Sandra Osborne

Labour Party | Ayr, Carrick & Cumnock

Questions to Sandra

Questions to Sandra: about working in the Constituency

Q: How do you fit in constituency work and being in London for much of the time ?

A: While Parliament is in session I am in London from Monday to Thursday attending debates and voting in the chamber. I try to cram constituency work into the Friday to Sunday period. When parliament is in recess I work more normal office hours using the evenings for constituency events and meetings with local organisations. My two full time members of staff are vital to me keeping up with constituency work.

Q: How do you find out what constituents feel about legislation the government is proposing?

A: Hopefully through this website but also through my huge postbag and by organising consultations with local interest groups. I have held consultation meetings on such topics as welfare reform; disability; pensions; family policy; anti-social behaviour and the Iraq war.

Q: What have been the big local issues in your time as MP?

A: The loss of Jetstream at British Aerospace and the success of the Prestwick Taskforce in replacing the lost jobs. The other big issue has been the battle to ensure that the new Scottish Centre for Air Traffic Control goes ahead securing 700 highly paid jobs and the £27m spin off for the Ayrshire economy.

Q: Who do I go to for help now that the Scottish Parliament is up and running ?

A: The Scottish Parliament deals with matters relating to Health, Housing, Local Government, Education, Social Work, the Law, Farming, Fisheries, Sports and Arts. As your Westminster MP I am responsible for Taxation, Benefits, Pensions, Employment, major aspects of the Economy, International Development, Foreign Policy, Defence, Immigration, Energy, Equal Opportunities, Broadcasting - indeed everything else that remains the responsibility of the UK Parliament. There is a strong convention that MPsdo not interfere in other MPs constituencies and this should be extended to MSPs. However, we all try to co-operate to ensure that people get the help they need from the appropriate person.

Questions to Sandra: about working at Westminster

Q: Is Parliament as old-fashioned as it looks?

A: Yes- very! There are good traditions but some get in the way of doing agood job. One example is the time it takes us to vote- going through an old fashioned turnstyle. The Scottish Parliament in contrast has electronic voting with all votes being taken at a set time of day.

Thanks to the work of the Modernisation Committee and Robin Cook when he was Leader of the House, things have begun to change with more sensible hours and a better balance of time between Westminster and the constituency

Q: The Chamber often looks empty - where are all the MPs?

A: A lot of work is done in committees - For example, I was a member of the Scottish Affairs Select Committee. This meets in different locations taking evidence on the topic under investigation. I was proud to bring the SelectCommittee to Ayr to look at Tourism and Inward/Outward investment. I have also sat on major government bills at committee stage which takes a great deal of time. MPs also attend a wide range of meetings. While I was PPS in the Scotland Office I had various duties to attend to including attendingregular Ministerial Meetings. I am a member of a number of All Party Parliamentary Groups including one on Meningitis which I chair.

Q: How do you get to speak in Parliament?

A: Making speeches in Parliament depends on catching the Speaker's eye. Onoccasion I have sat for five or six hours trying to get in on a debate. However, on many otheroccasions I have been called. As well as speeches, you can ask oral and written questions to ministers and make interventions. I have also secured adjournment debates on Racism within the Police, the Future of HMS Gannet, meningitis vaccines and UEF Pension Funds. These are short debates at the end of the day's business or on a Wednesday morning and are replied to by the relevant Government Minister.

Q: What about international issues?

A: I take a close interest in International Development and the cancellation of Third World debt. I visited Malawi in 2003 to study the government's strategy on Reproductive Health issues. I also meet regularly with development organisations and campaign groups locally. I also take a keen interest in Ireland and the Middle East.I visited the rainforest of Colombia as part of a Christian Aid delegation to inspect the efforts to resettle communities displaced as a result of the civil war.

Q: What has been your most satisfying achievement in Parliament?

A: Having my amendment to the Transport Bill accepted by the Government thuswriting into the Legislation the new Scottish Centre for Air Traffic Control at Prestwick. 700 jobs and £27m spin off for the local Ayrshire economy depend on this going ahead.

Q: Can I see round the House of Commons if I am in London?

A: One of the most pleasant tasks at Westminster is showing round visitors or delegations from the constituency as time allows. Please give me as much notice as you can. My staff can often arrange public gallery tickets so you can sit in on debates but again it helps if you give plenty of notice.