Westminster Week
Posted by Kitty Ussher, MP for Burnley, at 11:01, Mon 30 July 2007:
Dear Friend,
Last week I had the interesting experience of debating the infamous George Galloway in the House of Commons. As readers will know he is the controversial ex-Labour MP who defected to the Respect party and beat a popular young MP, Oona King, for her Bethnal Green and Bow seat at the last general election. Following that he has been rather controversial, appearing on Big Brother, and having to answer allegations about the source of financial donations to a charity project he was involved with to help people in Iraq. A House of Commons investigation into his conduct regarding this charity has recently concluded that he needs to be suspended from parliament for a period of time. In the meantime, he raised a constituency issue around the collapse of an international money transfer company, First Solutions, that it fell to me to answer as the minister responsible.
I was actually pleased to do so, not least because this company has a branch in Burnley as well, so some of my constituents were also affected. The company went into voluntary liquidation a few weeks ago leaving many people unsure as to whether the cash that they had handed over to be sent abroad would ever be seen again. It is a very unfortunate situation and the government had already agreed, before this happened, that better regulations need to be introduced in this area. This will happen in the next few years. In the meantime the actions of the directors of this particular firm are the subject of an enquiry by the Companies Investigation Branch of the Insolvency Service who will, if necessary, involve the police if it looks like there is any suspicion of criminal activity. And I’m glad to say that a national charity, the William Beverdige Foundation has stepped in to try and help those affected. Contact my office if you’ve been affected and would like more details.
The convention is when ministers reply to debates on constituency issues raised by backbenchers that they should start by congratulating the backbencher on obtaining the debate. In this instance, after the customary congratulation I couldn’t resist adding at the end “while he is still able to do so” as of course George Galloway will be unable to raise constituency issues in parliament for the time that he is suspended.
Although the schools have broken up and people are off on their holidays parliament is continuing till the bitter end. At the time of writing we are on the last couple of days – the House finally rises on Thursday this week. This time is used to make any policy statements that have to be made to parliament and to sort out any remaining disagreements between the Commons and the Lords. There are still some rumblings on the pensions bill that is currently before parliament, but it seems that there are last minute negotiations taking place that mean we wont be up all night voting on the last day of term.
Next week I’m off for a few days, taking my daughter to visit her grandfather, but will be in the constituency this weekend. We’re going out to do our Friday roving surgery in Cliviger this month and hoping for a good turnout. Then on Saturday its our usual monthly slot on Colne Road. Also on Saturday I will be welcoming the Lord Mayor of London to Turf Moor to watch the friendly game against Leeds. He’s originally from Burnley and was keen to use his mayoral year to come back home and give something back. For me it’s a nice opportunity to combine my constituency and ministerial roles because of course one of the key roles the Lord Mayor plays is to represent the interests of the City during his year of mayor, and it is the financial services sector that I look after as a Treasury minister. So lets give him a big Burnley welcome when he is in town over the weekend The council has helped arrange a programme of visits so don’t be too surprised if you come across him when you’re out and about in the next few days!
6 ways to contact Kitty Ussher MP
Write to: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA or 2 Victoria Street, Burnley BB11 1DD Phone: 01282 450840 Fax: 01282 839623 By email: ussherk@parliament.uk On-line: www.kittyussher.com In person: Surgeries will start again in early September, see the Burnley Express for details.
Commenting on this message is now disabled.