Stephen's Week

Hello all

A little earlier than normal this week as I'm off on a Parliamentary visit to Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing, leaving Heathrow Friday evening. So the next week's Letter will be one from China!

Regards

Stephen

MONDAY 4th JUNE 2007

Back to London for the summer session. Education Select Committee in the afternoon was another set of witnesses for our look at Post 1 skills. The Chief execs of the North West Regional Development Agency and the NW Learning and Skills Council gave a regional perspective and the committee will probably make a visit to the North West of England later in the year. I do have great misgivings about the accountability of such regional bodies, I don't have any affinity for the various South West institutions. We also had Prof Frank Coffield from the Institute of Education who was critical of the permanent revolution endured by the education world at the hands of government.

In the evening I crossed over to Great George Street for the launch party for William Hague's biography of Wilberforce. I read his biography of Pitt a couple of years ago. I parted with £25 to buy his new tome and he signed it for me. Hague then gave a superb speech full of wit, humour and historical anecdote. I felt a little out of place in the room, as I was the only Lib Dem present. It was full of Tory luminaries including Major and Cameron. But I reintroduced myself to David Owen, who I last talked to 20 years ago, when we were in the same party. I may take Wilberforce with me for my flight to China reading at the end of the week, though it's a bit heavy! Back in the office I ploughed through an accumulation of letters and also invites for the rest of the session.

Tuesday 5th June

Morning debate in Westminster Hall (the Commons' second chamber, used for topical debates) was on balanced and sustainable communities. This was to address the growing problem around the country of family homes being converted into homes in multiple occupancy. The character of communities can change if there are too many HMO conversions. I gave the example of High Kingsdown. I could have just as easily cited the streets off Chandos Road. You can read the full debate (1.5 hours worth) here

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070605/halltext/70605h0004.htm#07060543000003 and see the points I made about Bristol and why there needs to be a change in the Housing Act on the definition of HMOs and also in Planning Classifications.

Afterwards I met up with the Brunel College retired employees club who had been on a tour of Parliament.

In the afternoon I did a "quick fire" interview with Original Bristol Radio, who are doing profiles of Bristol "movers and shakers" where I had to reveal my first record purchase (Mississippi by Pussycat) , favourite view in Bristol (from the top of the Cabot Tower), amongst other things. Then off to meet the Wildlife Trust who are pressing us for a Marine Bill, to protect the sea life around Britain's coast.

There was a 10 minute Private Member's Bill today, to restrict abortion.

I voted against it. I believe Parliament should have a review of abortion laws, but it should be based on a full scientific report, not a dogmatic speech.

Wednesday 6th June

Our Education Select Cttee session this morning was a briefing on China and higher education, ahead of our visit commencing on Friday. We also had tips on etiquette, so we don't drop any diplomatic clangers. I have a bumper pack of business cards with my details in English and Mandarin.

Business cards are big in China and must be given and received with reverence. If I have any left over on my return I shall be handing them out next time I'm in Dynasty, Cheung Kong or any other local restaurants!

PMQs was a desultory affair, with all the Leaders going through the motions. I will be away for next week's but by the end of June they should liven up as Blair takes his final bow.

In the evening I went to the Summer reception of the Family Planning Association in the House of Lords. I should say that those who press us to restrict abortion would get a more sympathetic hearing if they adopted some of the FPA's agenda on contraception and sex education.

Thursday 7th June

The Government was launching its new NHS waiting times report today. I went along to a briefing by the Minister of State Andy Burnham, where we were given regional packs of statistics. The aim is now for no one to wait longer than 18 weeks on a "patient journey" from GP referral to the commencement of treatment. This is now the government's preferred target and I think it makes sense. They intend to provide regular reports about how local PCTs (the primary care trusts that commission treatments) and the Acute trusts (i.e. the hospitals that provide the treatments, UBHT and

North Bristol are of most interest here) are performing. As they are only just starting this process there is a lot of missing data but if they can get it to work then this will be a useful tool for accountability. But the record of getting NHS data projects right is not a good one...

I got a train back to Bristol in the afternoon. While on the train I was phoned by the Evening Post and asked what I thought about the Bristol contestant being thrown off the Big Brother programme for racist language.

I confessed that I thought Big Brother was mindless trash and hadn't seen any of this year's shows. It's good Channel Four have acted quickly, but

I wonder why we have to put up with D list wannabe celebs behaving outrageously to get attention.

Once home I set off for Clevedon. The Severn Estuary partnership had a conference today on issues to do with the estuary. It brings together organisations from the English and Welsh sides. Last year I was the English political speaker at their final event and party, on board the paddle ship Waverley in the middle of the river, along with a Labour Welsh Assembly Member from Newport.

This year the event was on Clevedon Pier. I was the only politician as the Assembly Members are rather busy deciding who governs Wales! I unveiled a plaque on the pier, with a representative of the Welsh Environment Agency. The big issue is whether the UK government will go ahead with a study into a Severn Barrage or some other way of getting clean energy from the tides.

Friday 8th June

Time to pack rather more clothes than normal and head back to London. The climate is hot and sticky this time of year in China, so I need some light clothing. Odd to think that I'll be sleeping on a plane tonight.