That the Parliament welcomes the announcement that the video games developer, Serious Parody, has raised a £1 million investment to fund a dedicated Dundee studio, creating 18 jobs for the city; notes that £230,000 of these funds were provided by Scottish Enterprise as a Regional Selective Assistance grant; considers that this investment further demonstrates Dundee’s key role in the video games development sector; recognises that the Scottish video games industry is competing on the world stage and is ranked third in Europe’s top 50 games developer locations; looks forward to welcoming further investment in the sector, and wishes the Chief Executive, Dan Hinkles, and Serious Parody the very best of success going forward.
Current Status:
That the Parliament welcomes the announcement that the video games developer, Serious Parody, has raised a £1 million investment to fund a dedicated Dundee studio, creating 18 jobs for the city; notes that £230,000 of these funds were provided by Scottish Enterprise as a Regional Selective Assistance grant; considers that this investment further demonstrates Dundee’s key role in the video games development sector; recognises that the Scottish video games industry is competing on the world stage and is ranked third in Europe’s top 50 games developer locations; looks forward to welcoming further investment in the sector, and wishes the Chief Executive, Dan Hinkles, and Serious Parody the very best of success going forward.
Supported by: Graeme Dey, Kevin Stewart, Margaret Burgess, Gordon MacDonald, Mark McDonald, Colin Beattie, Richard Lyle, Stuart McMillan, John Finnie, Joan McAlpine, Humza Yousaf, Dennis Robertson, Rob Gibson, Bill Kidd, Roderick Campbell, George Adam, Kenneth Gibson, Adam Ingram, Sandra White, Jean Urquhart, Annabelle Ewing
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That the Parliament welcomes the announcement by the Medical Research Council and the University of Dundee that a consortium of six pharmaceutical companies will invest £14.4 million over the next four years to continue research into the development of new drug treatments for major global diseases including cancer, arthritis and lupus; notes that the consortium, known as the Division of Signal Transduction Therapy, includes six of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Merck-Serono and Pfizer; understands that this consortium is the world’s largest collaboration between the academic community and the pharmaceutical industry and that this new round of funding will secure 50 posts at Dundee for the next four years, and believes that this investment represents a major endorsement by the industry in Dundee’s life science research capacity.
Current Status:
That the Parliament welcomes the announcement by the Medical Research Council and the University of Dundee that a consortium of six pharmaceutical companies will invest £14.4 million over the next four years to continue research into the development of new drug treatments for major global diseases including cancer, arthritis and lupus; notes that the consortium, known as the Division of Signal Transduction Therapy, includes six of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Merck-Serono and Pfizer; understands that this consortium is the world’s largest collaboration between the academic community and the pharmaceutical industry and that this new round of funding will secure 50 posts at Dundee for the next four years, and believes that this investment represents a major endorsement by the industry in Dundee’s life science research capacity.
Supported by: Annabelle Ewing, Fiona McLeod, Jean Urquhart, Nanette Milne, Maureen Watt, Sandra White, Adam Ingram, Gil Paterson, Kenneth Gibson, Hugh Henry, Aileen McLeod, John Wilson, Roderick Campbell, Rob Gibson, Bill Kidd, Dennis Robertson, Humza Yousaf, Angus MacDonald, Richard Lyle, Colin Beattie, Joan McAlpine, Colin Keir, Mike MacKenzie, Kevin Stewart, Gordon MacDonald
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That the Parliament notes with grave concern the announcement by the Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond, detailing further cuts to the armed forces as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review; understands that the UK Government’s intentions will see the army reduced from 102,000 soldiers to 82,000 at a time when £100 billion is being spent on nuclear weapons; further notes that under Mr Hammond’s proposals, the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS), would become simply 3 SCOTS and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders would become 5 SCOTS; is further concerned about Mr Hammond’s comment that the names are meaningless in relation to geographical recruitment areas and believes that this shows a fundamental lack of understanding about the historical importance of the regiments, and urges all parties concerned to reconsider what it believes is this unnecessary and harmful policy decision, which will ultimately harm the identity of the communities that have long associated themselves with these regiments.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes with grave concern the announcement by the Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond, detailing further cuts to the armed forces as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review; understands that the UK Government’s intentions will see the army reduced from 102,000 soldiers to 82,000 at a time when £100 billion is being spent on nuclear weapons; further notes that under Mr Hammond’s proposals, the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS), would become simply 3 SCOTS and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders would become 5 SCOTS; is further concerned about Mr Hammond’s comment that the names are meaningless in relation to geographical recruitment areas and believes that this shows a fundamental lack of understanding about the historical importance of the regiments, and urges all parties concerned to reconsider what it believes is this unnecessary and harmful policy decision, which will ultimately harm the identity of the communities that have long associated themselves with these regiments.
