North East Fife’s MP Sir Menzies Campbell is showing his support for WWF’s Earth Hour.

WWF’s Earth Hour is a global initiative taking place on Saturday 27 March 2010 between 8.30pm-9.30pm. WWF is calling on individuals, businesses, iconic landmarks and local authorities to sign up to switch off their lights for one hour to show they care about people and wildlife threatened by climate change. This year’s event is set to surpass those from previous years’, with over 1,100 cities and towns across the globe switching off their lights in support of Earth Hour.

This year more than 91 countries taking part. A ripple will cross the Earth as landmarks in 25 time zones switch off. Many of the world’s most iconic landmarks are on board including Piccadilly Circus and the London Eye, Manchester’s Trafford Centre, and Inverness Castle.

Commenting after attending a parliamentary reception to show his support, Sir Menzies said:

“The WWF’s Earth Hour initiative is really building momentum. On 27th March, as lights are switched off across the globe, world leaders will be left in no doubt about people’s support for immediate action to tackle climate change. I am very pleased to play my part.”

North East Fife’s MP Sir Menzies Campbell and MSP Iain Smith have urged the Chief Executive of the National Trust for Scotland to ensure that the Hill of Tarvit Mansion House near Cupar remains open permanently.

In a letter to Kate Mavor, Chief Executive of the NTS, Sir Menzies and Mr Smith highlighted the importance of the property to the cultural heritage of Scotland and North East Fife and its positive contribution to the local tourist industry.

Following a hard fought campaign last year by Sir Menzies, Iain Smith, members of the public and the East Fife Members’ Centre of the NTS, Kellie Castle was saved from closure and the Hill of Tarvit was given a temporary stay of execution.

The NTS are due to make a final decision about the Mansion House’s future.

In their letter Sir Menzies and Mr Smith said:

“As you know, Hill of Tarvit is an important part of North East Fife’s and indeed Scotland’s cultural heritage and makes a positive contribution to the local tourist industry. There is an opportunity, through further diversification and promotion, to heighten its appeal and thus increase revenue.

“Furthermore, the fact that it costs a similar amount of money to maintain the house while closed as it does when open to the public must give serious weight to the case for its permanent reinstatement.

“We both wish Hill of Tarvit to be re-opened and it is clear from local public opinion that residents in North East Fife and the East Fife Members’ Centre of the NTS are also firmly of this view.”

Government figures obtained by Sir Menzies Campbell MP show that as many as 2,000 pensioners living in North East Fife could be missing out on receiving Cold Weather Payments triggered by the recent bad weather.

Cold Weather Payments of £25 a week are paid to people on low incomes who receive a qualifying benefit, such as Pension Credit. It is paid when temperatures are below zero degrees Celsius for seven consecutive days.

Up to 1.7 million pensioners in the United Kingdom are missing payments worth an estimated £42.5 million.

Commenting, Sir Menzies said:

“During a period of extended bad weather Cold Weather Payments are a lifeline to people on low incomes who are already struggling to pay their usual heating bills. If pensioners are to heat their homes adequately during such periods, they must have the reassurance that they will be financially supported.

“In the short-term the Government must do all it can to identify those pensioners who qualify for this payment. In the long-term they must simplify the benefits system so that vulnerable people can more easily access the financial support due to them.”

The news that medics from 612 Squadron at RAF Leuchars will be among the 1000 Scottish troops soon to be deployed in Afghanistan “underlines the extent to which reserve forces are contributing”, according to North East Fife MP and member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee Sir Menzies Campbell.

“This announcement underlines the extent to which reserve forces are contributing to the effort in Afghanistan, and also points up the folly of the previous proposal from the government to cut the training hours of the Territorial Army”, said Sir Menzies.

“The public will want to be assured that both regulars and reservists alike are fully trained and properly equipped.

“The whole community will wish them godspeed and a safe return.”

Sir Menzies Campbell MP has expressed concern about reports that people with cancer are being threatened with benefit cuts if they do not attend back-to-work interviews.

A report by two charities, Macmillan Cancer Support and Citizens Advice, has found the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) process, which was introduced in October 2008 to encourage ‘job ready’ people to return to work, is failing seriously ill and disabled people.

Commenting, Sir Menzies said:

“It is unacceptable that people who are undergoing exhausting chemotherapy or radiotherapy or suffering terminal cancer should be expected to attend work-focused interviews to secure benefits. People coping with cancer should not have to worry about benefits which are due to them by right.

“A lack of understanding about cancer and the effects of its treatment combined with poor knowledge of the ESA system means cancer sufferers are at risk of financial hardship. Applying some common sense to the system would go a long way.”