10/11/2011 Reporting Scotland

Tonight, on Reporting Scotland - We're live at the former RAF base

at Kinloss, which is to get a new lease of life. Nearly a thousand

soldiers and their families are to move in.

They died at the hands of those who should have cared for them. Now

there's a warning that babies in Scotland are more likely to be

abused or killed than older children. Why does the First

Minister not just get on with it? Ruth Davidson takes the fight to

the First Minister on her Holyrood debut as Scottish Conservative

leader. A poignant reminder from the First

World War. A Scottish soldier saved a poppy on his last day in the

trenches. It is all the memories that that poppy signify eyes. It is

something that is going to live forever.

The former RAF base at Kinloss in Moray is to become the home to

nearly a thousand soldiers and their families. The news has been

welcomed by the local community who'd been concerned about the

impact of the closure of the airbase earlier this year. Our

reporter Craig Anderson is at Kinloss tonight.

It was a devastating shock for this area when it was announced in the

Strategic Defence Review last year that this base was surplus to

requirements and as many as 1580 F and civilian jobs would be going.

There was a potential lifeline thrown out at that point that some

are made jobs would be coming here with the transferor personnel in

the future, but that was vague. Today's announcement is much more

than many people in this community could have hoped for.

The decision to scrap the new Nimrod programme before this I

planes were even flown in anger sounded the death-knell for up RAF

Kinloss. The air force came here at the start of the Second World War

and there was sadness and anger in the local community that such a

small local bond was being broken. -- strong local bond. Today's use

meant more or wife for this area. This will fill the huge gap that

people were worried about and will mean people can be transferred as

soon as possible. Army engineers or transferred from Cambridge are to

Kinloss next summer, two years earlier than expected. Opposition

MPs remain critical of the scale of cutbacks in Scotland. We're

concerned at the drop and personnel. It is 41% less than the full

complement at Kinloss. Business confidence has been badly dented by

the uncertainty over the base. Today's decision promises a much

brighter future. Hospitality sector will grow and the retail sector

will recover. Confidence will be gained and will hopefully let us

move on. Even the RAF seem relieved at the Army regiment taking their

place. The Royal engineers also have a special relationship and I

have no doubt that will continue. There is anger and sadness in

Cambridgeshire at the move. Their loss is Scotland's gain. What is

particularly significant is that this will be no revolving-door army

garrison. It will be the permanent home of their 39 Engineer Regiment.

It goes to trouble spots around the world like Afghanistan. Its

personnel as highly skilled with long service couriers. They will be

bringing their families with them and that is great news for schools

here and services and the wider economy.

Babies in Scotland are more likely to be abused or killed than older

children - according to the NSPCC. The charity says the greatest risk

is from parents with substance abuse or mental health problems.

Julie Peacock is here with the details.

This survey reveals some startling information. Babies in Scotland are

12 times more likely to be killed than older children. In the past

ten years, 27 babies have been killed. While these are the most

serious cases and are fortunately rare, the NSPCC says it illustrates

the wider problem of abuse and neglect which could affect

thousands of babies in Scotland. They were murdered by those who

were supposed to care. Alexis Matheson was just six weeks old

when she was killed by her mother's boyfriend in Aberdeen. This boy was

shaken to death by his father at his home in Edinburgh. This girl

died after months of abuse at the hands of her mother's boyfriend.

The NSPCC says that if you want to stop more cases like this, were

vulnerable families need more help. We know families with mental abuse

-- mental health and substance abuse problems are more at risk. We

would like to call on the government as well as professionals

to get behind this campaign to make sure all babies are safe. One of

the most shocking cases in recent years was that of Brandon you're.

Killed by his mother's partner. Social workers knew if his mother

was a drug addict with a chaotic lifestyle. The government says it

is investing in early care programme so these children do not

fall through the net. All the recommendations made are already

being taken for a by this government in some shape off-form.