Supported by: John Mason, Margaret Burgess, Graeme Dey, David Torrance, Mark McDonald, Gordon MacDonald, Kevin Stewart, Bill Walker, Colin Keir, Jim Eadie, Mike MacKenzie, Humza Yousaf, Stuart McMillan, Richard Lyle, Colin Beattie, Dennis Robertson, Bill Kidd, Stewart Maxwell, Nigel Don, Roderick Campbell, Adam Ingram, Rob Gibson, John Wilson, Aileen McLeod, Kenneth Gibson, Gil Paterson, Sandra White, Linda Fabiani, Maureen Watt, Fiona McLeod, Jackie Baillie, Helen Eadie, Annabelle Ewing
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That the Parliament congratulates the University of Dundee on being rated as the best in the UK for student experience as surveyed by the Times Higher Education; is pleased that the University of Dundee has been recognised for its commitment to students academically and in all other areas of student life; believes that these results are a testament to the redevelopment of much of the university’s main campus over the past five years, which it considers to be a result of the Scottish Government's sustained level of funding for Scotland’s higher education institutions; is optimistic that the result of this survey will be beneficial to the university in attracting new students to the city; continues to support the university in its future endeavours to consolidate what it sees as its reputation as an excellent place in which to study, not just across the UK, but across the world, and considers that, as Dundee seeks to promote itself as a modern forward looking city, this news is a welcome boost to the whole city.
Current Status:
That the Parliament congratulates the University of Dundee on being rated as the best in the UK for student experience as surveyed by the Times Higher Education; is pleased that the University of Dundee has been recognised for its commitment to students academically and in all other areas of student life; believes that these results are a testament to the redevelopment of much of the university’s main campus over the past five years, which it considers to be a result of the Scottish Government's sustained level of funding for Scotland’s higher education institutions; is optimistic that the result of this survey will be beneficial to the university in attracting new students to the city; continues to support the university in its future endeavours to consolidate what it sees as its reputation as an excellent place in which to study, not just across the UK, but across the world, and considers that, as Dundee seeks to promote itself as a modern forward looking city, this news is a welcome boost to the whole city.
Supported by: Annabelle Ewing, Jean Urquhart, Sandra White, Maureen Watt, Adam Ingram, Murdo Fraser, Kenneth Gibson, Hugh Henry, Gil Paterson, Roderick Campbell, John Wilson, Bill Kidd, Stewart Maxwell, Rob Gibson, Dennis Robertson, Nigel Don, Jamie Hepburn, Colin Beattie, Richard Lyle, Humza Yousaf, Angus MacDonald, Mike MacKenzie, Joan McAlpine, Paul Wheelhouse, Mark McDonald, Colin Keir, Graeme Dey, Kevin Stewart, Margaret Burgess
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That the Parliament notes that the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has now been part of the childhood immunisation programme for five years; understands that Scotland has the highest uptake rate of the vaccine in the UK and celebrates this; notes that, in Scotland, the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease has dropped from over 300 cases per year to around 50; commends all who were associated with, and campaigned for, the addition of the vaccine to the childhood immunisation programme; believes that this is a successful example of a preventative approach to treatment, and hopes that, as there are still dangers associated with pneumococcal disease, particularly for those in high-risk groups, other preventative programmes in the future will bring similar success.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes that the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has now been part of the childhood immunisation programme for five years; understands that Scotland has the highest uptake rate of the vaccine in the UK and celebrates this; notes that, in Scotland, the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease has dropped from over 300 cases per year to around 50; commends all who were associated with, and campaigned for, the addition of the vaccine to the childhood immunisation programme; believes that this is a successful example of a preventative approach to treatment, and hopes that, as there are still dangers associated with pneumococcal disease, particularly for those in high-risk groups, other preventative programmes in the future will bring similar success.
