Strathclyde Police PB 6, PDQB

The campaign has entered the political arena with West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan writing personally to the Chief Constable Stephen House and putting down a motion in the Scottish Parliament.

The letter (right) reads:
'I am writing to you following concerns raised with me regarding the future of the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band. I am sure you will be aware of the level of concern from people in Scotland and across the world following the article in the Herald on Wednesday 18 February 2009 alerting them to the initial concerns as to the piping future of the band.
'I am, therefore, writing to enquire as to your plans for the band and to see if these rumours of disbanding are true. If so, I would also like to know on what basis you are agreeing to this move.
Further to this I have submitted a motion to the Scottish Parliament noting my concerns and those of the cross-party MSPs who have already signed the motion. As I am sure you are aware the status of the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band around the world has led to an international backlash for the plans to stop the band playing I know that the band enhances relations within the community as well as acting as ambassadors for Scotland, the Scottish Police and Piping when abroad, to lose this would be a step backwards. I am therefore also writing to you to seek a meeting to discuss the future of the band. My office will be happy to arrange this if you contact them using the details above or at my new office address as of 1 March 2009, the telephone number will remain the same: Unit 27, Sir James Clark Building, Abbey Mill Business Centre, Seedhill Road, Paisley PA1 1TJ
Yours sincerely
Stuart McMillan MSP

West of Scotland Parliamentary Office,14 William Street, Paisley PA1 2LZ;Tel. 0141 889 9519; Fax.: 0141 889 4693; www.Stuart-McMillan.net '

If anyone else would care to write to the Chief Constable his address is: Chief Constable Stephen House, Strathclyde Police HQ, 173 Pitt Street, Glasgow G2 4JS

Mr McMillan's Parliamentary motion 'Don't Silence the Pipers' is: 'That the Parliament notes with concern that the future of Strathclyde Police Pipe Band is in jeopardy; acknowledges that the band has origins in1883, was set up by public request and was endorsed by an act of Parliament; further notes that the band has been a regular feature at the five major events of the pipe band calendar, the Scottish, British, European and World Championships, as well as the Cowal Highland Gathering, but that this will be cut to playing at only two this year; congratulates the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band for continued success in the prize list at these major competitions and for being outstanding ambassadors around the world for Strathclyde Police, Scotland and piping; notes the record attendance for the band's performance at this year's Celtic Connections; welcomes the increasing investment in other Scottish police force pipe bands, and calls on the chief constable to consider carefully the move to silence the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band.'

We have to thank Mr McMillan for taking up the cudgels here and hope he gets somewhere with the Chief Constable. I know there has been a verbal re-assurance that the band will get to play at the five majors but there has also been a verbal that their practice times will be at the whim of their Commander Mrs McGuire. That is no guarantee at all. We need a clear, unequivocal statement that the band will definitely be able to compete at the five majors AND be guaranteed the the practice and preparation time to all them to do so.

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Following yesterday's meeting, PDQB examinations were formally approved by the Scottish Qualifications Authority subject to a couple of easily overcome conditions. A formal launch of the new qualifications, which will be available in all Scottish schools and further education colleges, will take place some time in the spring.