News from Anne Snelgrove MP
Posted by Anne Snelgrove, MP for South Swindon, at 17:48, Tue 16 May 2006:
Education and Inspections Bill
This was the most important piece of legislation in the past month – and since the election in my opinion. Some aspects of the White Paper have caused concern to constituents, particularly Trust Schools, individual schools’ admissions policies and the role of LEAs. I reflected this to the Secretary of State Ruth Kelly and other education ministers at private meetings and also raised them during debates and at Education Questions in the House. I was therefore very pleased to see the Admissions Code strengthened with LEAs having a clear role in monitoring it locally; LEA strategic role and powers defined for the first time, including the power to intervene earlier in failing church schools; no selection by interview and a bar on selective schools’ expansion.
I sat through the whole second reading and tried in vain to speak – none of the newly elected Labour MPs were called to speak, which annoyed us all. My only recorded remarks in the debate in Hansard are ‘Will the Rt Hon Gentleman give way?’, hardly a stunning contribution to such an important subject, but at least it shows I tried! Opposition MPs refused to give way to me at least six times. I was more fortunate in Education Questions the next day when I was able to question Jacqui Smith more closely on Trust schools and the implications for Swindon. I have appointed to the Standing Committee and will be scrutinising the Bill until 11th May. I have also invited Jacqui to Swindon to meet teachers, governors and party members to discuss the bill and other education issues.
On Monday 13th March I spent a couple of hours at Churchfield School talking to the Head and pupils, with a BBC camera crew in tow. Some of you may have seen the piece on the 10 o’clock news on Tuesday 14th March. During the filming I spoke to a year 10 pupil called Oliver, who told me he wanted to go to Swindon college and because, in his words, he came from ‘a family of education underachievers’ and his mum and dad wanted him to be the first to go to university. I doubt if this would have happened ten years ago – we have made a great difference to many children’s lives, but we must continue to do more.
Animal Welfare Bill
The third reading went through in March, the first bill to be passed on animal welfare since 1911. It gives tough new powers to the RSPCA and the police to intervene and enter private premises if they have reasonable belief that animals are suffering, and also paves the way for tougher regulations on circuses and pet fairs. DEfRA is drawing up codes of practice for keeping pets (although the cat code was far too long!) so that there are minimum standards. Unfortunately we lost the free vote on a complete ban on tail docking by just 11 votes. The House voted for an exemption for working dogs, and I hope this will be very tightly drawn so that it puts an end to docking for show dogs. Personally I believe that any exemptions other than prophylactic docking (for therapeutic purposes) will give a loophole that breeders will exploit. You can read my speech on tail docking in Hansard (let me know if you want a paper copy).
I spent a couple of hours with Stephanie, the local RSPCA inspector, on Friday 17th March. It was a very interesting experience and it was reported in the Adver (alongside pictures of me with a very nice rabbit).
Incapacity Benefit Reform
In advance of the Bill, I held a meeting about IB with recipients and Benefits Agency staff who work in this area. It was very interesting and quite a humbling experience. I was impressed with those on benefits, all of whom were determined to overcome their disabilities and wanted to work. They felt frustrated by the current system and employers’ attitudes to people with disabilities (especially those who have mental health problems) but shared their concerns about aspects of the Green Paper. This has given me a very good basis for discussions with Margaret Hodge next week on the forthcoming Bill.
Constituency Work
My Swindon office had a very good meeting this month with the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) about our outstanding cases, resulting in a number being cleared up. Some of these started several years ago under the previous MP, Julia Drown, so we are very pleased to have got such a positive result.
I will be spending the Easter Recess (31st March – 17th April out and about in Swindon, so may see some of you over the next two weeks.
Do you want to ask any questions?
Please write to me at 7 Little London Court, Swindon SN1 3HY or email me on annesnelgrovemp@parliament.uk
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