That this House congratulates Aberdeen-based HR Hub Plus Limited on the company being awarded the Community Award in the Federation of Small Businesses' Celebrating Small Business Awards Scotland 2024; recognises the positive contribution made by HR Hub Plus Limited to the local community through its discounted services to charities, sponsorship of local community events, offering work placements and internships in collaboration with Robert Gordon University and local secondary schools and free CV and interview skills for businesses affected by redundancy and administration; notes the rapid success of the company since being founded in 2018; commends the company’s ethos of respect, trust and inclusion; appreciates the nationwide coverage and range of expertise provided by the company; further recognises the incredible contribution made by businesses such as HR Hub Plus Limited in providing outstanding Human Resources support to small and medium sized businesses; and wishes all those involved with the company every success in the years to come.

That this House congratulates Aberdeen-based HR Hub Plus Limited on the company being awarded the Community Award in the Federation of Small Businesses' Celebrating Small Business Awards Scotland 2024; recognises the positive contribution made by HR Hub Plus Limited to the local community through its discounted services to charities, sponsorship...

That this House notes the fundraising efforts currently being carried out by Sea Cadet Helen Buswell and her colleagues at TS Scylla in Aberdeen by means of a sponsored walk; understands that in common with other Sea Cadet units, TS Scylla aims to give young people an experience that will help them grow into the person they want to be in a safe and friendly environment; is aware that through various activities and adventures, Sea Cadets learn teamwork, respect, loyalty, self-confidence, commitment, self-discipline, honesty and how to be the best version of themselves; and wishes the team at TS Scylla continued success going forward.

That this House notes the fundraising efforts currently being carried out by Sea Cadet Helen Buswell and her colleagues at TS Scylla in Aberdeen by means of a sponsored walk; understands that in common with other Sea Cadet units, TS Scylla aims to give young people an experience that will...

That this House congratulates Oldmeldrum-based ITC Hydraulic Services Limited on being awarded the Family Business Award in the Federation of Small Businesses' Celebrating Small Business Awards 2024; notes that this year marks the twenty-fifth year in business of the firm; recognises the vital contribution made to the North East and Scottish economy of family businesses such as ITC Hydraulic Services Limited; further notes the firm is focussed on being a significant supplier to the growing renewables sector; and wishes management and the staff team continued success going forward.

That this House congratulates Oldmeldrum-based ITC Hydraulic Services Limited on being awarded the Family Business Award in the Federation of Small Businesses' Celebrating Small Business Awards 2024; notes that this year marks the twenty-fifth year in business of the firm; recognises the vital contribution made to the North East and...

That this House welcomes the inaugural Scottish Agriculture Awards, where over 450 people celebrated innovation and success in the vital Scottish agricultural sector; recognises the critical role that Scottish agriculture plays in food supply both within Scotland and beyond; notes the large scale of the agricultural sector, especially in the north east of Scotland, which is renowned for quality produce and, in this regard, congratulates the innovation and success of Savock Farms operating in the Ellon area of Aberdeenshire which achieved the prestigious accolade of Arable Farm of Year; and further recognises the vision and effort required to achieve such an accolade and the benefits that the resulting expertise and knowledge bring to the wider sector as we strive for the best possible food and environmental standards.

That this House welcomes the inaugural Scottish Agriculture Awards, where over 450 people celebrated innovation and success in the vital Scottish agricultural sector; recognises the critical role that Scottish agriculture plays in food supply both within Scotland and beyond; notes the large scale of the agricultural sector, especially in the...

That this House pays tribute to the continuing success and growth of Laings of Inverurie, established as an independent family business in 1862, who have recently celebrated their 160th anniversary as one of the largest independent retailers of kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms in the UK; acknowledges the vital importance of independent businesses like Laings to the retail sector and the importance of such business to the long-term economic prospects of our local economies; further commends the owners, management and staff of Laings for their commitment to excellent service to the many thousands of loyal customers in Aberdeenshire and beyond; and wishes the company continued success into the future.

