Letter from Parliament

Jim Dobbin MP

Often we can feel powerless when trying to deal with anti social behaviour.  As your MP I will always do what I can to help people feel safe in their homes and communities.  So I was really pleased that the Home Secretary this week outlined tougher police powers and called for parents and the drinks industry to play their part in preventing young people drinking in public.  A new drive to confiscate alcohol from underage drinkers begins this month. 

At the same time we will continue to punish those few irresponsible retailers who continue to flout the law by persistently selling drink to children.  In order to do this we need the support of the industry, the communities and the enforcement agencies.  Parents must play their part too.  There is already a great deal of work going on to tackle the damage that alcohol misuse can do to individuals and their communities but the Home Secretary has given a lead.

A major review was published this week by former Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan that would free up the equivalent of 3,500 additional police officers.  The Home Secretary has accepted recommendations to cut bureaucracy, introduce new technology and enable police officers to spend more time on front line policing.  As neighbourhood policing continues to develop there will soon be a team working every neighbourhood. 

During the dark days of the Second World War, thousands of women worked hard to provide food and timber for the nation.  I was delighted to hear the announcement from Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that their efforts will be honoured by awarding a badge of recognition.  These women were members of the Women’s Land Army and the Women’s Timber Corps.  They worked tirelessly from dawn to dusk without the benefits of modern technology.  The country owed them a great debt.  Do you know anyone who was in the Land Army?  You can nominate someone you know for a badge or apply for one yourself.  If you need to know more, please get in touch with my office on 01706 361135 for more details.

In this changing world, apprenticeships have a key role to play.  I met John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and skills to discuss the government’s ambitious plans to extend apprenticeships to 1 in 5 over the next 10 years.  The plan has the public backing and support of employers like Sir Alan Sugar, Sir Alex Ferguson and Gary Rhodes.

Good news too in health. In the quarter to September 2007, MRSA infections have fallen by 18% and C.difficile by 16% in those over 65 and14% in the age group 2 to 64.  This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of NHS staff.

I met with senior management from Tesco at their Sudden supermarket to discuss the planned redevelopment on their existing site to provide an improved modern service for shoppers.  I also met with the other Rochdale MPs for a briefing meeting with the Council Leader Alan Taylor and Chief Officers who explained the 2008 Budget figures explained to us.  The council recognises the increased Government grant.  It will be interesting to compare council tax increases across Greater Manchester and compare proposed cuts in services.  Although the Lib Dem controlled Cabinet opposed a Labour move against congestion charges and voted to support their introduction, I see no benefits for my constituents in the immediate future and I will continue to oppose charges until there is a visible improvement to transport across my area. 

In the evening I enjoyed presenting awards to a number of young people from St Luke’s School in Heywood. Head teacher Peter Baddeley has every reason to be proud of his school.  Jim Robertson an old boy of St Luke’s  was the official photographer at the event.  He gets younger every day. 

In the House of Commons I attended an event where Rochdale Home Improvements Agency were presented with the award for Agency of the Year.  Congratulations to Paul Gordowicz and his team for winning this national recognition.

On Wednesday 6 February I entertained David and Margaret Weissman former Minister at Bamford Chapel in the House of Commons now living in Skipton.  They enjoyed Prime Minister’s Question Time, before lunch and a tour of the Commons. It was good to meet with them again and talk about old times. 

In the evening I spoke at a rally

in Central Methodist Hall, Westminster to an audience of a thousand on the grave dangers of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. This Bill is proposing to remove the “need for a father” from law, create babies to be used as spare parts for siblings with disease, create human/animal embryos and liberalising abortion laws. We need people who are appalled by these measures to write to Gordon Brown and express their concerns.

On Friday I attended Alex Gray’s funeral in Alkrington United Reform Church.  Alex had been my agent since 1997. He was a great asset to me, to the Labour Party to the Pensioners and as a Councillor and Chair of Finance to RMBC several years ago.  He will be sadly missed. 

In the evening I attended the Sports for All awards ceremony in the Town Hall.  This group is working hard to promote community cohesion through sports across the borough. Their aim is to establish good relationships and increase young people’s aspirations and achievements.  It was an enjoyable event and they deserve support for their hard work and commitment. This week parliament will be in recess and I am going away for a few days.