Last week on Wednesday I had a debate which clashed with a meeting of the Health Select Committee when Jamie Oliver was the witness about tackling the obesity problem. As it was my debate I could not go to the Health Committee meeting but the press coverage, as the witness was a celebrity, was full.

My debate raised the awareness of internet fraud as we learn of alarming examples of this in Wyre Forest. 

I suggested a 'Scam Alert Day' to highlight the risk which is faced by all of us by telephone, letter or e-mail. 
The Minister responding had an idea that there was a 'Scam Awareness Week' but the awareness of this is low as his staff "thought" it might be in February and none of the MPs present had even heard of it. 
My assistant looked on Google and found the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) runs a 'Scam Awareness Month' but how many people have heard of this? 

I have written to OFT to suggest that one concentrated day when all papers, TV and radio channels and the internet would be saturated with scam awareness messages, might have the most effect. We already have the ideal slogan for such a campaign – "If it's too good to be true, it's not true". We must all remember this as the Minster told me later that he had been caught into revealing personal details.
________

Sadly it is looking unlikely that we have any ways of reversing the post office closures. I am told by Consumer Focus, the replacement organisation for Postwatch, that it has been in place throughout the consultation process and that now the final decision has been taken by Post Office Limited there is no appeal process. 
Government Ministers will not overturn these decisions as so many branches are affected in their own constituencies. 

Having seen Postwatch's comments to Post Office Limited on the objections from so many of us to the closure of Comberton Hill and The Walshes branches, they are woefully inadequate and I am working to see if we can do anything about this, but I am not hopeful.
________

At least during a debate on the Post Office Card Account on Monday, Ministers were left in no doubt about the commitment of MPs of all parties to their post offices and, if Post Office do no retain the Card Account, about the real risk of losing another 3,000 branches, in addition to the 2,500 already being closed. 
A vote on this, organised by the Liberal Democrats was lost by only 38 votes indicating a considerable back bench Labour revolt. If the Government allow the Card Account to go to an alternative provider in the face of this opposition they could lose any votes they may be picking up because of the Brown Bounce.
________

Remembrance Sunday was greeted by fine weather in the morning and I was amazed and delighted by the huge turnout in Kidderminster for the parade and wreath laying. 
Then our huge Parish Church of St. Mary's was packed to overflowing for the service. 
I understand Bewdley was crowded too. In the afternoon, more hardy souls turned out for the service in Wribbenhall despite the continuous downpour.

Again Remembrance Sunday has proved its lasting significance.