Parliamentary sketch – The other side of the lilo

Many MPs will apparently (not this one!) reluctantly ease themselves off their holiday lilos to return to do battle again in the Westminster Village this week.

August has been a good time to make progress on many fronts, but difficult on others:

Affordable Homes

My Private Member’s Bill gets it’s first debate (2nd Reading) next week, but I’ve had great difficulty getting any clear answers from Government Departments about what they think, because most people have been away.

An 11th hour reworking is called for to give the Bill the best chance of getting through and therefore helping locals in housing need and families hit by the ‘Bedroom Tax’.

Strengthening the NHS

In spite of tight budgets, it’s good to see that our Health Chiefs are talking about bringing our hospitals and health services into a closer working relationship. The failed mantra of turning everything into business units or forcing services to compete with private companies has produced inefficiencies and massive wastage, so it’s good to see rational common sense begin to prevail…

Consequences of Scottish devolution

If Scotland really does vote to cut itself off, I’ll be arguing that Cornish fishermen should demand their fish back! Scotland gets a disproportionate slice of the UK quota. If they choose to go independent they cannot presume that they’ll be entitled to an unfair share forever. Cornish fishermen should demand a renegotiation of the basis of the way our fishing quotas have been divvied up.

Re-build at Helston College

I met out-going Helston College Principal, Dr Pat McGovern last week to review progress since the our meeting with the School’s Minister and the submission of 3 rebuild options for the college. A good case made. Fingers crossed for later this year.

Invest in Maritime future of Penzance

Ambitions to drive investment into Penzance seafront and the town’s great maritime potential gather support. Brilliant and successful campaign to win grants for Jubilee Pool, but more fundraising needed. Now seeking help to put together plans for an offshore breakwater and investment plans.

Countryside protection

This week I’ll meet Countryside Minister Lord de Mauley with a delegation of local farmers to seek advice and clarity on how to make sure that rules on ‘Common Land’ protect the environment, public access and food production.

Bathing water standards

I’m pressing for improvements in standards of storm water management and bathing water monitoring with the help of Surfers Against Sewage.

Better transport

Following good news of a £multimillion rail investment, I’m pressing for similar levels of support for our bus service and have meetings with helicopter businesses regarding a possible new service to the Scillies.

…to mention a few of the Parliamentary summer recess projects…

 

You can contact Andrew George by email: andrew.george.mp@parliament.uk.  His constituency office can be contacted at Trewella, 18 Mennaye Road, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 4NG.  Telephone: 01736 360020.

 

Andrew George MP

Kernow a’n West ha Syllan

West Cornwall and the Scillies

Kwartron Porthia

Constituency of St Ives

Tel:  01736 360020

Fax:  01736 332866

 

26th August 2014