That this House pays tribute to the continuing success and growth of Laings of Inverurie, established as an independent family business in 1862, who have recently celebrated their 160th anniversary as one of the largest independent retailers of kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms in the UK; acknowledges the vital importance of...

That this House recognises the humanitarian efforts of the Scottish Emergency Rescue Association (SERA) in delivering over 70 fully equipped fire appliances and ambulances to countries including Ukraine, Moldova, Romania and Burundi over the past 14 years; notes SERA has trained hundreds of local firefighters in each of the host countries in order that they may safely use and maintain the equipment and vehicles provided; understands that SERA recycles and refurbishes second-hand emergency equipment, allowing it to be put to good use overseas; and commends the volunteers who work so hard arranging this and personally driving the equipment to its new home.

That this House recognises the humanitarian efforts of the Scottish Emergency Rescue Association (SERA) in delivering over 70 fully equipped fire appliances and ambulances to countries including Ukraine, Moldova, Romania and Burundi over the past 14 years; notes SERA has trained hundreds of local firefighters in each of the host...

That this House notes Pat Scott is retiring as Chief Reporter with Highland News and Media, having served as Editor of the Huntly Express; understands that Pat joined the Huntly Express in 1978 and has reported on Huntly and district diligently since that time; notes that Pat has worked for four different owners of the newspaper and in five different locations over the past 44 years; commends the unstinting support the Huntly Express has given its local community over the years under Pat’s leadership; and wishes Pat well in her retirement from journalism but understands she will continue to be involved in community events, notably the Huntly Hairst.

That this House notes Pat Scott is retiring as Chief Reporter with Highland News and Media, having served as Editor of the Huntly Express; understands that Pat joined the Huntly Express in 1978 and has reported on Huntly and district diligently since that time; notes that Pat has worked for...

That this House congratulates Mr Stanley Morrice on his being awarded an MBE for his services to the food and drink sector; recognises his role at the forefront of driving sustainable food and drink production in North-east Scotland; notes his leading role in the delivery of Seedpod, a £21 million investment in the food and drink industry to create a centre of excellence for sustainable manufacturing and production at Scotland’s Rural College campus at Craibstone, Aberdeen, scheduled to open in 2023; and thanks him for the huge amount of work he has done in mentoring and nurturing the next generation of business leaders and wishes him continued success.

That this House congratulates Mr Stanley Morrice on his being awarded an MBE for his services to the food and drink sector; recognises his role at the forefront of driving sustainable food and drink production in North-east Scotland; notes his leading role in the delivery of Seedpod, a £21 million...

That this House congratulates Huntly-based Networks of Wellbeing on being awarded the prestigious Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award for 2022; notes that the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme recognises those who demonstrate or advocate support to the Armed Forces community and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant; understands that Silver Award winners must meet certain criteria, including employing at least one individual from the Armed Forces community, actively ensuring that their workforce is aware of their positive policies, demonstrating support to mobilisations of reservists and providing at least five days’ additional leave for training; and commends Networks of Wellbeing for the range of services offered to veterans, their families and carers.

That this House congratulates Huntly-based Networks of Wellbeing on being awarded the prestigious Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award for 2022; notes that the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme recognises those who demonstrate or advocate support to the Armed Forces community and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant;...

That this House notes Inverurie Junior Agricultural Club will mark the 90th anniversary of its formation this year; recognises the prominent part the club has played in the Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs; understands that hundreds of people involved in farming have been part of the club over its nine decades of existence; further recognises that Junior Agricultural Clubs and Young Farmers Clubs provide a valuable social network full of opportunities to meet new people, share new experiences and develop personal skills; commends those involved in Inverurie Junior Agricultural Club for helping it reach this significant milestone; and wishes the club and its members continued success in the years ahead.

That this House notes Inverurie Junior Agricultural Club will mark the 90th anniversary of its formation this year; recognises the prominent part the club has played in the Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs; understands that hundreds of people involved in farming have been part of the club over its...

