Last week, week commencing Monday 18 March, started with a constituency meeting with the ladies from Unique Abilities for People with Disabilities. They operate a sensory session/support group every third Saturday of the month in Neville Parade Community Centre for anyone who’d like to find out more. Then it was off to London in time for the Lords Amendments to the Safety of Rwanda Bill. This concluded with ten votes as the House of Commons sent the amendments back to the House of Lords having disagreed with them. The voting time is substantial as each vote takes eight to ten minutes, with a short gap between each, meaning ten votes can take close to two hours. On Monday evening, whilst the votes were taking place, I was simultaneously at an Armed Forces dinner listening to Major General Felix Gedney, OBE who enlightened us on many of his experiences. Trying to be at a dinner and vote led to a very disjointed evening and I felt for the Major who had numerous MPs constantly going up and down to the voting lobbies.
Tuesday was Treasury Oral questions in the Chamber meaning I was on the second bench supporting the team. Following this, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Nigel Huddleston MP, held a meeting to discuss progression of the Finance Bill and later it was the Transport Select Committee private meeting before meeting Lee Rowley MP, the Minster for Housing in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to raise concerns about housing tenancies in Ferryhill.
Wednesday started at an All-Party Parliamentary Group meeting on Eggs, Pigs and Poultry before a phone catch up with Durham County Council leadership. Then it was a Teams meeting with Byers Gill about the planned Solar Farm between Brafferton and Bishopton where I reinforced the need for better communication with residents, before heading to the main transport Select Committee session. Lunchtime was the usual Prime Minister’s Questions then an Urgent Question in the Chamber about the HM Revenue and Customs helpline before the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill which was all about repealing the sentences of the Post Masters who were victims of such an appalling miscarriage of justice. There were meetings about Pharmacies and then National Highways before heading over to the 1922 Committee. As this was the last 1922 Committee meeting before a recess, as usual the Prime Minister addressed us. The support in the room for the Prime Minister was strong as he reminded us about the many good things that have been delivered by the Government since 2010.
Thursday was a one-line whip meaning I could have headed home Wednesday night, but it was Transport Oral Questions on Thursday morning and I wanted to raise some issues, so I stayed. I managed to get the Bus Minister, Guy Opperman, MP to support my campaign to replace the X21 that used to connect Sedgefield, Fishburn and the Trimdons to Newton Aycliffe. I was also very pleased to get the final question in Topical Questions to encourage the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Mark Harper MP, to do all he can to support the rail rolling stock orders for companies like Hitachi. I know that he and the team at the Department of Transport are doing all they can and the misleading and non-deliverable commentary from opposition politicians is neither helpful nor productive. I have engaged consistently with the Transport team, Hitachi management and Hitachi Union representatives, and I will continue to work with anyone and everyone to support Hitachi and any other business in Sedgefield. Then it was a train north ready for Friday which started with a surgery where we used the services of the Deaf Empowering Network to provide British Sign Language assistance for a constituent in our meeting with her. We will always try to facilitate extra support for anyone who needs it when we meet. I had the pleasure of going to St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Newton Aycliffe to take questions from their Year 5 and 6 pupils and later had meetings with other businesses.
On Saturday, I finished my week by calling in at Neville Parade to see Unique Abilities and also met Tony and Neil from Ferryhill who operate an inclusive football group for those of all abilities, including disabilities, before then going to the Newton Aycliffe Youth and Community Centre to visit the Rotary annual model railway exhibition.
Week commencing 25 March is a short week in Westminster as the House rises for Easter recess on Tuesday evening after which I will be back in the constituency. As always if you would like to catch up with me it's [email protected] or call Aycliffe 790580.
Wishing everyone a Happy Easter and I look forward to catching up with some of you when I’m out and about.
