Letter from Parliament

Date published: 24 October 2007

In addition to their duties in the chamber most MP's are members of a Select Committee. These are specialised committees that cover particular subject areas like health or foreign affairs or particular parts of government. I am a member of the Public Administration Select Committee which looks at the machinery of government.

Two important reports we've recently looked into have been the mis-selling of private pensions and the government's refusal to accept their responsibility on tax credits.

Last year we started an inquiry into honours, particularly nominations to the House of Lords. Following the 2005 General Election, the Lords Appointment Commission; the body that vets nominations from the Prime Minister and other party leaders rejected four of Tony Blair's nominations because loans had been given to the Labour Party which had not been declared. However the police were asked to investigate and undertook a sixteen month inquiry that did not result in any prosecutions.  Tony Blair was interviewed twice, his chief fundraiser Lord Levy was arrested and there was a dawn raid on Ruth Turner, who worked in Tony Blair's office in Downing Street.

Our interview with senior police officer Assistant Commander Yates this week was therefore very high profile and attracted much media attention. From Commander Yates answers it is clear that he was obstructed by Downing Street; that important evidence was ruled inadmissible and the law as it stands is not working. Our committee will be reporting on this shortly with recommendations for strengthening the law.

The collapse of Streetcred last week was a blow to those small savers who made good use of its services. My office worked closely with the Council,  the Financial Services Authority and Job Centre Plus to ensure that people who had benefits paid via StreetCred or who needed access to savings were able to access their money. I will taking up with Ministers the support and advice given to Credit Unions. Following on from Farepak we cannot have a situation where people cannot save with confidence.

Last week, I met Pensions Minister Mike O'Brien to discuss the forthcoming Pensions Bill. I also raised with him the Turner and Newall Pension Scheme where residents in Rochdale have raised concerns about whether it should go into administration. He has promised to look into the concerns that I raised.

Last Monday I attended the 60th Anniversary Lunch of the Rochdale and District Committee for the Welfare of the Elderly.  This was very ably organised by Mrs Yvonne Noble. It was a very pleasant occasion enjoyed by everybody.

Back in London, we completed the remaining stages of the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill. I spoke particularly on the sections regarding payments for victims of mesothelioma where I was pleased to see the government has listened to the  concerns we raised.

The news that D P Williams Holdings Ltd is planning to restart quarrying at Ding is unwelcome. Twelve years ago I was part of a massive public protest that persuaded the company to think again. Last Friday with Councillors Todd and Couzens and Norman Smith I went up to Rooley Moor to see for myself the damage that could be done.  I'm backing local residents including Andrew Crossley and Christine Arrowsmith to the hilt on this. I have had numerous calls on this issue in the office and already posters against the plans are starting to go up close to the quarry.  To receive a poster please call my office on 01706 712186.

On Saturday I attended the Sudden Community Centre Open Day excellently organised by the committee led by Khizar Shah. On Monday I was at our Town Hall for 'Future First', the annual careers and higher education day for young people in year 11. Over a thousand young people were due to attend and I chatted to youngsters from Balderstone Technology College amongst others.

This weekend I'm due to attend the Awards Ceremony for Hopwood Hall students as well as the Ecumenical service at Salford Cathedral to mark 40 years of the Abortion Act.

Next week, the parliamentary session finishes and the State Opening is the week after. 

It's been a busy few weeks - plenty of issues to tackle.  I wouldn't have it any other way though.