Supported by: John Mason, Margaret Burgess, Graeme Dey, Kevin Stewart, David Torrance, Graeme Pearson, Colin Keir, Paul Wheelhouse, Joan McAlpine, John Finnie, Humza Yousaf, Richard Lyle, Bob Doris, Stuart McMillan, Jamie Hepburn, Colin Beattie, Dennis Robertson, Nigel Don, Bill Kidd, Stewart Maxwell, Jackson Carlaw, Dave Thompson, Roderick Campbell, Kenneth Gibson, Hugh Henry, Adam Ingram, Sandra White, Nanette Milne, Maureen Watt, Mary Scanlon, Linda Fabiani, Jean Urquhart, Fiona McLeod, Annabelle Ewing, Annabel Goldie
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That the Parliament acknowledges the collaborative efforts of the University of Dundee, GlaxoSmithKline and the Wellcome Trust in their efforts to create safe and affordable treatments for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs); understands that these NTDs include African sleeping sickness and Chagas disease, which cause in excess of 150,000 deaths per year across three continents; further understands that current treatments have toxic side-effects and have varied success; is grateful to the Wellcome Trust for its investment of a further £8.6 million in the Drug Discovery Unit in Dundee, bringing total investment to over £10 million; will watch with interest future developments that the partnership is able to help bring about, and considers that this work will reinforce what it sees as the world-leading role that Dundee plays in the field of medicine and in the development of new pharmaceutical drugs.
Current Status:
That the Parliament acknowledges the collaborative efforts of the University of Dundee, GlaxoSmithKline and the Wellcome Trust in their efforts to create safe and affordable treatments for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs); understands that these NTDs include African sleeping sickness and Chagas disease, which cause in excess of 150,000 deaths per year across three continents; further understands that current treatments have toxic side-effects and have varied success; is grateful to the Wellcome Trust for its investment of a further £8.6 million in the Drug Discovery Unit in Dundee, bringing total investment to over £10 million; will watch with interest future developments that the partnership is able to help bring about, and considers that this work will reinforce what it sees as the world-leading role that Dundee plays in the field of medicine and in the development of new pharmaceutical drugs.
Current Status: Fallen on 18/05/2012
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That the Parliament notes the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Hot Chocolate Trust, which is a grassroots youth organisation based in Dundee city centre; congratulates the centre's team of six staff and the approximately 20 volunteers who run the group; notes that the group works with young people aged 12 to 21, many of whom, it understands, are facing issues such as alcohol or drug problems, unemployment, homelessness, criminal activity, debt or ill-health; understands that, as an independent charity, the Hot Chocolate Trust offers a highly cost-effective and unique service; believes it to be a safe refuge for young people by offering help, advice, one-to-one support, group work, training sessions and a holistic development programme that help young people to build up their self-confidence, self-esteem and skills, and urges all funders and key partners in Dundee to continue to support what it considers to be this transformational youth group over the trust's next ten years.
Current Status:
That the Parliament notes the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Hot Chocolate Trust, which is a grassroots youth organisation based in Dundee city centre; congratulates the centre's team of six staff and the approximately 20 volunteers who run the group; notes that the group works with young people aged 12 to 21, many of whom, it understands, are facing issues such as alcohol or drug problems, unemployment, homelessness, criminal activity, debt or ill-health; understands that, as an independent charity, the Hot Chocolate Trust offers a highly cost-effective and unique service; believes it to be a safe refuge for young people by offering help, advice, one-to-one support, group work, training sessions and a holistic development programme that help young people to build up their self-confidence, self-esteem and skills, and urges all funders and key partners in Dundee to continue to support what it considers to be this transformational youth group over the trust's next ten years.
Current Status: Fallen on 18/05/2012
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That the Parliament regrets the decision of an Israeli military court to detain Aziz Duwaik, Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, for six months without trial following his arrest on 19 January 2012; recalls that Dr Duwaik was previously held for almost three years between August 2006 and June 2009 despite his claim to parliamentary immunity and serious concerns being expressed about the nature of the charges against him; is advised that Dr Duwaik’s legal representative, Fadi Qawasme, feels that the Israeli military court has failed to adequately explain and justify his client’s detention; understands that Dr Duwaik’s detention brings the total number of democratically elected Palestinian parliamentarians held by the Israeli authorities to 27, including two parliamentarians, Mohammed Totah and Khaled Abu Arafeh, who were seeking shelter with the International Committee of the Red Cross in East Jerusalem; recognises that Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Israel is a signatory, proscribes arbitrary arrest and detention, demands that those who are arrested are promptly informed of the reasons for their arrest and charges against them, entitles all individuals to a trial within a reasonable time and gives them the right to challenge their detention before a court; acknowledges that the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights has claimed that the arrests represent a retaliatory act and a form of collective punishment in breach of the Geneva conventions; understands that the Palestinian National Authority has issued a statement making clear that it believes that Dr Duwaik’s detention is unacceptable and suggesting that Israel’s conduct is undermining intra-Palestinian reconciliation, and calls on the Israeli Government and the international community to ensure that the inalienable legal rights of all those detained by Israel are respected and upheld without further delay.
