That this House praises the work of lvan Wood and Sons, a fruit and vegetable wholesaler in Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency; welcomes the expansion of its operation to include a hypermarket and an interactive education centre which allows children to learn about farming and recycling, creating a further 50 jobs; recognises that the business uses only locally sourced produce as well as having a patented water filtration system to ensure that all its waste is 100 per cent recyclable; acknowledges the importance of small businesses to the economy and local community; notes that this family-run business is a leader in green innovation and is setting new standards in waste management; and wishes everyone at Ivan Wood and Sons the best of success with its expansion and future endeavours.

That this House praises the work of lvan Wood and Sons, a fruit and vegetable wholesaler in Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency; welcomes the expansion of its operation to include a hypermarket and an interactive education centre which allows children to learn about farming and recycling, creating a further 50 jobs;...

That this House recognises the achievements of BRAG Enterprise, which is based in Lochgelly; commends the work it does in regenerating local communities through the creation and support of sustainable employment; welcomes the organisation's new programme Greenpower Formula 24 which introduces young people to STEM subjects through the designing, building, modification and racing of a full-size single seater battery-powered racing car; praises the project's aims to change the perception of STEM subjects and encourage more girls into the field; wishes the project every success and hopes it will inspire many into the field; understands the great potential for work like this to be developed in Scotland; and highlights the importance of STEM subjects to Scotland and its wider economy.

That this House recognises the achievements of BRAG Enterprise, which is based in Lochgelly; commends the work it does in regenerating local communities through the creation and support of sustainable employment; welcomes the organisation's new programme Greenpower Formula 24 which introduces young people to STEM subjects through the designing, building,...

That this House welcomes Kirkcaldy Golf Club's appointment of a woman captain for the first time since it was founded in 1904; congratulates Heather Stuart on her appointment as captain; recognises that the club has taken a positive direction and hopes that this will inspire other clubs to do the same; acknowledges the importance of having an inclusive club which is representative of all of its members; commends the club’s progressive approach; and wishes everyone involved all the best in their future endeavours.

That this House welcomes Kirkcaldy Golf Club's appointment of a woman captain for the first time since it was founded in 1904; congratulates Heather Stuart on her appointment as captain; recognises that the club has taken a positive direction and hopes that this will inspire other clubs to do the...

That this House recognises the achievements of Stacey Gunn, the founder of the Zodiac School of Dance which is based in Lochgelly; praises the work done to turn the local miners institute into a dance studio which now acts as a hub for many people, both local and further afield; acknowledges that the studio provides classes on a daily basis in a variety of different styles to pupils aged between 3 and 25-years old; notes that the studio also runs various toddler movement classes capturing the 12 months to three-years age group; hopes that the dance school continues to be a pillar of the local community and understands the positive aspect that it brings to the local areas; and highlights the fact that the school started from a single dance class with half a dozen people and is now a dance training centre for children, young people and adults from all over Fife.

That this House recognises the achievements of Stacey Gunn, the founder of the Zodiac School of Dance which is based in Lochgelly; praises the work done to turn the local miners institute into a dance studio which now acts as a hub for many people, both local and further afield;...

That this House recognises that the Links Market in Kirkcaldy is the longest street fair in Europe; welcomes the start of the six-day carnival; acknowledges that the market continues to play a significant part in the community and has done every year since its beginning 700 years ago; highlights the great contribution the fair brings to the local economy; thanks the showmen involved for providing a fun and enjoyable atmosphere for all; and commends the steps taken by organisers, local services and police to ensure the safety and security of all those involved.

That this House recognises that the Links Market in Kirkcaldy is the longest street fair in Europe; welcomes the start of the six-day carnival; acknowledges that the market continues to play a significant part in the community and has done every year since its beginning 700 years ago; highlights the...

That this House commends the People's Assembly Fife on its report on transition from ESA to JSA; understands that volunteers from the People's Assembly Fife undertook a project over the course of 2016 aimed at advising people who faced benefit sanctions and that this involved speaking to claimants at Kirkcaldy Jobcentre Plus who were transitioning to jobseeker's allowance (JSA) after failing the work capability assessment (WCA); further understands that, according to the report, volunteers spoke to approximately 400 people, of whom 25 per cent were transitioning from employment and support allowance (ESA) to JSA after failing the WCA; notes that the report found very significant gaps in time between claimants receiving their last ESA payment and their first JSA payment and that most were still waiting for their claim to be processed; further notes, from the report, that claimants said they had been waiting for as long as 12 weeks to receive a JSA payment, that most claimants had no other source of income, and that some said that they were begging or relying on family members or the local foodbank for food, and that none of the claimants spoken to by volunteers were aware that they could request an advance payment; and considers it imperative that the Government should ensure that the transition from ESA to JSA is seamless and that claimants should not be left without any source of income while transitioning between the two benefits.