That this House notes that in the UK, unlike for those with children born after the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act came into force on 13 November 2008, female same-sex couples with children born pre-2008 cannot both be legally registered as the child or children's parent; further notes that in some countries it is a requirement for a parent seeking to relocate to those countries with their children to be recognised as a parent and that there is currently no means in law for them to remedy this situation; and calls on the Government to take action to remedy this by introducing a legal mechanism for both partners in a same-sex couple with children born pre-2008 to have the same rights in law to be recognised as the child or children's parents as those same-sex couples with children born post-2008.

That this House notes that in the UK, unlike for those with children born after the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act came into force on 13 November 2008, female same-sex couples with children born pre-2008 cannot both be legally registered as the child or children's parent; further notes that in...

That this House notes that 2022 sees the 150th anniversary of the foundation of what is now the ANM Group Limited co-operative; recognises that North-east Scotland has been an area where, for centuries, livestock rearing and marketing has been a source of pride, prestige and considerable financial investment; acknowledges Aberdeen and Northern Marts generated a hive of activity where farmers, dealers, agricultural workers and families came together to do business and socialise; and congratulates ANM Group for the development of modern auction centres, the pioneering of electronic and video auctions, diversification into non-agricultural auctions and the move into the high-quality catering and hospitality market which are examples of the innovative approach which has made ANM Group a highly-successful farmer-owned business.

That this House notes that 2022 sees the 150th anniversary of the foundation of what is now the ANM Group Limited co-operative; recognises that North-east Scotland has been an area where, for centuries, livestock rearing and marketing has been a source of pride, prestige and considerable financial investment; acknowledges Aberdeen...

This House notes that Scottish Comic Book Day was marked on 27 November 2021 celebrating comics, comic artwork and related media with a link to Scotland; understands that people from Scotland continue to be involved in the comic and graphic novel industry, including the film and televisual adaptions of those genres that are made by independent film producers and studios, such as Marvel Studios, DC Studios, Disney and Netflix; believes that the master of design course on Comics and Graphic novels that is offered by the University of Dundee is the only one of its type in the world; recognises this year is the 70th anniversary of the character, Dennis the Menace, in The Beano, which is the UK's longest running comic; acknowledges the importance of the creative sector to Scotland’s economy and the contribution of comics and graphic novels towards that; and congratulates #scottishcomicbookday and its organisers on a successful inaugural event.

This House notes that Scottish Comic Book Day was marked on 27 November 2021 celebrating comics, comic artwork and related media with a link to Scotland; understands that people from Scotland continue to be involved in the comic and graphic novel industry, including the film and televisual adaptions of those...

That this House acknowledges the hugely significant voluntary contribution of Mr Willie Taylor of Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire to the success and ongoing development of the Ellon Pipe Band; further recognises Mr Taylor's pivotal role in developing the long-standing partnership between the Ellon Pipe Band and the Koninklijke Harmonie Concordia silver band from Maaseik, Belgium; and wishes him well as he retires from the Ellon Pipe Band after 38 years of service to the band and to community life in the Ellon area and beyond.

That this House acknowledges the hugely significant voluntary contribution of Mr Willie Taylor of Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire to the success and ongoing development of the Ellon Pipe Band; further recognises Mr Taylor's pivotal role in developing the long-standing partnership between the Ellon Pipe Band and the Koninklijke Harmonie Concordia silver band...

That this House notes that 30 September 2021 marks sixty years of Independent Television in the North of Scotland; notes that Grampian Television, which served the area with distinction from 1961 to 2006, produced programming in Gaelic, English and Scots at a time when the indigenous languages of Scotland were under increasing threat from globalisation; recognises that many of those programmes are now a valuable archive of the language and culture of North and North-east Scotland; and calls for the full devolution of broadcasting powers to the Scottish Parliament in order that broadcasting policy better reflects the priorities and needs of the people of Scotland.

