Update from Linda Gilroy for week ending Friday 18 July 2009
Posted by Linda Gilroy, MP for Plymouth, Sutton, at 08:05, Mon 20 July 2009:
Thought for the Week
I was very pleased to hear that Plymouth will be one of the pathfinders to improve services for children and young people with speech, language and communications needs - I know this is an area which parents have contacted me about in the past. You can find out more information at www.dcsf.gov.uk/slcnaction
My Week At A Glance
Engineering the Future
This week I sponsored an exhibition by the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Engineering and Technology in the House of Commons. I was keen to meet the young engineers, researchers and scientists who attended the launch and to hear the role that science and innovation will play in putting the UK on the front foot for the economic recovery.
Marine Bill
I have been continuing my work on the Marine & Coastal Access Bill Committee which has now fully considered the Bill in its committee stage. The Bill will now be reprinted with our amendments before the Committee presents its report to the House. I hope to see the Marine Bill continue its progress and hope to see it become law when it returns to the House in the autumn. It started its life in the House of Lords and so it should be possible for it to become an Act in October/November. You can read more about my ongoing work on the marine environment at www.lindagilroy.org.uk/marine
Building Schools for the Future
I was disappointed to hear that Plymouth had not been selected as one of the six local authorities to start the Building Schools for the Future Programme this month. I am confident that Plymouth will be in the next round of funding in 3 months time and have invited the minister to Plymouth to discuss the plans to stress how important the money provided by this programme is to our children's chances for a good education and the city’s education sector.
Defence
This week I have continued my work on the Defence Select Committee which yesterday published its report on helicopter capability. I hope the government will take our report seriously. We are asking for more helicopters to be procured sooner (The helicopter budget for the next ten years is £6billion). We also think that the emerging gap in helicopter capability should not be plugged by life extension programmes to ageing Sea King and Puma helicopters. This would not be value for money or offer the sort of reliability and versatility which procuring new equipment (if necessary off the shelf) would do. We also had the chance to question the Prime Minister on the issue and press him on the importance of the need to ensure our troops have the appropriate equipment for their mission. The government have welcomed our report and will have to comment on it formally and in detail within eight weeks. Helicopters are not of course the answer to everything. Many key activities can only be conducted on the ground. That is why £1billion is being spent on new and improved vehicles including the Jackal being built in Devonport.
Water
Yesterday I led a delegation of South west MPs to discuss the interim findings of the Walker Review of Water Metering and Charging with Huw Irranca-Davies MP the Government Minster for Water . Following this meeting, today I am hosting and chairing a Walker Review workshop in Plymouth attended by both Anna Walker – who has chaired the Independent Review on Water Metering and Charging - and Chris Loughlin – the Chief Executive of South West Water – as well as other key players in the region and the industry. I will use this meeting to continue my campaign for fairer water bills for the region – you can find more information on my campaign at www.lindagilroy.org.uk/water where my latest newsletter will be posted soon.
Looking ahead
This weekend I will be showing my support for the teams at Cancer Research UK’s Relay for Life held at Brickfields by cheering on the last lap completed by cancer survivors. Good luck to all involved!
The House rises for recess on Tuesday – whilst I no longer have to be in Westminster this doesn’t mean work stops! I will be continuing my work in Plymouth - starting next week with meetings with representatives from youth centres and Plymouth Primary Care Trust. I will also be holding a Water Meeting on 25 July at the Welcome Hall in Devonport from 10.30am -12 – if you would like to join me please call my office on 226626 to let me know.
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