Letter from Parliament

Date published: 15 January 2008

Parliament resumed on Monday 7 January and what an eventful week it has been.  This week I voted to support reforms aimed at  giving more support to people who step in the tackle criminals.  I supported this because my own position is clear.  Law abiding citizens in my constituency should not be put off tackling criminals.

Of course in some cases it would not be sensible to tackle anyone and I know people will use their judgement to weigh up each situation but now the law will be seen as supporting them from the start.  These measures will give the public confidence if they are put in a position where they decide to act as good citizens and step in to stop crime.   This is good news for the majority of the people in my patch and demonstrates Labour’s commitment to ensuring that the law is on the side of the law abiding. 

The move is part of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill.  It will strengthen the law of self-defence and make clear that the state’s responsibility is to stand by those who act in good faith when using force in self defence.  In the case of a passer by witnessing a crime in the street for example or a householder faced with a burglar in his home, we are reassuring them that if they intervene and use force which is not excessive or disproportionate, the law is really behind them. 

The Home Secretary has also moved to introduce strict controls on firearms that have been de-activated (not able to fire ammunition) but criminals often alter them for re-use.  A move to control de-activated firearms could be introduced before the end of the year.  The Government must also turn its attention to knife crime as we are all aware.

As part of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill, I proposed an amendment to protect Freedom of Speech for religious leaders and others in the wider society from criminal charges over incitement to sexual hatred when discussing or preaching about gay issues as part of a doctrinal belief. 

There have been several high profile cases involving the police and individuals who have expressed deep felt religious feelings.  My amendment would have offered reassurances, unfortunately it lost the vote but with a respectable 169 MPs voting for it.  We shall see what happens in the Lords.  I had of course to vote against the government again.

The Prime Minister has already launched the National Year of Reading campaign and activities connected with the year of reading aim to encourage people to read in businesses, homes and communities around the country helping to improve access through schools and libraries.  Employers are being encouraged to join in the campaign by signing up online.

On Tuesday I led a delegation from the MG Association, (myasthenia gravis) to the Department of Health for a meeting with the Health Minister Ann Keen.  MGA is associated with the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  The meeting was about awareness raising and the minister made some very positive suggestions. 

I then met with Jim Murphy the Minister for Europe to discuss the European Reform treaty, a subject I shall return to at a later date. 

I enjoyed Question Time and thought the Prime Minister had a good day on Wednesday. 

I had both my Select Committee meetings which take up a lot of my time these days. 

One of the all Party Groups that I chair is the Involuntary Tranquiliser Group for people who have become addicted to drugs prescribed by their doctors. These drugs like benzos and zed drugs can be highly addictive in a very short time and have led to many ruined lives, affecting marriage, career and mental and physical health. 

The group has recently acquired some funding to employ a part time researcher who will work in my Westminster office a few days per week. 

We are just beginning to make an impact on the Department of Health and will shortly be giving evidence to the Science and Technology Committee chaired by Dr Brian Iddon MP for Bolton South who is a former Salford University lecturer and a good friend of mine.  We also hope to present a Parliamentary exhibition to raise awareness of the tranquiliser addiction problem with other MPs.

Friday 11 January I had to put my car in for service and have it returned in time for my three surgeries that afternoon. 

I had a phone call from Lambeth Palace this week requesting a meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishops of St Albans and Winchester and a few cross party Peers and MPs to discuss the Human Fertilisation and embryology Bill now in the Lords but due to come before the Commons soon.  The meeting will be on Tuesday 15th and will be a working lunch.

Sunday I am taking a trip on the East Lancs Railway to discuss the future plans for extending the line through Castleton and into Manchester Victoria.  These are purely exploratory discussions.

It will be back to Westminster on Sunday evening for another busy week.