The key to our agenda is driving forward preventative spend and

getting the right services at the right time for these vulnerable

children and their families. government is behind this pilot

project to provide new parents with a family nurse. It is hoped it can

teach parenting skills and improve life chances. The NSPCC says these

projects need to be rolled out across got on to give children a

better start than life. The charity is pointing out that the problem is

more widespread than we might think. One in five babies is living with a

parent at high risk of depression. That's almost 12,500 babies. And

one in 12 have fathers who drink hazardous levels of alcohol. That

means more than 4,500 babies are affected. While many of these

babies will be treated well, the risk of harm or neglect is much

higher and that's why the NSPCC is asking for more help for these

vulnerable families. You're watching Reporting Scotland

from the BBC. Still to come before seven. The right to buy back - East

Lothian council takes advantage of the housing market to snap up its

old properties. In sport - We're with the Scotland

squad in Cyprus where Craig Levein tells us he's ready to experiment.

So is the sport of curling - we It was her first appearance at

Holyrood as the new Conservative leader. And Ruth Davidson wasted no

time in urging Alex Salmond to get on with it and hold an early

referendum on independence. Mr Salmond insisted he would stick to

his own scheduled timetable. The exchanges followed backstage

controversy, as Ms Davidson sorted out her new frontbench team. This

from our political editor Brian Taylor.

Have a birthday, Ruth. 33 today and often confront the First Minister.

Feeling up to it? Absolutely. Tory applause, but they mostly

voted for her rivals. Alex Salmond drew on her favourite sport.

appreciation of kick-boxing seems to have become endemic among her

colleagues in recent days. turned her attack on the First

Minister over independence. He is Fiat to name their referendum and

name the day. -- feart. Wide is the First Minister not just get on with

it? He said he promised Scots the referendum would be deferred for.

The SNP Government shows faith in the people of Scotland. Ruth

Davidson on Sunday. Murdo Fraser, her main rival, declined

frontbencher offers. I would regard the economy of Scotland as they

important issue at the moment and it is a reliable be happy to take

on. Jackson Carlaw is the deputy leader and Margaret Mitchell will

handle local government. Instead of kick-boxing, Alex Salmond tiptoed

around his new rival. A former Strathclyde Police officer

jailed for 12 months for attempting to pervert the course of justice as

had a prison sentence overturned on appeal. She said she could not be

bothered arresting suspected robber in Kirkintilloch. She walked three

this morning after her sentence was reduced to three years' probation

and 240 hours of community service. The father of toddler Declan Heaney

said he wanted nothing to do with his son up or how his mother. He

was giving evidence at the trial of Camberley Heath a who denies

murdering her son. From the High Court in Glasgow.

Former nurse David Gibson was Declan's father. He gave evidence

about his relationship with Camberley Heaney. They met in a

psychiatric ward at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley where

both were patients in 2006. They went on to live together here in a

flat in Paisley. When she became pregnant, he said it was unplanned.

The court heard that the relationship ended when she was

around six months pregnant. He left her flat. He was asked what

financial help he offered and he replied nothing. He never met his

son but was asked on two occasions by social workers to attend a case

conference about Declan. Asked if The court also heard from Katharine

round, seen here on the left. She left directly below the family at

their flat in Paisley. She spoke of one night in June 2009 when the two

of them went drinking. They arrived home at about 3am. The prosecutor

asked, who was looking after Declan? Katharine said Kimberly had

told her that her mother was. The court had previously heard from her

mother. She said she never had Declan to stay overnight by himself.

She denies all of the charges against her. The trial continues.

Some of the other stories across Scotland this Thursday.

Edinburgh City Council has rejected claims that vital documents

relating to the capital's controversial tram project may have

been shredded. The allegation was made by Labour councillors after a

Freedom of Information request was turned down, on the grounds that

the documents asked for were no longer held. Council officials say

the request was handled incorrectly and have apologised for the

administrative error. 25 criminal charges have been filed

in relation to last year's New Zealand mining disaster that killed

twenty-nine people, including two Scots. Peter Roger and Malcolm

Campbell died following an explosion at the Pike River mine in

November last year. Their bodies have not been recovered and the

mine is now sealed off following several other blasts.

The National Trust for Scotland has appealed to members to give an

extra 15 each to avoid the nightmare scenario of historic

properties crumbling. -- �15. In a letter to members, chief executive

Kate Mavor says historic properties like Culzean Castle, one of a

hundred sites they look after, could fall into disrepair without

additional funds. The plan is to raise �110,000 through the

immediate appeal to members. A local authority is to try to buy

back a large number of former council houses which were sold to

their tenants. East Lothian council says it wants to take advantage of

the slow property market. It's thought more than a hundred homes

could return to local authority control in the next few months.