That this House commends the People's Assembly Fife on its report on transition from ESA to JSA; understands that volunteers from the People's Assembly Fife undertook a project over the course of 2016 aimed at advising people who faced benefit sanctions and that this involved speaking to claimants at Kirkcaldy...

That this House sends its condolences to the family of D-day veteran John McGhee who sadly passed away in February 2017; commends him on his receipt of the Legion d'Honneur; acknowledges the valued contribution he has made to his country; praises the involvement he had in his local community and his Citizen of the Year for Cowdenbeath award; notes John's dedication to commemorating war veterans, including the role he played in arranging the erection of a memorial at the town house in Cowdenbeath, and his membership of the Fife branch of the Normandy Veterans Association; and recognises John as a lifelong supporter of Scottish independence.

That this House sends its condolences to the family of D-day veteran John McGhee who sadly passed away in February 2017; commends him on his receipt of the Legion d'Honneur; acknowledges the valued contribution he has made to his country; praises the involvement he had in his local community and...

That this House commends Cowdenbeath Football Club on its announcement of Central Park as a breastfeeding friendly football ground; acknowledges that Cowdenbeath FC's initiative is a very positive and pro-active step towards making football grounds across the country accessible to families with young children; understands that approximately 70 per cent of professional football clubs in Scotland have signed up to the breastfeeding friendly scheme; and looks forward to many more clubs in the UK joining them in the near future.

That this House commends Cowdenbeath Football Club on its announcement of Central Park as a breastfeeding friendly football ground; acknowledges that Cowdenbeath FC's initiative is a very positive and pro-active step towards making football grounds across the country accessible to families with young children; understands that approximately 70 per cent...

That this House commends the dedication of Fife Women's Aid (FWA) in supporting women, children and young people across Fife who are experiencing domestic abuse; understands that staff and volunteers provide refuge accommodation, support, group work, information, advocacy, counselling, befriending, family work, court support and an emergency out-of-hours service; further understands, from figures given in the FWA Report 2015-16, that FWA supported 1,061 women through the Women's Support Service, that 129 women and 120 children accessed refuge in Fife during this 12 month period and that 317 children and young people accessed the Children and Young People Service; recognises that FWA work hard to sustain frontline services and to meet the needs of its service users and the requirements of its funders in a challenging economic climate; and wishes FWA all the very best for the future.

That this House commends the dedication of Fife Women's Aid (FWA) in supporting women, children and young people across Fife who are experiencing domestic abuse; understands that staff and volunteers provide refuge accommodation, support, group work, information, advocacy, counselling, befriending, family work, court support and an emergency out-of-hours service; further...

That this House commends the Cottage Family Centre, based in Templehall, Kirkcaldy, on its 2016 Christmas appeal; understands that this appeal was aimed at ensuring that families in the local area did not have to go without presents at Christmas; notes that the Centre appealed for donations of toys and gifts for children aged up to 16 years, as well as food, toiletries and cash; further commends the ongoing dedication of staff and volunteers and the generosity of individuals and businesses who have donated to the Centre since its establishment in 1987; understands that the Centre was originally founded by a group of local parents to provide a family centre that would cater for the needs of families with pre-school children; and wishes the Cottage Family Centre and its clients the very best for the future.

That this House commends the Cottage Family Centre, based in Templehall, Kirkcaldy, on its 2016 Christmas appeal; understands that this appeal was aimed at ensuring that families in the local area did not have to go without presents at Christmas; notes that the Centre appealed for donations of toys and...

That this House commends Cowdenbeath Karate Club on its contribution to the community and the sport; congratulates it on its achievements both at home and throughout Europe; acknowledges the club's high standard of training, exemplified by its production of five British champions; understands that the club enjoys a strong working relationship with 2004 World Karate Champion, Paul Newby, who has arranged visits to the club from a range of world-class athletes, including 2016 World Karate Champion, Jordan Thomas; praises the club's contribution to various charities over the years; recognises the positive community spirit demonstrated by all those involved in the club; and wishes them all the best for the future.

That this House commends Cowdenbeath Karate Club on its contribution to the community and the sport; congratulates it on its achievements both at home and throughout Europe; acknowledges the club's high standard of training, exemplified by its production of five British champions; understands that the club enjoys a strong working...

