John Mason, the SNP MP for Glasgow East, has expressed disappointment at the Competition Appeals Tribunal decision to overturn the Competition Commission’s ruling that BAA must sell some of its airports including either Edinburgh or Glasgow.

John Mason, who represents the East End in the House of Commons, thinks that it would be better for Glasgow if the BAA was forced to sell one of its main Scottish airports. Speaking earlier today (21 December), he said:

“In the aftermath of Globespan having gone into administration, it is vitally important that Glasgow Airport attracts new routes. I think that this is more likely to be achieved if Glasgow and Edinburgh airport are owned by different companies, rather than both operated by BAA.

“With one operator owning two airports within an hour’s drive of each other there is little incentive for them to introduce competition on routes, tickets or charges.

“This monopoly on air travel in Scotland is compounded by flights forced to go through London hubs. Scots travellers are being charged twice and paying fares considerably over the odds. Competition between airports could bring considerably more direct flights.”

John Mason has received information, from the Under Secretary of State for Scotland, that those stranded abroad are being offered reduced rate emergency flights from Easyjet, Ryan Air and possibly also Flybe.

East End constituents whose travel plans have been hit are advised to check out the websites of these carriers and also the website of the Civil Aviation Authority on www.caa.co.uk.

• MP concerned over rubbish collection issue
• Mason welcomes funding boost for 2014 Glasgow Games
• East End to benefit from Scottish Government’s school building programme
• Everyone needs a holiday!

Download PDF

Commenting on the Chancellor’s pre-budget report commitment to cut bingo duty from 22 per cent to 20 per cent, the SNP MP for Glasgow East, John Mason, has expressed regret that the Treasury has not listened to calls to bring Bingo taxation into line with taxation of other gaming activities.

The Scottish National Party’s MPs have long campaigned for an end to the unfair taxation scheme which has put great strain on business and played a contributing role in the closure of 31 clubs in 2008 and 2009.

Commenting, John Mason said:

“The Chancellor of the Exchequer has made a step in the right direction, but it does not go far enough towards bringing bingo taxation into line with other gaming activities.

“Bingo actually has a serious social role to play because research has shown that provides a great many people who are elderly and live alone with a social focus.

“The eastern part of Glasgow is lucky enough to have access to a number of large bingo venues, and these provide a number of valuable jobs in the East End. As such, it is vital to our area that the UK Government’s discrimination against bingo is ended.

“Other gambling activities are taxed at 15 per cent and the bingo industry should not be singled out for harsh treatment. It’s good news that Labour is starting to see the error of its ways and beginning to back bingo.”