Current Status:
That the Parliament regrets the decision of an Israeli military court to detain Aziz Duwaik, Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, for six months without trial following his arrest on 19 January 2012; recalls that Dr Duwaik was previously held for almost three years between August 2006 and June 2009 despite his claim to parliamentary immunity and serious concerns being expressed about the nature of the charges against him; is advised that Dr Duwaik’s legal representative, Fadi Qawasme, feels that the Israeli military court has failed to adequately explain and justify his client’s detention; understands that Dr Duwaik’s detention brings the total number of democratically elected Palestinian parliamentarians held by the Israeli authorities to 27, including two parliamentarians, Mohammed Totah and Khaled Abu Arafeh, who were seeking shelter with the International Committee of the Red Cross in East Jerusalem; recognises that Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Israel is a signatory, proscribes arbitrary arrest and detention, demands that those who are arrested are promptly informed of the reasons for their arrest and charges against them, entitles all individuals to a trial within a reasonable time and gives them the right to challenge their detention before a court; acknowledges that the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights has claimed that the arrests represent a retaliatory act and a form of collective punishment in breach of the Geneva conventions; understands that the Palestinian National Authority has issued a statement making clear that it believes that Dr Duwaik’s detention is unacceptable and suggesting that Israel’s conduct is undermining intra-Palestinian reconciliation, and calls on the Israeli Government and the international community to ensure that the inalienable legal rights of all those detained by Israel are respected and upheld without further delay.
Current Status: Fallen on 18/05/2012
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That the Parliament welcomes the signing of a 35 year lease by MWB to establish a Malmaison Hotel in Dundee's listed Tay Hotel building, which, it understands will bring 120 jobs to the city; considers the deal to have an enduring nature and that, as the lease has the potential to run for an additional 35 years, this will ensure valuable long-term investment in the city; is delighted to witness the rebirth of what it considers one of Dundee’s most iconic and recognisable listed buildings after years of lying dormant; considers that investment such as this is a considerable endorsement to the successful redevelopment of Dundee’s waterfront; welcomes the potential that it considers this development creates in attracting visitors to the city both as tourists and as businesses participating in Dundee’s games and renewable energy future, and believes that, as the Dundee Waterfront Project moves forward, it will give an immeasurable boost to the local economy.
Current Status:
That the Parliament welcomes the signing of a 35 year lease by MWB to establish a Malmaison Hotel in Dundee's listed Tay Hotel building, which, it understands will bring 120 jobs to the city; considers the deal to have an enduring nature and that, as the lease has the potential to run for an additional 35 years, this will ensure valuable long-term investment in the city; is delighted to witness the rebirth of what it considers one of Dundee’s most iconic and recognisable listed buildings after years of lying dormant; considers that investment such as this is a considerable endorsement to the successful redevelopment of Dundee’s waterfront; welcomes the potential that it considers this development creates in attracting visitors to the city both as tourists and as businesses participating in Dundee’s games and renewable energy future, and believes that, as the Dundee Waterfront Project moves forward, it will give an immeasurable boost to the local economy.
Current Status: Fallen on 18/05/2012
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That the Parliament congratulates the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) on successfully delivering an out-of-service fire engine, 150 sets of fire kit, 20 sets of breathing apparatus, 80 fire helmets and leather fire boots as well as 100 pairs of fire gauntlets, all of which were generously donated to Dundee’s twin city, Nablus; notes the vital role played by Jim Malone, Gavin Barrie, John Docherty, Dave Kay and Steve Harman of the FBU who made the 2,500 mile journey across Europe; acknowledges the role played by Adly Yaish, the Mayor of Nablus, in enabling the engine to complete its journey from Haifa to Nablus, as well as what it believes was the indispensable support provided by Histadrut, the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions and the Nablus Municipality Fire Department in facilitating the delivery of what it understands is this much-needed equipment, and hopes to see further collaboration between Dundee and Nablus over the years to come for the benefit of the citizens of both cities.
Current Status:
That the Parliament congratulates the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) on successfully delivering an out-of-service fire engine, 150 sets of fire kit, 20 sets of breathing apparatus, 80 fire helmets and leather fire boots as well as 100 pairs of fire gauntlets, all of which were generously donated to Dundee’s twin city, Nablus; notes the vital role played by Jim Malone, Gavin Barrie, John Docherty, Dave Kay and Steve Harman of the FBU who made the 2,500 mile journey across Europe; acknowledges the role played by Adly Yaish, the Mayor of Nablus, in enabling the engine to complete its journey from Haifa to Nablus, as well as what it believes was the indispensable support provided by Histadrut, the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions and the Nablus Municipality Fire Department in facilitating the delivery of what it understands is this much-needed equipment, and hopes to see further collaboration between Dundee and Nablus over the years to come for the benefit of the citizens of both cities.
Current Status: Fallen on 13/03/2012
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