That this House notes that 30 September 2021 marks sixty years of Independent Television in the North of Scotland; notes that Grampian Television, which served the area with distinction from 1961 to 2006, produced programming in Gaelic, English and Scots at a time when the indigenous languages of Scotland were...

That this House congratulates John Henderson of Huntly, Aberdeenshire, on winning the PDC 2021 World Cup of Darts for Scotland with Peter Wright; notes that this is the second time in three years Scotland has won the title; commiserates with Austria, the defeated finalists this time; and wishes John and his many supporters many more victories in future.

That this House congratulates John Henderson of Huntly, Aberdeenshire, on winning the PDC 2021 World Cup of Darts for Scotland with Peter Wright; notes that this is the second time in three years Scotland has won the title; commiserates with Austria, the defeated finalists this time; and wishes John and...

That this House notes that Euan McIlwraith is stepping back from his presenting role on BBC Scotland’s Aberdeen-made farming and rural programme, Landward having been a constant presence on-screen for 30 years; recognises the wide range of subjects covered by Euan during his time on the series including the catastrophic foot and mouth disease outbreak of 2001; welcomes the window the programme provides for viewers into issues affecting rural Scotland; further notes that Euan’s natural story-telling abilities and warm style have made the programme a must-see for many people; and wishes Euan all the very best going forward where his new priorities will be his grandchildren, sailing and writing.

That this House notes that Euan McIlwraith is stepping back from his presenting role on BBC Scotland’s Aberdeen-made farming and rural programme, Landward having been a constant presence on-screen for 30 years; recognises the wide range of subjects covered by Euan during his time on the series including the catastrophic...

That this House congratulates Kellands primary school of Inverurie, Aberdeenshire upon its recent award from the Scotland’s Digital Schools programme; recognises the efforts of the school in completing a rigorous self-evaluation process to demonstrate the school’s excellence in integrating digital technology into learning and teaching; further recognises the importance of digital competency in today’s schooling; commends the hard work, dedication and enthusiasm of staff at Kellends primary school on its tremendous achievement; and wishes all staff and pupils at the school well as they continue on their digital journey.

That this House congratulates Kellands primary school of Inverurie, Aberdeenshire upon its recent award from the Scotland’s Digital Schools programme; recognises the efforts of the school in completing a rigorous self-evaluation process to demonstrate the school’s excellence in integrating digital technology into learning and teaching; further recognises the importance of...

That this House congratulates the winners and finalists of the OGUK Awards, which brings the offshore oil and gas industry together to celebrate its brightest and best; acknowledges the exceptional work of the winners in the following categories: Apprentice of the Year, Scott Milligan, Graduate of the Year, Connor Robb, Mentor of the Year, John Hogg, Workforce Engagement, Spirit Energy, Business Innovation SME, Omniscient Safety Innovations Ltd, Business Innovation Large Enterprise, Petrofac, Diversity & Inclusion, Baker Hughes, Energy Transition, Total E&P UK Ltd, Excellence in Decommissioning, Fairfield Energy Ltd; notes that 19,000 votes were cast in the first-time Audience Award, won by Omniscient Safety Innovations for their standout performance after receiving over 3,000 votes; further notes the special award given to OGUK’s own Health, Safety and Environment Director Trevor Stapleton for his outstanding work dealing with the challenges brought on by covid-19 and protecting the oil and gas workforce while maintaining safe operations; and recognises that the Oil and Gas industry is a centre of excellence in subsea engineering, mature field operations and decommissioning, contributing to the security of the UK energy supply, whilst playing a part in accelerating the transition towards net zero, as it develops and deploys low carbon and net-zero carbon technologies.

That this House congratulates the winners and finalists of the OGUK Awards, which brings the offshore oil and gas industry together to celebrate its brightest and best; acknowledges the exceptional work of the winners in the following categories: Apprentice of the Year, Scott Milligan, Graduate of the Year, Connor Robb,...