It is also pleasing to note that Scotland’s fishermen are offering assistance, as the communities devastated, mainly coastal ones, have seen their boats wrecked or sunk; in this context, I remember watching, with horror, the documentary on decommissioning, which had been postponed until after the European elections, where redundant fishing boats were destroyed. In a world where two thirds of the population go to bed hungry, the rich countries of the world, which include the United Kingdom, should surely have been able to find a better use for fishing boats. They can now.

Coincidentally, the very next day, the chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations predicted that the biggest problem facing the Scottish Executive over the next 10 years would be the shortage of affordable housing. He commented, speaking of the right to buy council houses, that this had to be "politically, socially, economically on every level, the most stupid policy of our times." Where we are also now seeing one council, East Lothian, buying back council houses at current exorbitant prices to deal with homelessness, then we begin to see just how crazy the Tory policy was.

So there is a correlation between homelessness and the lack of council houses - who in their right mind wishes to live on the streets, or in hostels?

We have seen this scenario time and again over the years; we had 18 years of Tory rule, based on English votes, while Scotland solidly supported Labour. Only when New Labour became Tories, did the English people give them their support; anyone who disputes this comment just needs to read again "Beggars Can’t be Choosers" above. Thatcher is alive and well, and living in 10 Downing Street.

With the Herald report they printed some pictures; one was entitled "London Crowd; SNP members at Westminster in 1974". I looked at it with some puzzlement. It was 6 men and one woman, and the woman did not look like Winnie Ewing; then I identified Robert Shirley, and I thought "This must be London Branch members", not our 7 MPs. It was only after a second look that I picked out Steven Rae, then George MacDougall, and to my astonishment - Jim Lynch! The picture was of 7 of the 8 Edinburgh and Midlothian Parliamentary Candidates in February 1974 - a correction printed by the Herald after a letter from Douglas Henderson the next day. Douglas was the MP for East Aberdeenshire from 1974 to 1979, and is currently the SNP Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Dumfries and Galloway. (Until an election is declared, all candidates are Prospective.)

So there was a picture in the paper, totally misleading, which just goes to show that they do not do their research, and you can’t believe all you read in the paper. Historical (or should it be hysterical) note : in February 1974, the SNP had 633,189 votes, 21.9% and 7 seats; in October 1974, we had 839,617 votes, 30.4% and 11 seats. What frightened Harold Wilson was that we had over 50 second places, but what was the end result? 30 years on, and more child poverty in Scotland than before oil was discovered, as Scotland lost its nerve, and supported England, who accused us of being greedy because we had oil and wanted to keep it to ourselves. So they kept it.

Saw an advert in my local supermarket a month or so back; it said "Classic Potato Salad."

Still wondering what a potato does to make it a classic.

I came across a motion to the Scottish Parliament signed by all the Liberals, but have no knowledge of its outcome; it was congratulating Lord Steel of Aikwood on his appointment as a Knight of the Order of the Thistle.

An appropriate award; we have noticed he is prickly.

The Tory mess of railway fragmentation and privatisation has continued under Labour. A string of accidents has undermined public confidence, and exposed a history of underinvestment in the network

Full devolution of all powers relating to rail is necessary if Scotland’s railway service is to improve, while a distinct Scottish Public Rail Investment Trust will prevent public money being creamed off for profit at the expense of public investment, as happened with Railtrack.

SYNOPSIS

Represented at the meeting were Oxfam, SCIAF, Mercy Corps, Red Cross, Christian Aid and Islamic Relief. The meeting discussed a range of ways in which Scotland could play a part in the reconstruction of the countries affected.

In particular, the SNP have called for immediate action on three fronts:

1. a commitment by all MSPs and MPs to match the generosity of the Scottish public by making payroll donations in January of at least one day’s wages;

2. a pledge by the Scottish Executive to make a direct financial contribution to the aid effort and to put pressure on the Westminster government to increase its own contribution and its level of international aid in general;

3. the establishment of a dedicated Scottish Executive Unit to co-ordinate and support Scottish input into the long term reconstruction of the region.

Commenting, SNP Leader Alex Salmond MP said:

"Today’s meeting was extremely instructive and I would like to pay tribute to all of the aid agencies – and their dedicated staff and volunteers – who are working so hard to provide immediate relief to the shattered communities in Asia.

"We have heard today a number of good ideas about how Scotland can play its full part in the long term reconstruction of the countries affected by the tsunami. These will be at the forefront of the SNP sponsored debate on this issue in the Scottish Parliament next week.

"However, there are three steps that I believe should be taken now.

