West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Andrew Bowie has extended a warm Highland Games invitation to a senior Cabinet Minister.
Mr Bowie is looking to increase the spotlight on Scotland’s packed timetable of Games, both great and small.
He extended the invitation to the Leader of the House of Commons, Andrea Leadsom, during a questions session in the chamber.
Highland Games play a vital role in the economy and we in West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine are proud to have the best in the country, I was delighted the Leader of House accepted my invitation to attend. pic.twitter.com/ttbeFVCAMY
— Andrew Bowie MP (@AndrewBowieMP) June 14, 2018
The Scottish Conservative MP followed up by asking whether he could secure a debate on the benefit of such events to the local economy.
He asked Mrs Leadsom: “My right honourable Friend will be aware that highland games season is now upon us, and from Drumtochty to Aboyne, Lonach, Braemar and Ballater, West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine boasts the best Highland Games in the country.
“I invite the Leader of the House to my constituency to attend the Games, and will she grant a debate in Government time about the importance of these fantastic events to the economy of north-east Scotland?”
Mrs Leadsom said she would be “delighted” and would “turn her hand” to one of the sports, adding:
“I congratulate all those who take part in the fantastic Highland Games for which Scotland is known throughout the world.
“I am sure my honourable Friend will find other opportunities to raise the success of those Games in this place.”
Mr Bowie, a parliamentary private secretary within the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, previously welcomed the news that the UK Government will send international trade experts to a number of Games and Gatherings across Scotland this summer.
He was told by the Department for International Trade’s Minister for investment that the government will be represented at many Games this year.