Last week was hectic in London with two debates to in which I took part and several divisions to conclude outstanding business before the House of Commons ended its current session last Thursday.

The new session began with the Queen's Speech yesterday and will be followed by several days of debate about its contents. It will be interesting to see if Labour backbench opposition appears to some of the more controversial proposals.

This is possible on health issues including the formation of 'Foundation Hospitals' and the Mental Health Bill that has already aroused much alarm among doctors, nurses and patient groups.

With the official opposition in a weak position, the Government's own backbenchers appear to me to have most power to make the Government consider changing course.

I have had several letters from parents of small children and pet owners about the alarms from noisy fireworks and their unexpected late night explosion on many occasions in addition to Guy Fawkes' night. This problem has been raised frequently in the Commons and the result is a Government paper recommending action that can be taken within existing legislation. To change the law is difficult because of so many issues competing for parliamentary time. The recommendations include voluntary restraint on the supply of very noisy fireworks, pilot trials of fixed penalty notices for letting off fireworks in the street and to make it easier for local authorities to use the offence of Night Noise in domestic premises and gardens within the Noise Act of 1996. These may sound too weak for many but at least there is recognition of the problem. We must watch and see if they lead to less nuisance in the near future.

Remembrance Sunday dawned with soaking rain but to everyone's surprise by the time of the parades the sun was attempting to break through and it remained dry long enough for the tributes at the War Memorials throughout Wyre Forest. I joined the Mayors' Parade at Kidderminster this year and was gratified by the large numbers of marchers and spectators who crowded into St Mary's Church for the service. It was appropriately a time for prayers for peace as well as of gratitude and remembrance.

I had the privilege of unveiling the Jubilee Mural at Stone First School. This is a really original and memorable monument to the Queen's Golden Jubilee in the form of five original wall plaques made by the children out of clay but then fired and glazed for permanent protection. The models on the plaques depict icons of each decade from Marilyn Monro to the Teletubbies with the landing on the moon and the mobile phone in between. The pupils were helped by their visiting art teacher, Richard Capstick, who was at the unveiling with old boys and girls of the school of widely ranging ages.

R.T.