That this House congratulates the former mining town of Lochgelly in Fife on being awarded the title of Scotland's Most Improved Town at the 2016 Scottish Urban Regeneration Forum (SURF) awards; notes that recent improvements include the regeneration of the Co-operative buildings, the completion of the Town House development, the development of social housing on unused land, the creation of new houses and shops in Main Street, the demolition of the town centre flats, the installation of the MUGA court, improvements made to the public park, and the arranging of gala days and Christmas lights; acknowledges the work and dedication of a wide variety of community groups and community-minded individuals, including local residents and Lochgelly Community Development Forum, as well as many others who have contributed to the town's improvement; and looks forward to a continued long-term approach to the regeneration of Lochgelly.

That this House congratulates the former mining town of Lochgelly in Fife on being awarded the title of Scotland's Most Improved Town at the 2016 Scottish Urban Regeneration Forum (SURF) awards; notes that recent improvements include the regeneration of the Co-operative buildings, the completion of the Town House development, the...

That this House congratulates Kirkcaldy resident Maciej Wiczynski on being awarded Outstanding Young Pole in the Outstanding Pole in the United Kingdom 2016 contest; commends him for his contribution to politics both in the UK and abroad; acknowledges the aims of the Polish Promotional Emblem Foundation whose main objective through this competition is to create a positive image of Poles; welcomes highlighting the achievements of Poles who have been able to succeed at home and abroad; recognises the achievements of all those who were in receipt of an award at the Outstanding Pole awards; and wishes them all the best for the future.

That this House congratulates Kirkcaldy resident Maciej Wiczynski on being awarded Outstanding Young Pole in the Outstanding Pole in the United Kingdom 2016 contest; commends him for his contribution to politics both in the UK and abroad; acknowledges the aims of the Polish Promotional Emblem Foundation whose main objective through...

That this House recognises and congratulates Maggie's Centre Fife on its 10th birthday; understands that the centre has supported over 55,000 visits since it opened in 2006; acknowledges that the centre provides vital support to people affected by cancer, offering a programme of support that has been shown to strengthen physical and emotional wellbeing, including practical support, social support and emotional support; further recognises that the centre also supports family and friends of patients through the difficult times that follow a cancer diagnosis of a loved one; further acknowledges the invaluable help and support provided by Maggie's Centre during the many challenges faced by people affected by cancer; and commends the hard work and commitment of all the staff and volunteers and wishes them all the very best for the future.

That this House recognises and congratulates Maggie's Centre Fife on its 10th birthday; understands that the centre has supported over 55,000 visits since it opened in 2006; acknowledges that the centre provides vital support to people affected by cancer, offering a programme of support that has been shown to strengthen...

That this House commends the many years of hard work by Eileen McKenna, Helen Ross and Christine McGrath in their respective roles as Lochgelly Community Development Forum's chairperson, treasurer and secretary; recognises the contribution they have made throughout the Lochgelly community and most recently through the organisation of the Lochgelly gala; acknowledges that the trio are now retiring from the Gala Committee but will continue to make a positive impact in the community through involvement in the local charity shop and Lochgelly Christmas lights; and wishes them all the best for the future.

That this House commends the many years of hard work by Eileen McKenna, Helen Ross and Christine McGrath in their respective roles as Lochgelly Community Development Forum's chairperson, treasurer and secretary; recognises the contribution they have made throughout the Lochgelly community and most recently through the organisation of the Lochgelly...

That this House recognises that three year old Ava Stark, of Lochgelly in Fife, has been diagnosed with inherited bone marrow failure, an extremely rare blood condition which requires her to receive regular blood and platelet transfusions; understands that Ava's condition necessitates a stem cell transplant in order to guarantee her survival; congratulates Ava and her family for encouraging more than 10,000 new people to sign up as bone marrow donors since her case was profiled nationally in Scotland; notes that a donor match has not yet been identified for Ava; and encourages as many people as possible throughout the UK to register as a bone marrow donor with Anthony Nolan in order to provide the best possible chance of securing a suitable donor for Ava, and to improve the support available to the approximately 34,000 people in the UK who are diagnosed with a blood cancer every year.

That this House recognises that three year old Ava Stark, of Lochgelly in Fife, has been diagnosed with inherited bone marrow failure, an extremely rare blood condition which requires her to receive regular blood and platelet transfusions; understands that Ava's condition necessitates a stem cell transplant in order to guarantee...

That this House recognises that exposure to residual particles from weaponry containing the radioactive metal depleted uranium (DU), used in the invasions of both Iraq and Afghanistan, continues to produce serious and long-term health problems, not only for Iraqi and Afghani citizens living close to conflict zones, but also for British army personnel who were exposed to the weaponry during those wars; notes that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has indicated that exposure to DU can lead to serious health consequences, including kidney failure, lung damage and lung cancer; understands that, as well as producing damage through the impact of the weaponry, exposure to this radioactive metal can also lead to painful health conditions which can manifest many years after initial exposure, and which become exacerbated over time, before eventually culminating in the fatality of the exposed individual; is aware that the WHO has recommended that clean-up operations are commissioned in conflict zones with high concentrations of DU, and that further research is required to understand the full extent of its potential impact on the health of exposed individuals; and, given the seriousness of its health consequences which we are already aware of, calls on the Government to consider legislating to prohibit the use of DU in the manufacturing of any future weaponry.

