ENDERS Glasgow Shettleston, John affordable, socially rented RAISE OVER £200 FOR Mason, has called upon housing. CANCER CHARITY the Scottish Government to make housing a top “The main issue John Mason recently held priority for the foreseeable constituents speak to me a successful coffee future. about is housing. Over morning to raise funds for 50% of the casework I MacMillan Cancer Speaking in the Scottish deal with relates to Research. Parliament - first during housing and there is the Scottish Government’s clearly a real shortage of The East End MSP, who housing debate - and then good quality, affordable was taking part in during general questions, housing in Glasgow. MacMillan’s “World the East End MSP called Biggest Coffee Morning”, for the SNP Government’s “As well as improving the helped to raise over £200 focus to be on building quality of people’s lives, I for the cancer charity at more housing. believe that more house his Constituency Office building will stimulate the coffee morning. Mr Mason, who previously economy and create jobs worked for three housing which can only be a good Praising East End associations, welcomed thing during these tough residents for their the Scottish Government’s times. generosity, the SNP’s success with transport John Mason MSP said: projects such as the M74 “In Government the SNP extension and the new have already built a record “Well done to the Airdrie-Bathgate rail line, number of new affordable generous people of the which links Glasgow and houses, but we must go East End for supporting Edinburgh, but said that as even further than that. I our MacMillan Coffee well as transport, housing was challenged in this Morning. Early indications should be a top priority morning’s debate to make show that we’ve raised over the next five years. housing my priority and over £200 and a number only minutes later I raised of people have also Speaking from Holyrood, this with Ministers during pledged donations on my John Mason MSP said: general questions. My facebook page. personal commitment to “We have had a string of new housing – along with welcome investments in better primary schools - is my top priority over the 1 MSP SEEKS CARMYLE RESIDENTS JOHN MASON URGES COUNCIL TO BE VIEW ON PHONE MAST ‘CONSISTENT’ SNP MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, John Mason, has been surveying local residents in Carmyle, asking for their views on a proposed mobile phone mast by o2 and Vodafone. Following a public meeting in Carmyle Parish Church with local residents and Mono planning consultants, Mr Mason undertook to survey 500 houses living closest to each of the three potential sites. The East End MSP recently helped deliver around MSP for Shettleston, John Mason, has welcomed 500 residents’ surveys asking people for their view Glasgow City Council’s decision to increase the on the proposed mobile phone mast. Carmyle living wage from £7.15 an hour to £7.20. residents have been asked to indicate which option they think is most suitable to site the mast. The Shettleston MSP, who has argued for the living The planning company have proposed three sites wage to be rolled out into the private sector, is where the mast could go. These include the calling on Glasgow City Council Leader, Gordon junction of Carmyle Avenue and River Road or the Matheson, to be consistent and ensure that the junction of Park Road and River Road or, finally, living wage is also paid by the Council’s contractors adjacent to local shops on Estate Road. and to temporary staff. Comment ing, SNP MSP for Shettleston, John In a recent exchange with Finance Secretary John Mason – who represents Carmyle – said: Swinney at Holyrood, Mr Mason called for Scotland to have powers to set the National Minimum Wage, “These companies have been given huge powers which would have the effect of the living wage by Westminster and I fear it will be difficult to stop being extended to the private sector. the mast being erected altogether. SNP Member of the Scottish Parliament for “Where we might have more success, however, is Glasgow Shettleston, John Mason, commented: in persuading them to put it somewhere that is reasonably acceptable to local residents. “It’s time for Gordon Matheson to step up to the mark and be consistent here. Yes, it’s good that “According to the companies, the mast has to go the Council is increasing the living wage but if roughly within the area bounded by Estate Road, Councillor Matheson really believes, that for many Park Road, River Road, and Carmyle Avenue. It people, work is the best and most suitable route is a small area because these newer 3G masts out of poverty – as I do – then he should be cannot reach a wide area so I am afraid this does consistent and ensure that Council contractors and not give us much room for manoeuvre. temporary staff are also paid a living wage. It’s only fair. “I have delivered surveys to around 500 properties in Carmyle and we have given residents until 24th “As I said in Holyrood a fortnight ago, I would go October to respond. The companies have agreed one step further and ensure that the private sector not to formally apply for planning permission until is also committed to paying this living wage. The they hear the result of this survey. However, we National Minimum Wage is too low and both the must stress that this survey is only for guidance previous Labour and now coalition governments and the final decision will be made by Glasgow have done absolutely nothing to pay a minimum City Council, who I hope will make the right wage that truly reflects today's cost of living”. decision for Carmyle”. Parliamentary Patter is published by John Mason MSP to give members of the community a window into his parliamentary and constituency work. This newsletter is distributed monthly to those who have asked for an opportunity to read what their Member of the Scottish Parliament does and thinks. For further information and distribution enquiries, contact David Linden on 0141 550 4327 or 2 write to 1335 Gallowgate, Parkhead, Glasgow, G31 4DN. PUBLISHED BY THE GLASGOW SHETTLESTON PARLIAMENTARY OFFICE .