Motions & Support

S3M-04211# Bill Kidd (Glasgow) (Scottish National Party): Shine on Scotland— That the Parliament commends Ryan McLaughlin, a 14-year-old young man from Glasgow, on his Shine on Scotland campaign and accompanying e-petition, which seeks to raise public awareness about the benefits of vitamin D in relation to multiple sclerosis (MS), seeks clarification on Scottish Government advice on the recommended daily allowance of vitamin D for children, adults and pregnant women and plans to ensure that these levels are delivered to each of these groups; notes that Ryan developed this campaign after his mother, a former Scottish taekwondo champion, developed MS in her thirties, and welcomes Ryan when he comes to the Parliament, leading 500 children on a march, to lodge his petition on 16 June 2009.

Supported by: Jackie Baillie, Aileen Campbell, Bob Doris, Jamie Hepburn, Dr Alasdair Allan, Stuart McMillan, Pauline McNeill, Anne McLaughlin, Elaine Smith, Bill Butler, Christine Grahame, Christina McKelvie, Kenneth Gibson, Sandra White, Robert Brown, Gil Paterson, Joe FitzPatrick, Karen Gillon
Lodged on Thursday, May 21, 2009; Current

*S3M-4251 Bill Butler: World MS Day—That the Parliament notes that the first World MS Day, established by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation and its member MS societies, will be held on Wednesday 27 May 2009; welcomes the contribution that the day can make to raising awareness of MS, national MS societies and the global MS movement; commends the MS Society Scotland for the work that it does to raise awareness and provide support for people affected by the condition, and looks forward to welcoming Ryan McLaughlin, a 14-year-old young man from Glasgow, on 16 June 2009 when he will present a petition calling for increased public awareness of the benefits of vitamin D in relation to MS, with particular regard to young children and pregnant women, as part of his Shine on Scotland campaign.

Supported by: John Lamont*, Hugh O’Donnell*, Karen Whitefield*, Kenneth Gibson*, Patricia Ferguson*, Margaret Curran*, David Stewart*, Tricia Marwick*, Elaine Smith*, Trish Godman*, Cathy Peattie*, Mike Pringle*, Pauline McNeill*, John Scott*, James Kelly*, Cathie Craigie*, Jim Tolson*, Jamie McGrigor*, Ken Macintosh*, Bill Kidd*

Margaret Curran (Glasgow Baillieston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers the benefits to be of vitamin D in the prevention of multiple sclerosis.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is keen to learn all we can about any possible links between vitamin D and multiple sclerosis and is keeping a very close eye on all the emerging evidence. If the recommendations on vitamin D need to change, we will certainly make the appropriate arrangements.

In addition the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) is currently funding three research grants into multiple sclerosis (MS) at a total cost of £312,310 and two projects into vitamin D, costing £497,710. Additionally the Food Standards Agency is funding other studies on vitamin D which are due to report in the next year or two.

Margaret Curran (Glasgow Baillieston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the Shine on Scotland campaign for vitamin D to be provided to children and pregnant women in order to prevent the development of multiple sclerosis.

Shona Robison: We are aware of the Shine on Scotland campaign and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing has agreed to receive the associated petition in the Garden Lobby of the Scottish Parliament on 16 June 2009.

We recognise the importance of vitamin D in relation to a number of health issues and will consider all of the emerging evidence before coming to any decisions on future action.

Related Articles

• Sun block (bbc.co.uk)