Dave Thompson MSP

As a supporter of local sustainable fishing I was aghast that the MoD intended to expand a sizeable new area of torpedo range in the Inner Sound between Applecross and Raasay, which would lead to the closure to fishing in this area without any consultation with the community.

Following concerns from local constituents I wrote a joint letter with my Highland MSP colleague, Rob Gibson, to the MoD Minister, Michael Fallon.

His deputy Phillip Dunne MP responded by saying that this was not a fait accompli, rather, a consultation would start on the proposal in June

This is a minor victory as we have helped stir the UK Government into action and I thank the First Minster for also getting involved, showing that the Scottish Government will stand up for West Coast Communities that are affected by the proposal.

But, what this charade shows is that whilst the Scottish Government cares for the sustainability of the remote and rural areas, the same cannot be said of the UK Government which seems to be happy for the MoD to ride roughshod over a sustainable local fishing community.

However, I look forward to future sensible discussions taking place with the MoD, who I hope and expect to take on board the legitimate concerns of local fishermen.

And on the subject of sustainable fishing, I recently delivered a speech in the Parliament on the National Marine Plan as part of a wider debate on the plan.

This gave me the opportunity to congratulate the Scottish Government in adopting a National Marine Plan that strives to ensure clean, healthy, safe, productive and diverse seas that are managed to meet the long-term needs of nature and people.

As I am supportive of sustainable fishing activities in Scottish waters, I was also able to welcome the news that after initial reservations the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation is much more satisfied with the proposals and that Mallaig and North-West Fisherman’s Association (MNWFA) has also agreed to the plan.

However, I do recognise the need to equip Local Authorities so they are better able to deliver marine planning effectively and that this should be done as a matter of urgency.

Regional Marine Planning and the governance of the decision-making bodies that are required to deliver the plans must be well resourced to provide a streamlined management approach at regional and national levels.

I congratulate the WHFP on officially becoming a living wage employer and for promoting the initiative in the Highlands – a campaign I am wholeheartedly behind.

The minimum wage is not enough if we want to support individuals and communities and properly fight poverty in Scotland, and the living wage is one of the best opportunities we have at taking on that fight.

I wish the WHFP all the best with the promotion of the campaign and hope that more employers in the Highlands will support the living wage.

I was delighted and privileged to speak in a debate in Parliament recently to celebrate the life of Mary Slessor as Scotland celebrated international women’s day.

During her time in Nigeria, Mary saved hundreds of lives, stopped human sacrifices and severe punishments, and even the outbreak of tribal war.

Her unwavering belief in God and her determination to make the lives of the people of Nigeria better mean her name has been written into history, and she is, quite simply a truly inspirational Christian and woman.

I welcome recent news of a £6million investment in a water source heat pump system to be installed in Caol to heat 500 houses.

This is great news for Caol and Lochaber. Water Source Heat Pump installations elsewhere indicate this will provide effective and cheap heating.

This bodes well for further water source heat pump systems in Scotland too, given how much water we have to act as a heat source.

Millions of homes across Scotland therefore have the potential to be heated using a carbon-free technology that draws energy from rivers, lochs and the sea, which also has the capacity to significantly reduce energy bills.