Last week we heard the sad news of the passing of Jackie Stewart BEM, former HM Prison Officer and stalwart of the Peterhead Prison Museum since it opened in 2016.
Jackie was well known as a regular volunteer at the Museum, always willing to tell his own story (as a hostage on the roof in the eighties) as well as that of the old prison itself.
I met Jackie on several occasions when I visited the museum, and I know he will be missed by staff and visitors alike.
Last week also saw my return to the House of Commons after summer recess.
During recess, my team and I knocked on over a thousand doors across Banff and Buchan – and we have been busy following up with casework raised.
Of course, you don’t have to wait for me to knock on your door!
Please contact me on david.duguid.mp@parliament.uk or 01261 818744 if you need an appointment.
I was also pleased to welcome Levelling Up Secretary, Michael Gove MP to a visit to Macduff Marine Aquarium last month.
£20 million of Levelling Up funding for Banff and Buchan was announced earlier in the year which will allow for major renovations and an extension of the Macduff Aquarium, as well as cultural developments in Peterhead centred around the historic Arbuthnot House.
I have always reinforced the need for public engagement to ensure this and other projects benefit our local communities, and I encourage local residents to attend the upcoming community session at the aquarium on 12 September from 5-7pm.
I have also been busy in the UK Parliament on our first week back.
I sought assurances from The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt MP that the recently announced Northeast Scotland Investment Zone will benefit the whole region, including Banff and Buchan, and not just the city of Aberdeen.
I also called for more engagement between industry and government to ensure continued investment in our vital offshore energy infrastructure – for wind, carbon capture and storage (CCS), hydrogen and of course, for as long as there is still a demand, our own domestic oil and gas.
In the Energy Bill debate, I obtained assurances from the UK Government that the new legislation will serve to promote CCS and in particular facilitate the unique opportunities offered by the Acorn Project at St Fergus.
In that same debate, I also sought assurances that the impact of offshore wind operations on the fishing industry and on coastal communities would be adequately considered and I look forward to hosting a meeting between industry representatives and Energy Minister Andrew Bowie MP to discuss in more detail.
I obtained further assurance of the UK Government’s commitment to maintain energy security and UK-wide resilience from Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden MP.
And, UK Government Minister for the Constitution, Alex Burghart MP, agreed with me that First Minister Humza Yousaf would do better to focus on the real issues that matter to the people and businesses of Scotland rather than obsessing about breaking up our United Kingdom.
Finally, at the end of last week, I was glad to be able to attend the final day of Offshore Europe, which celebrated its 50th year in 2023.
This international conference serves as the perfect showcase for North East Scotland’s global lead in continuing to deliver energy security while decarbonising industry through the energy transition.
