Letter from Parliament

Paul Rowen MP

The last ten days continue to be extremely busy both in Westminster and in Rochdale. Following the floods in which areas in both Littleborough and Central Rochdale were affected I’ve had discussions with several people. These include Councillors Peter Evans, Zulfiqar Ali and Greg Couzens alongside Council Officers like John Patterson.

It is apparent to me that there is a need for much greater co-ordination between the Council, United Utilities and the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency has admitted as much in a report they’ve just published on the floods last summer. Their report could be applied equally to what happened here so I’ve secured a debate from the Speaker next Wednesday in Westminster Hall on flooding in Rochdale.

I expect the Minister replying will be my neighbouring MP Phil Woolas, so it will be an all Rochdale affair! I intend to press the case for a Flooding Act with clear lines of responsibility and increased investment to protect areas at risk of flooding.

Last Tuesday, I was pleased to meet Jason Addy from Spodden Valley together with two of his students from Manchester Metropolitan University. They were in London as part of a lobby of MPs against the Law Lords decision to stop compensation for victims of pleural plaques – caused by exposure to asbestos. It was a good natured rally on a very serious issue.

Other visitors to Westminster in the last couple of weeks have included Martin Hall, ex Rochdale and Wigan Rugby player and popular Heywood councillor Peter Rush. They were here for the All-Party Rugby League Dinner.

Last Friday I had to make an emergency visit to the dentist for a crown that had come out. I’m lucky I have a dentist but I know that many people are not so lucky. On Tuesday I was able to ask the Health Secretary Alan Johnson about funding for dentists. I suggested that in areas like Rochdale which have a shortage of additional funding should be made available to enable the PCT to take on more dentists. The Government have accepted this for GPs and Rochdale is benefiting and I was pleased that the Health Secretary agreed to look into it.

This week I’ve been very involved in the Pension Bill spending five and a half hours on the bill on Tuesday for example. This is a major piece of legalisation that will enable many people for the first time to save for their retirement. We’ve had a number of concessions from the Government and some areas where they have agreed to look at what we are saying. One of these was on securing an ethical basis for the pension investments. I spoke about the Co-operative principles from the Rochdale Pioneers and how that underscored the modern co-operative movement. I had strong support from three Labour MPs which did force the Minister to agree to look at it again.

The hot news in Westminster in the last few days has of course been MP’s allowances and the misuse of them by a minority. I do not employ anyone from my family and my staff were appointed after open advertisement and a rigorous appointment process. That said I’ve been disgusted by the actions of some national newspapers who demanded instant replies to emails on threat of disclosure. We need greater transparency but within an agreed framework that does not allow journalists to harass MPs staff. We are paid to take the flack not our staff!

On Monday I attended the funeral of Rusa Coric, Angela Coric’s mum. It was an Orthodox funeral and though sad, it was a real celebration of her life. Like many who came to this country as refugees following the Second World War, Rusa worked hard in our cotton mills and made a real contribution to the town. I know that Angela has been very appreciative of all the cards, flowers and letters of support.  I know that Rusa was very proud of Angela’s achievements on the Council – especially her Mayoral Year.

On Thursday I spoke on Granada TV’s Party People programme on the Labour Government’s latest crackpot idea of throwing people out of their Council houses if they will not work. The problem to me is not people refusing to work but a lack of jobs.

This weekend I’ve a full programme including presenting awards at the Sport for All Awards evening and two surgeries on Saturday morning.