"The first two involve financial assistance – payroll donations by all MSPs and MPs to match the generosity of the public and a direct financial contribution by the Scottish government.

"The third relates to long term reconstruction. There are many ways in which Scotland can help in that task. For example, our fishing industry has the resources and the expertise to help rebuild the fishing industries that many of the affected countries rely on so heavily.

"But these efforts and initiatives must be properly channelled and co-ordinated if they are to be fully effective.

"That is why I am proposing the establishment of a dedicated Scottish Executive Unit to provide support to and co-ordinate the efforts of the many individuals, industries, companies and organisations that have something to offer in helping these stricken countries get back on their feet."

Speaking later Ms Sturgeon said:

"The Scottish people have been extremely generous and have donated millions of pounds to the appeal and both the Westminster and Scottish Governments must follow in their footsteps.

"This is why the SNP has been calling on Scottish MPs and MSPs to donate one day’s pay to the tsunami appeal so they can show that parliamentarians are doing their bit to help the aid effort.

"Thousands of people have been affected by this disaster and every politician must put their money where their mouth is and fully support the appeal."

Mr Robertson added:

"We must ensure that money the UK Government has pledged is indeed new money otherwise my concern is that other emergency aid cases such as the appalling situation in Darfur could be overlooked.

"The Government must not overlook cases such as these when pursuing support for Asia."

SNP Holyrood Leader, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, has written to the First Minister urging him to clear up the controversy surrounding his non-declaration of hospitality from BBC broadcaster, Kirsty Wark as quickly as possible. In her letter to the First Minister, Ms Sturgeon said:

"While your holiday arrangements are, in the normal course of events, a private matter, I am sure you appreciate your responsibility as First Minister to show leadership and to be open and transparent with the Scottish people.

"It is in light of such responsibility that your judgement in deciding to be absent from Scotland - the Hogmanay capital of the world - during the New Year celebrations and to accept the hospitality of a senior BBC political broadcaster and journalist, has been open to question.

"However, the revelation today that you have enjoyed Ms Wark's hospitality on a previous occasion without declaring it in the Register of Members' Interests raises an issue of more direct concern, namely the apparent breach of both the MSP and the Ministerial Codes of Conduct.

"Given that it was you who, rightly, urged MSPs to raise their game a few months ago, I am sure you will not want protracted discussion of your own conduct as First Minister to distract Parliament from the important work that lies ahead of us in 2005.

"Therefore, I would urge you to take steps to clear this matter up as quickly as possible. In particular, you may wish to consider asking the Presiding Officer, in terms of Section 13.1 of Standing Orders, for permission to make a personal statement next week. That would give you the opportunity to declare details of all hospitality provided to you by Ms Wark and explain to Parliament your reasons for not making such a declaration earlier."

Ms Sturgeon added:

"Parliament has a lot of important work ahead of it and it is in no-one's interest for headlines to be dominated by controversy over the First Minister's holiday arrangements.

"Having urged MSPs to raise their game, the First Minister must ensure that he doesn't drag us down again.

"The First Minister clearly has an obligation to be open and transparent and to abide by the rules. Therefore, I hope that he takes an early opportunity to clear matters up, set the record straight and allow everyone to focus on the issues of real concern to the people of Scotland."

Shadow Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead MSP has written to First Minister Jack McConnell asking him to co-ordinate the efforts of Scotland's fishing communities who are keen to help their devastated counterparts in Asia's shattered communities rebuild their lives and fishing industries. Mr Lochhead made his call after the SNP's initiative launched yesterday received a warm response from fishermen throughout Scotland. Fishing crews and fishing organisations have already donated to the disaster appeals and throughout Europe fishing organisations are gearing up to do what they can to help.

Mr Lochhead said:

" It is heart-warming to witness Scotland's and Europe's fishing communities gearing up to help their stricken counterparts in the tsunami-hit regions of Asia.

" Scots fishing crews and fishing organisations have already donated significant amounts to the disaster appeals but they are offering to do much more in terms of offering practical assistance on the ground and replace lost equipment. That's why it is essential that Scotland's Government calls a meeting between the aid agencies and fishing representatives to co-ordinate the industry's response as soon as possible. The specific needs of the shattered fishing communities in the Indian Ocean need to be identified as soon as possible so that Scotland and Europe's fishermen can begin to put together appropriate assistance.

" Fishing fleets, infrastructure and thousands of lives have been lost in Asia's fishing communities and when one fishermen told the media that it would take him a year working as a labourer to replace his nets alone then it is clear that Scottish fishing communities can make a distinct contribution to the international aid effort."