Weekly e-mail
Posted by Edward Vaizey, MP for Wantage, at 11:36, Sun 12 July 2009:
Parliament
The main piece of business last week was the Finance Bill, where we debated various amendments. There was a big vote on the 10p tax rate, where Labour rebels, led by Frank Field, attempted to pass an amendment to give more money to those on low incomes penalised by the abolitionof the rate. They failed, and the Government won by a relatively comfortable majority.
I held a debate on Lehman-backed structured products. These were supposedly 100 per cent secure savings products that were taken out by thousands of investors. When Lehman went bust last year, these investors lost all their money. I have ended up as de facto leader of a group of about 50 MPs who are fighting for the FSA to force financial advisers who recommended these products to repay the money. You can read the debate http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090707/halltext/90707h0009.htm#09070755000554 and some of the press coverage HERE http://www.moneymarketing.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=189687&d=340&h=341&f=342
Constituency
I held a meeting in Marcham on Monday to discuss the Anson Trust's plans for development, along with the local county councillor Iain Brown. The Anson Trust is a long-established trust in the village, but its plans for housing development are controversial. I hope to hold a meeting soon for everyone including the Anson Trust to have their say.
On Thursday, I opened Asda's new distribution centre in Didcot. 450,000 square feet of hi-tech warehousing. Supermarkets are very controversial, of course, not least because of their effect on local business. This Asda centre is very modern - it has Europe's first ever solar wall, and is 25% more energy efficient than a normal warehouse. Asda has also reduced its packaging by 25%, and the new centre will secure 400 jobs and create 400 more in the next few years.
I had an up-date on Post Office issues from the local Post Office regional manager - nothing to report locally, but they are frustrated that their future has been left in limbo after the Government has shelved its plans.
I ended the day at the High Sheriff's annual party. The High Sheriff does the job for a year - unpaid - and I think plays an important role in our community.
On Friday I discussed the Wantage Silver Band's fund-raising plans for their new centre, and met the chairman of the trustees of Betjeman Millennium Park in Wantage to discuss their plans to raise an endowment.
I went back to Didcot to open P2i's new headquarters. A spin-off from the MoD, they make a water resistant film which is extraordinary. You may have seen it on TV - throw some wine at a white suit and it just slips off. Remember the Ealing comedy? Well, it's now a reality and in Didcot.
I held a surgery in Faringdon. Some of you have asked what cases I deal with there. This week was a man fighting a tree preservation order; concern over an office development; someone who wants a disabled parking place; concern over the closure of the Silver Star maternity unit at the JR; a case of domestic violence; a CSA case; and a housing benefits case.
Finally I opened the Faringdon Arts Festival, now in its sixth year. I remeber talking to David Reynolds when it was just an idea, now it is very much part of the Faringdon scene.
I took the week end off.
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