28 October, 2004

I have just returned from a week in Australia with the Health Select Committee as part of our current enquiry into the influence of the pharmaceutical industry on the NHS. Although visits like this take me away from London and local affairs, as the only doctor on the Health Committee I do feel I have a worthwhile contribution to make and that as a part of my wider role, taking part in these visits is important. We heard from clinical pharmacologists from Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand about how they regulate the pharmaceutical industry. With the recent discoveries of unexpected side effects of important drugs only after marketing there are many issues that we have to take into account.

Returning to London, there was an Opposition Day debate on higher education and even though the Government’s proposal for top up fees was passed some months ago, there are still great concerns from universities about their financial future. 

Then the House was engaged for an afternoon session on procedures for debates in the House. I was surprised but pleased that a motion to encourage shorter speeches was passed without objection. Visitors to the House of Commons are referred to as ‘Strangers’ which now seems to be an unfortunate term as most visitors are well known to MPs. I was therefore surprised that there was any opposition to the removal of this term from bars, restaurants and galleries. I suppose it was the real traditionalists who felt the term was worth retaining. These votes were not whipped and I am always pleased when I find myself in the same lobby as senior free thinking MPs of all parties.

I had a useful meeting with Sharon Grant, the Chairman of the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health (CPPIH), the organisation responsible for patient forums which to my disappointment is about to be abolished. We are trying to raise the awareness of this important issue among other MPs so that the support for patient forums is maintained. In an adjournment debate in July, I did receive assurances of continued funding for the support of patient forums from whatever body takes the place of the CPPIH.

Advantage West Midlands, our Regional Development Agency, held a reception in the House of Commons for Midlands MPs and I was able to push for funding to help towards the redevelopment of what is now known as the Stourport Road Employment Corridor. To bring back into use the sites of British Sugar, Folkes Forge and ROM Wire would have a huge benefit for our area and that part of the town particularly. I was also able to highlight our rich industrial heritage and sow the seeds for help in displaying and promoting our museums and archives to a wider audience than at present.

RT