Update from Linda Gilroy MP: Week ending 15 January 2010
Posted by Linda Gilroy, MP for Plymouth, Sutton, at 10:59, Fri 15 January 2010:
My Week At A Glance
At the Boat Show
Last Sunday I called in at the London Boat Show in order to visit the Princess Yachts stand. They employ some 2000 people in Plymouth and are a brand name that help put us on the map. Last year I lobbied the MOD hard to ensure that redundant land in Devonport's South Yard could be made available to allow the company to retain and expand their operations in the City. To see a Plymouth based company with one of the prime slots in an event of this size was hugely exciting. I met with senior company representatives and we discussed how they were faring in the current economic climate and their relationship with the local community. The level of craftsmanship is extraordinary and the fact we can produce these beautiful vessels is a credit to the Plymouth workforce and something the whole City should be very proud of indeed. We need to start celebrating and promoting these kind of things much more loudly!
Defence Committee
On Tuesday Lord Drayson appeared before the Defence Committee. He's the Minister responsible for preparing the ground for the next Strategic Defence Review. He was joined by Bernard Gray, who produced a no-holds-barred report into defence procurement. We were keen to find out why major projects go over budget and over time. Mostly this is not rocket science – despite the sophistication and complexity of the equipment which is being bought. The essence of it seems to be better control of the scoping of projects and making sure that there is only one gateway to a decision to procure equipment, which pays much more attention to the available budget! Of course there is a bit more to it than this as our Report will no doubt draw out in due course.
Dystonia Meeting
Following on from my meeting with Plymouth Dystonia Support Group last Saturday in Efford, this Tuesday I attended Health questions, where I asked the Minister if he would meet with myself and a delegation from the local and national Dystonia Society, to which he agreed. This is excellent news. I know they are keen to raise awareness of this terrible illness at the highest level and in particular to explore the support available for people with dystonia and to discuss progress with the research to improve treatment as well
University Funding
This was very much in the news and I attended a meeting of the Parliamentary Universities’ Group where Minister David Lammy spoke. Funding of all sorts is going to be challenging. Finding ways of making sure that universities, which are the engine houses of our economies, can maintain the sort of levels of activity and quality we have come to expect of them is and will remain one of my priorities. It was good to meet Professor Les Ebdon a former deputy vice-chancellor of Plymouth University, now VC of Bedfordshire University, and to hear his thoughts about these important matters. Getting the Review of student contributions right will be an important aspect of this. I am currently reading about how this is going and looking at various things the Library have provided me with. I am really pleased that the number of young people from Plymouth Sutton Constituency who enter university has increased from 260 in 1997 to 435 in 2007-8.
A Very Busy Wednesday
On Wednesday I chaired a meeting of the All Party Water Group. We were joined by Lord Chris Smith, Chair of the Environment Agency, who gave his thoughts on the Flood and Water Management Bill which is currently before Parliament. I also met with the Afghan ambassador, and attended a reception designed to raise awareness of the danger of sun beds to teenage girls.
Proportional Representation - What Do You Think?
The Government is committed to holding a referendum on introducing a form of proportional representation - the alternative vote (AV) - to Westminster elections. There are currently moved a foot to enshrine the date of the referendum in law to ensure that it happens this year. AV mean voters could rank candidates in order of preference, and in order to win a candidate would have to achieve 50% of the vote. If no candidate reached this figure, the one with the least amount of votes would be eliminated and their second preferences redistributed. This process would continue until one candidate emerges with 50%. There are several immediate advantages to this – it retains individual constituency as the sole basis of representation whilst allowing voters to express more than one preference, meaning every vote counts I’m broadly supportive but still listening - you can post your thoughts on my website at http://www.lindagilroy.org.uk/proportional-representation
Visit to HMS Raleigh
Today I'm popping across the Tamar to visit HMS Raleigh, the Royal Navy's premier training establishment, as part of my attachment to the Royal Navy with the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, which is designed to give MPs a better understanding of life in the military. I'm looking forward to meeting the staff and recruits and discussing some of the issues surrounding recruitment and retention.
Help for Haiti
I often receive emails and letter from constituents about international development, so I know that many people will share my concern about the deadly earthquake in Haiti. Yesterday the Government announced Britain will contribute an immediate $10 million USD (over £6 million) donation to assist with the relief efforts – including a significant donation to the International Federation of the Red Cross. Many UK charities like Save the Children, Oxfam and World Vision already have staff and resources in Haiti. You can do your bit to support them in their life-saving work by contributing to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) - Just visit www.dec.org.uk or call 0370 60 60 900.
Looking Ahead
I will shortly be reviewing my Plymouth Matters action plan, first published this time last year, in which I laid out my vision for Plymouth and where I hoped to add value in supporting the City's growth and development. You can read the plan at www.lindagilroy.org.uk/plymouthmatters It’s now time to review what's been achieved so far and what still needs to be done. Watch this space for an update! I have heard from hundreds of constituents over the last year about their thoughts on the plan – mostly supportive – but with some extra ideas as well. This is reported online too. But it is still not too late to let me know what you think! Where does Plymouth need investment? What should be focussing on now and in the future? My contact details can be found at www.lindagilroy.org.uk/contact
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