Letter from Parliament

Date published: 05 December 2007

While Westminster has continued to be gripped by events surrounding the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Labour Party including party political funding and the loss of 25 million sets of personal data I have been very involved raising issues affecting Rochdale. I've been in correspondence with the Minister of State, Rosie Winterton at the Department of Transport about the funding for Rochdale's new bus station. An announcement was expected before Christmas however it has been delayed because the DfT wanted more information. The Minister assured me that providing all relevant information was given a positive announcement would be made towards the end of January. The new bus station is vital to the regeneration of Rochdale Town Centre so I was pleased to receive a positive reassurances.

I've also asked a number of questions about Ding Quarry and met a number of constituents including Eric Ollerenshaw ten days ago to film a piece for the BBC Politics Show which was shown last week. From the answers I've received it is clear that the Council's assessment of the Environmental Impact report will be critical in determining whether the quarry gets approval. I know that the Ding Quarry Action group led by Dave Thomas are working hard to ensure that all relevant factors are taken account of.

On Monday I led for the Liberal Democrats on the Child Maintenance and other Payments Bill. This is the Bill that will abolish the CSA and introduce (in my view) a much fairer way of deciding on child maintenance issues including trying to recoup any money paid in benefits by the state. I have a number of constituents who continue to experience problems with the CSA. Another part of the bill introduces swift payment for victims of mesothelioma including for the first time wives who may have contracted it via their husband’s overalls. Last year I was part of a group of MPs of all parties who lobbied for a reversal of the House of Lords decision on compensation. The then Work and Pensions Minister John Hutton MP was as good as his word in introducing a section of this bill to rectify this situation. I am delighted by this decision which will benefit many families in Rochdale.

Last Friday I was delighted to be asked to cut the ribbon opening the new spine road on the Kingsway Industrial Estate. We did a community opening the next day with the Mayor Councillor Peter Evans where the excellent Falinge High School Band played for us. I am delighted that at last Kingsway is open - it will bring many jobs to Rochdale as well as relieving congestion in Milnrow and other areas. It is a credit to John Goss, John Hudson and others at the Rochdale Development Agency who have made it a reality. I was able to meet some of the people who are investing in new plants on Kingsway. When I was young my father worked as a spinner at Kelsall and Kemps just across the way so it was poignant to see new jobs being created alongside the site of some of older factories.

Last Friday was Rochdale "Man of the Year’ Luncheon which raises money for Springhill Hospice. As a member of the Committee I knew who the winner was but was sworn to secrecy. It was my job to invite Father Arthur Nearey to the lunch without him being aware that he had won. When I saw him heading towards the door just before the announcement my heart sunk! However it was not an urgent call to the hospital - he was just putting another parking ticket on his car!  He is a very worthy winner. His work at the hospital and for the Friends of Our Hospital has been invaluable.

On Saturday I attended St Patrick’s Christmas Fayre - always very well organised with Father Joe and others in period costume.

Also last week I was delighted to support two young men who are setting up Britain’s first totally eco friendly freight group. Both Jerry Mantalvanos and Paul Merker from JPM Eco-Logistics were featured on Dragon’s Den this week. It is good to see Rochdale once again leading where others will follow.

This week I was delighted to invite Bernard and Pauline Thompson to the House of Commons for lunch and also to meet up with Dave Geldard who does an awful lot of work for charity. Bernard designs the plaques on the Council Chamber for each Mayor and he also did one for my mum Kath when she was Mayoress.