That this House recognises that exposure to residual particles from weaponry containing the radioactive metal depleted uranium (DU), used in the invasions of both Iraq and Afghanistan, continues to produce serious and long-term health problems, not only for Iraqi and Afghani citizens living close to conflict zones, but also for...

That this House congratulates Burntisland and Flekkefjord on the 70th anniversary of their twinning, which is understood to be one of the oldest existing town twinnings in the world; notes that the twinning was formalised in 1946, and has endured for seven decades through the efforts of both towns and their residents; welcomes the special delegation from Norway to Burntisland, which is to include a youth contingent and the Mayor of Flekkefjord; thanks the host families who will be welcoming the youngsters from Norway into their homes for the duration of their stay; hopes that the various events organised for the Norwegian visitors will be successful and enjoyed by the delegation; acknowledges that the visit will focus on strengthening ties, in order to maintain friendships and cultural links between the two communities; recognises that Burntisland and Flekkefjord have much in common, including their rich maritime history and modern dependency on industry and tourism; highlights that twinnings offer a unique insight into another country; and further hopes that the Burntisland youth delegation will enjoy their trip to Norway in 2017.

That this House congratulates Burntisland and Flekkefjord on the 70th anniversary of their twinning, which is understood to be one of the oldest existing town twinnings in the world; notes that the twinning was formalised in 1946, and has endured for seven decades through the efforts of both towns and...

That this House recognises, in the spirit of Jo Cox's appreciation for collaborative politics, the outstanding contribution by Councillor Willie Clarke to his local community in Fife; understands that, following a career as a miner at the Seafield Pit in Kirkcaldy, Mr Clarke was elected as a councillor for the Ballingry area in 1973; notes that he held the Ballingry seat until 1996, when he was elected as Councillor for the Benarty area of Fife following local government reorganisation; highlights the fact that Mr Clarke served his community as a councillor for 43 successive years, elected firstly as a communist candidate before becoming an Independent candidate; acknowledges that Mr Clarke was Branch Secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and served on the Scottish Executive of the NUM for 10 years, and on the Fife Health Board from 1982 to 1986 as the STUC nominee; further recognises that Mr Clarke served on various Fife Council committees throughout his local council career, including as Vice-Chair of the Special Cases sub-committee, and as Chairman of the Cowdenbeath Area Committee; further understands that he was a founding member of the first community credit union in Fife, and later helped to form the Benarty and Lochgelly Credit Union; praises his contribution to the biggest land reclamation in Europe, when the pit workings around the Mary Pit in Lochore were transformed into the beautiful Lochore Meadow Country Park; and hopes that Mr Clarke will enjoy a long and happy retirement, whilst continuing his public life as a member of Fife Day Care, Benarty Management Committee and Benarty and Lochgelly Credit Union.

That this House recognises, in the spirit of Jo Cox's appreciation for collaborative politics, the outstanding contribution by Councillor Willie Clarke to his local community in Fife; understands that, following a career as a miner at the Seafield Pit in Kirkcaldy, Mr Clarke was elected as a councillor for the...

That this House acknowledges that in the period preceding the establishment of the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957, which later became the European Union (EU), there were a great many conflicts in Europe, including two World Wars; notes that the University of Uppsala, Sweden has identified that Europe has been the world's most peaceful region since the conclusion of the Second World War, with fewer armed conflicts than any other region in the world during this period; remarks that, subsequent to the establishment of the EEC in 1957, no further pan-European armed conflicts have taken place; recognises that the EU was founded on the principles of establishing a peaceful, united and prosperous Europe; congratulates the EU for the role it has played in fostering a sense of cohesion and unity, as well as a spirit of peace and reconciliation, among its Member States; praises the role which close inter-member State cooperation and collaboration has played in engendering this sense of unity in Europe, for which the EU received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012; believes in the words attributed to Churchill that it is better to jaw-jaw than to war-war and that the continuation of this spirit of peace is beneficial to the interests of all the nations of the UK; and expresses its hope that the role of the EU in fostering close inter-member state collaboration is positively considered by the peoples of the UK ahead of the forthcoming EU referendum on 23 June 2016.

That this House acknowledges that in the period preceding the establishment of the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957, which later became the European Union (EU), there were a great many conflicts in Europe, including two World Wars; notes that the University of Uppsala, Sweden has identified that Europe has...