Here's our local government correspondent Jamie McIvor.

Is it back to the future for housing schemes like this one? East

Lothian council hopes to buy back more than 100 former council houses

to help tackle its massive waiting list. It is nearly 5000 long.

houses have a survey report and an evaluation and it seems to be the

right house at the right price, then they will make an offer.

right to buy council houses transformed Scottish society. It

created what some called a property-owning democracy. But in

recent years, many have struggled to sell their house quickly. It is

a buyer's market and some property experts are Mark -- welcoming East

Lothian's move. I think it is a good initiative as they are

recognising this is a great time to buy property. They have some

surplus funds because the construction has been suffering and

they have not been able to build as many as they would have liked. They

can use these funds now to dip into the property market when the prices

are low. It makes sense in my opinion. There is an irony here

because the taxpayer is paying twice. A lot of council houses were

sold to their tenants at massive discounts. Some tenants bought good

semi-detached homes for barely �10,000. Today, that house could be

bought back for something like �140,000. Most agree new homes are

the ideal way to make sure of more affordable housing, but the

government says East Lothian's one also has its place. It is up to

East Lothian to decide what they do. This will increase the amount of

economically available housing The Waverley Paddle Steamer is to

be kept afloat for another year, thanks to a donation from a

Euromillions lottery winner. The company that operates the steamer

had warned that last season could be the Waverley's last, unless

�350,000 could be raised to cover increased running costs. Chris and

Colin Weir from Ayrshire won �161 million in July. They stepped in to

make sure the final total was reached.

The poppy has become the symbol of remembrance for all those who have

died in war. It will be central to ceremonies across Scotland at 11am

tomorrow, marking the anniversary of Armistice Day. But the flower

has a special significance for one Glasgow family who have their own

memento from the trenches of France. Huw Williams takes up the story.

James Ferguson was working as an apprentice before the First World

War but he joined up in time to fight in 1914. Like many veterans,

he never talks about his wartime experience. But he has left his

daughter, Nanette, 89, and Grand daughter Henrietta, a souvenir

which speaks volumes. This little sheet of paper and attached to it

was the dried poppy. This French poppy was plucked from the

battlefields in France by me as a memento to remind me of the last

day I ever spent in the trenches. Another family say they intend to

donate this precious piece of memorabilia or, as a symbol of

remembrance, because it carries such remembrance James Ferguson

could never have guessed at. It is all the memories of the past. It

just means so much. We have all lost people, friends, relations.

That poppy just signifiers something, something that will live

forever almost in our Hearts. Now it's time for the sport.

Scotland manager Craig Levein says the long hard road to the World Cup

finals in Brazil 2014 starts here, or rather in Cyprus. The national

team are there for the first in a series of friendlies designed to

prepare them for a successful qualifying campaign. Our reporter

Alasdair Lamont is with them. Even back in the days when Scotland

actually qualified for tournaments, they had the ability to test the

country's nurse to the full. This late, late winner against Cyprus

helped us in 1990. It is fitting this very same ground is where

preparations are beginning as Craig Levein attempts to lead the country

in 2014 in Brazil. It is about looking to strengthen the players

for September next year. Slovenia. Austria. We play one game in August.

He may take the opportunity to blood some new players in these

Friendly's but experimentation will play second fiddle to maintaining

momentum. We just want to continue the way we finished the campaign. I

thought we finished the campaign very well. I know we lost to Spain

but if you look at the performance it was of the highest standards for

Scotland. We have progressed as a team throughout the campaign and

under the manager, everyone is pulling in the right direction.

that direction is Brazil, the spiritual home of the World Cup. If

this squad can qualified foray major tournament for the first time

in many years, it would surely represent the highlight of their

careers. Glasgow City are in Champions

League action tonight at home to Potsdam. Trailing 10-0 from the

first leg, the Scots are faring slightly better tonight. Although

they slipped two down early in the first half, with the visitors

doubling their lead with this fine finish.

