Jim Hume, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for South Scotland and Housing Spokesperson, this week spent a morning out in the county with East Lothian Housing Association's Chief Executive.

The MSP discussed a range of housing issues with Mr Pollhammer during the roving site visit.

Mr Hume said:

"A large part of East Lothian is very rural with a number of people employed in the agricultural sector where wages are traditionally on the lower end of the spectrum, so this combination of factors presents particular housing challenges for some parts of the area.

Jim Hume, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for South Scotland, has backed an innovative project which raises awareness of the vital contribution of those who care for the estimated 86,000 people in Scotland living with dementia.

The Dementia Carer Voices Project from the Health and Social Care Alliance harnesses the work of Tommy Whitelaw, a former carer for his late Mum Joan, who has collected hundreds of life stories from people which detail the difficult and different experience of caring for a loved one living with dementia. These demonstrate that carers of people with dementia often feel isolated and that there is insufficient recognition of the range of complex issues about which they are expected to have understanding.

Commenting on the Healthcare Improvement Scotland report on NHS Dumfries and Galloway's management of adverse events, Scottish Liberal Democrat South Scotland MSP and Health Spokesperson Jim Hume said:

"This review and the wider review process across Scotland is crucial in ensuring lessons are learnt from NHS Ayrshire and Arran. Never again can reports which could have saved lives be allowed to be buried amidst a fog of complicated procedures and management structures.

Jim Hume, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for South Scotland and Health Spokesperson, has warned Scottish Government Ministers that they must ensure that safeguards are in place to prevent a repeat of the baby ashes scandal.

Mr Hume made the comments after reports that Glasgow Council is set to write to Ministers asking for a nationwide inquiry into policies and practices at crematoria in Scotland.

Commenting on the day that the Scottish Court Service published its recommendation to close courts in Kirkcudbright and Annan, Scottish Liberal Democrat South Scotland MSP Jim Hume said:

"Reform is always needed to increase efficiency and ensure that Scotland's criminal justice system is fit for the 21st century. However, I share the worries of residents and legal professionals that that closing Kirkcudbright and Annan courts could have a damaging effect on the length of time cases take to be heard.

Commenting on the day that the Scottish Court Service published its recommendation to close Haddington Sheriff Court, Scottish Liberal Democrat South Scotland MSP Jim Hume said:

"Reform is always needed to increase efficiency and ensure that Scotland's criminal justice system is fit for the 21st century. However, I share the worries of residents and legal professionals that that closing Haddington Sheriff Court could have a damaging effect on the length of time cases take to be heard.

Commenting on the day that the Scottish Court Service published its recommendation to close Duns and Peebles Sheriff Courts, Scottish Liberal Democrat Borders MSP Jim Hume said:

"Reform is always needed to increase efficiency and ensure that Scotland's criminal justice system is fit for the 21st century. However, I share the worries of residents and legal professionals that that closing Duns and Peebles Sheriff Courts could have a damaging effect on the length of time cases take to be heard.

Scottish Liberal Democrat South Scotland MSP Jim Hume has got behind local campaigners' efforts to stop the closure of libraries and other community facilities across Midlothian.

Mr Hume said:

"The threat of closure hanging over local libraries, pools and leisure centres is a worrying prospect for residents in these communities, and the strength of feeling is illustrated by Keep Our Library Local campaigners which have so far collected roughly 2200 signatures on their petition for Newtongrange Library.

Jim Hume, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for South Scotland, last week spent Good Friday morning delivering shopping to elderly residents across Annandale when he volunteered with the Food Train.

Mr Hume said:

"It was great to see how the Food Train works and it really underlined what a lifeline service it provides to its 600 elderly clients across Dumfries and Galloway.

Jim Hume, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for South Scotland, has welcomed news that the Dumfries/Biggar 100 bus series is set for a public inquiry by the Traffic Commissioner on 17^th April.

Mr Hume said:

"It's a great pity that passengers have genuinely suffered with the 100 series in the last few months, but I welcome the news that the Traffic Commissioner will hold a public inquiry.

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for South Scotland, Jim Hume, has announced his intention to consult on a proposal for a Members' Bill which would ban passive smoking in cars with children.

There are a number of countries which have legislated to ban smoking in vehicles while children are present, including Australia, Canada, South Africa and others.

Jim Hume, Scottish Liberal Democrat Borders MSP, has welcomed Scottish Borders Council's plans to invest over £2 million in roads across the Borders.

Mr Hume said:

"Maintaining a good road network is undoubtedly one of the biggest issues in the Borders, and that's been especially true in recent years with the extreme weather making it almost impossible to keep up with the constant round of repairs.

Commenting on reports confirming the presence of Schmallenberg virus in eight Dumfriesshire cattle, Scottish Liberal Democrat South Scotland MSP Jim Hume said:

"The Rural Affairs Secretary needs to take a firm grip of this problem and ensure that a vaccine is available at the earliest opportunity.

"In the meantime, I would urge farmers to take part in the surveillance exercise being administered by the NFUS."

Jim Hume, Scottish Liberal Democrat Borders MSP, has said that a recent report by the WRVS is a damning indictment of the SNP's transport policy which is leaving older people feeling isolated.

The MSP made the comments in light of the recent WRVS report which highlighted the growing isolation felt by older people in areas with insufficient public transport.

Jim Hume, Scottish Liberal Democrat South Scotland MSP, has described today's budget news on income tax as a welcome step for low and middle earners across East Lothian.

Today's budget announced that the income tax personal allowance will be raised to £10,000 in April 2014 - one year sooner than had been expected.

Jim Hume, Scottish Liberal Democrat Borders MSP, has welcomed news that Borders businesses will have the chance to debate what independence will mean for them at a forthcoming event in Selkirk organised by Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Hume said:

"The SNP so far have refused to provide a grain of detail about the benefits of independence to business, so I welcome the chance for local Borders firms to take part in this important discussion.

Jim Hume, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for South Scotland, has questioned Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill about the introduction of a dedicated armed response unit across Dumfries and Galloway.

The move comes ahead of Mr MacAskill's visit to the new police force this Monday (18^th March).

In a letter to the Justice Secretary, Mr Hume said:

Jim Hume, Scottish Liberal Democrat South Scotland MSP and health spokesperson, has slammed the Health Secretary for selling patients a pig in a poke as answers to parliamentary questions reveal that there are still no substantial details on the Scottish Government's emergency care action plan.

A series of answers also revealed:

Jim Hume, Scottish Liberal Democrat Borders MSP, has today said that the uncertainty over the ability centre in Galashiels has now been lifted following news that the proposed redesign plans have been withdrawn.

The MSP met with ability centre users in January.

Mr Hume said:

"The ability centre is a definite lifeline for some of the most vulnerable people in the Borders.