E-mail from David Lidington MP
Posted by David Lidington, MP for Aylesbury, at 11:40, Wed 28 March 2007:
I am writing to update you on my recent work as your MP.
The last few weeks have been especially busy, not least because of the agreement reached between the DUP and Sinn Fein to go into government in Northern Ireland in May.
In my role as Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, I spoke for the Conservatives on Tuesday’s emergency legislation, which extended the deadline for devolution until May in response to the agreement between the parties. We cooperated fully with the Government’s desire to rush the Bill through Parliament and I hope that, over coming weeks, we will see concrete evidence of Republican support for policing and criminal justice, to justify this week’s optimism.
In Westminster last week, I led a debate in Parliament on calling for joined-up thinking between Government to ensure Aylesbury’s infrastructure and services can cope with Ministers’ plans for thousands of new homes in the area.
An independent study has estimated that it will cost £768 million in infrastructure and service spending if Aylesbury is to cope with the Government’s policy and I was disappointed that the Minister continued to refuse to explain where that money will come from, instead calling for a higher level of housing than the South East Plan – drawn up by the Government’s own, unaccountable regional assembly – proposes.
If the Government continues to insist on new homes without paying to support them, I am afraid that people in Bucks will face the stark choice between far higher council tax or clogged roads, overcrowded railways and overloaded health services.
You may read the debate in full at: http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070320/halltext/70320h0011.htm#07032048000004.
Four months ago, I presented to Parliament a petition signed by 2,000 Aylesbury residents asking Patricia Hewitt, the Health Secretary, to give assurances that the local NHS will be able to cope with a growing population. I was disappointed this month to hear that she has decided not to respond. Serious questions remain about how the NHS can support thousands of new residents when Trusts are currently cutting services rather than planning for an expansion of capacity.
I recently met staff and pupils during my visits to Thomas Hickman School and Grange School, and was particularly pleased to see that both schools are improving rapidly. Also in Aylesbury, I visited the prostate cancer stall in Friars Square last week. The temporary stall aimed to raise awareness of the prevalence of prostate cancer and to highlight the existence of support groups in Aylesbury and Haddenham. There is also a national support charity at www.prostate-cancer.org.uk.
Please feel free to use the HearFromYourMP website to post your comments on this e-mail, and to fill out my short polls at www.telldavid.com.
David Lidington
Commenting on this message is now disabled.