Andy Murray's through to the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters

tennis, after straight sets win over Andy Roddick.

The world number three finished in spectacular style by serving an ace,

to clinch his place in the last eight of the tournament. Murray's

6-2, 6-2 victory over the American is his 27th win in his last 28

matches. He now faces Thomas Berdych for a place in the semi-

finals. Here's something of a sporting

curiosity, or perhaps "innovation" is a better word. And it's in the

world of curling. The Stirling Invitational Tournament starts

tomorrow at the town's Peak Sports Complex. 22 of the best rinks in

Europe are taking part. But there's something a wee bit different about

the competition. She is the country's top women's

Curload, the Scottish ladies' champion and a world silver

medallist. He is David Murdoch, the Scottish men's champion and he is a

twice world champion. For the first time this weekend, they could face

one another in a major tournament. Because, in this event, women's

teams will be competing in the same event as the men. At it is a new

concept and hopefully something that takes off. Are you looking

forward to it, filled with trepidation? It is always a scary

thought losing to the girls. When they come up against a ladies' team,

they don't want to lose. Anything could happen out there. We will

just scare them. I wonder what these are old fellows make of such

a new-fangled idea, men and women competing together? It is a very

good idea, I have got no problems with it. The women are as good as

the men. There are probably major differences in sweeping, and

playing weight. It will be interesting. The ladies are always

far gentler than men. But sometimes more accurate. May the best man or

woman when. By think we should shake hands.

-- I think. An exhibition giving a unique insight into the children of

a Scottish family as they were growing up more than 200 years ago

has opened in Aberdeenshire. The school text books, passed

between the siblings of the Erskine family of Fife, are filled with

words and drawings, often written when they were bored in class.

They're going on display as part of a children's exhibition at Duff

The doodles of well-to-do siblings. Here, the youngest of the family

describes what he is doing three days after Christmas, and he is in

the score. Normally these sorts of things get lost in time, thrown out,

have gone beyond their sell-by date. So it is very special we have these

books left, that we know we can identify the children who use them

and belong to them. These are the children in question in a family

portrait. The youngest, John, James and eldest William, at home on a

break from their studies. You can see how battered these books are.

That means they have been very well used. You can see on this one

something is written on the edge of every single page. This is the

second... They are writing a list of jobs, perhaps a task set by the

teacher. They vary from colonel to butcher. It looks like a spotlight

is about to fall on the youngest. There is a message from John to

James. John saying, what are you going to say? There he is hoping

Big Brother will bail him out. collection contains 35 books with

personalised messages each providing an insight into the mind

Now it's time for the weather. Now it's time for the weather.

Today, we saw an East West split. More sunshine in the week -- West.

More cloud overnight but it will stay mild. Some rain will linger

over the east coast to like but most places will be dry. Some clear

spells in the north west. Turning cold, down to six Celsius. As we

head into tomorrow, you can see from the pressure chart we have

this weather front fast approaching. Most places will stay dry. A

similar picture, the best of the sunshine towards the west, always

cloudy with rain towards the east. But the time we get to 3pm tomorrow

afternoon, we will see this weather front over the Galloway coast.

Temperatures, a little bit colder than today, but still above average

for this time of year. The best around the north west with that

sunshine, 15 Celsius. Colder with the cloud coming down over the

Northern Isles and east coast. Still high is well above average

for this time of year. In the second part of tomorrow, that band

of rain will push in over the country. A wet night tomorrow. Also

see winds picking up. If we can see the winds will push through quickly.

By the time we get to Saturday, it should have cleared. A dry day, a

good, sunny spells, so a mild, 13 Celsius.

Always breezy over the coast for The Now, just before 7onm a summary

of tonight's top stories. -- 7pm. A senior EU official has admitted for

the first time that Europe could be heading for a double dip recession.

The warning comes as the growth forecast for the eurozone has been

slashed. The former RAF base at Kinloss in

Moray is to become the home to nearly 1,000 soldiers and their

families currently based in Cambridge. The news has been

welcomed by the local community who'd been concerned about the

impact of the closure of the airbase earlier this year,

following cuts to the Ministry of Defence budget.

The head of News International, James Murdoch, has been called back

in front of MPs to answer new questions on the phone hacking