Thursday, 14th May 2009
Struan highlights vital role Scottish constituents’ play in European issues
Dear Sir,
From September, retailers will no longer be able to buy new stock of incandescent lightbulbs, following a European Union ban. Conventional 100 and 60 watt ‘pearl’ bulbs, as well as more specialised bulbs including 25 watt and 40 watt which are shaped like candles or golf balls, will be replaced by more energy efficient lightbulbs. From an energy conservation view this must be welcomed.
It also highlights the vital role Scottish constituents’ play in European issues. It was thanks to a constituent that I was able to alert the European Commission about the issue and ask for an amendment for lupus and migraine sufferers. If a constituent had not alert me to this issue, thousands of lupus and migraine sufferers across the EU would have been left with no alternative after incandescent bulbs were phased out. Now, they will have access to a type of halogen built in a ‘normal’ lightbulb casing which would not cause the flickering that affects lupus and migraine sufferers but which will still save energy.
Yours faithfully,
Struan Stevenson
