As the only unwhipped MP I was delighted to hear during the debate on the Health and Social Care Bill that a senior Tory ex-Minister regards himself as unwhippable. It was splendid that so many Labour MPs also showed themselves to be unwhippable by voting against the Government on the issue of Foundation Trusts.
The Government majority of only 35 on this important issue shows again that the effective opposition to a Government with a huge majority comes from its own independently-minded backbenchers when they believe that the best interests of their constituents are not being served by a Government Bill.
I was particularly concerned by a new clause in the Bill that reduces the power of ordinary people to contest proposed hospital mergers and closures. The Lords will now debate the Bill before it returns to the Commons.

I attended the Wyre Forest educational review meeting at Baxter College on 3 July. I was pleased to hear that the County Council is not consulting on a single preferred option but has put forward a range of options.

The inescapable facts are that Wyre Forest has too many school places and that the County does not have enough money for education and less than other comparable counties. MPs, councillors, head teachers and parents throughout the County have addressed the funding issue, so far without result.

The easy answer to too many school places is to close small schools which will also save money. Our only hope of preserving some or all of the smaller schools that are so prized by pupils, staff and parents is to produce an alternative strategy that will meet the County Councils two objectives.

I will take forward any alternative proposals that are sent to me as my aim for the outcome of the review is better education for all of our children.

While at the meeting at Baxter College, Dave Seddon, the new inspirational head teacher told us that next term the College will be fully staffed with 12 new teachers, nine of whom have worked with him before. Surely a testimonial to his leadership!

I attended a special conference of the Association of Community Health Councils of England and Wales in London and talked to them about the achievements of CHCs in the past. With the abolition of CHCs the crucial bodies that will take their place are the Primary Care Trust Patients' Forums. It is essential that people with an interest in local health services consider applying for places on the Wyre Forest PCT Patients' Forum. This will act as the one-stop shop for citizens' views on services whether provided by GPs, hospitals, ambulances or the Mental Health Trust. Please look out for information about how to apply for one of these vital positions.

I hear that the County Council in their waste disposal plans are again looking at incineration. I will keep a careful watch on these plans but I am not too alarmed yet as no councillors will forget the huge opposition the possibility of an incinerator raises among local people.

R.T.