Last few days before Christmas in Parliament- Bob Spink MP

22nd December 2008

During the last two weeks before Christmas Bob took part in 29 debates, placed over fifty questions and tabled 14 commons motions, among much else, actively holding the Government to account and fighting for his constituents.

As an Independent Bob has much greater influence, he will only vote for what is right for you, which will be even more important after the next election when the majority in Parliament is likely to be very small.

Bob says: “ I do not expect an election until May 2010, but when it comes, we will be ready. I work for you, not for a political party, so I can always do what is right for you.”

CRUELTY AGAINST ANIMALS
Motion Presented to Parliament 16.12.2008 Dr. Spink
That this House notes that the video, posted on the internet by Animal Saviours, graphically shows the skinning alive of dogs for the fur trade and depicts some of the most outrageous, horrific and utterly disgusting acts of cruelty that can ever have been perpetrated; suggests that hon. Members would be well advised not to look at the video as it is likely to cause serious trauma; and calls on the Government to make diplomatic representations to China on this practice and to bring forward legislative proposals to ban products manufactured using such practices.

----
Royal Mail
Bob Spink (Castle Point) (Ind): Let us be clear: decent, hard-working Royal Mail staff and their families are approaching this Christmas deeply worried. Can the Minister guarantee that there will be no forced redundancies as a result of his statement, and will he make it his policy to start to return public business to the Post Office?

The Minister for Employment Relations and Postal Affairs, Mr. Pat McFadden: As I said in my statement, the Hooper review did not cover the network of post office branches. Our intent was illustrated several weeks ago when we announced that the Post Office card account would go to the post office network. I am glad to say that the Select Committee on Business and Enterprise has agreed to undertake a further inquiry into what further work might go to the post office network. I know that that is valued on both sides of the House.

On the question of the staff, I return to what I said to my hon. Friend the Member for North Ayrshire and Arran (Ms Clark) when she said that morale was low. I accept that there has been a history of industrial relations problems in the Royal Mail. I believe that there is a need for a fresh start, and I do not believe that much can be gained by blaming anyone for the history of industrial relations problems. There is a lot in the statement for the staff at Royal Mail, who have worked hard and made a hugely important contribution. There is a lot in this for the staff, particularly when it comes to the pension fund proposals.

-----
POLICE
Bob Spink (Castle Point) (Independent): Will the Home Secretary commend Essex chief constable Roger Baker’s policy of ensuring that a police officer attends whenever there has been a crime, and does she think that the policy could be spread to other constabularies as good practice?

Jacqui Smith: I was very pleased to visit Essex constabulary at the beginning of December, and to praise chief constable Roger Baker and the Essex police force for being the first to commit publicly to the police pledge. At the heart of the police pledge is how we can ensure that local people have the information, support and ability to have an input into the policing that they want. Chief constable Roger Baker is doing an extremely good job in Essex.

-----
OFFICE OF GAS AND ELECTRICITY MARKETS
Energy Prices, Fuel Poverty and Ofgem
Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North) (Lab): In fact, the general mood is that when people deal with the energy bosses, they are dealing with greedy swine.

Dr. Spink (Castle Point) (Independent): I guess that the hon. Gentleman does not altogether subscribe to what the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) said about energy bosses, but I think that he would acknowledge that the energy companies have acted too slowly and not sufficiently to deal with the problems. Does he not think that one of the solutions is to put social tariffs on a statutory basis—standardise them across the companies so that the public can understand them, and make sure that we in the House, the Government and the companies themselves make the public aware of them? Currently, the public are simply not aware that social tariffs are available. Does the hon. Gentleman not think that what I have mentioned might be part of a good solution?

Dr. Whitehead (Lab): I thank the hon. Gentleman for that suggestion. Putting social tariffs on a statutory basis and making sure that they are not simply a device to shift responsibility for underwriting them to different forms of customers is important. However, I emphasised earlier that our world has changed; I also think that simply saying that we can shift notions about how people pay for electricity is not a sufficient answer to fuel poverty or energy supply problems.

----
Department of Health Dental Services
Dr. Spink (Castle Point) (Ind): In my constituency, like in others, dentists walked away from the NHS because of the new contract and people can not get the NHS dental service they need and deserve. The right hon. Gentleman will welcome the 11 per cent. increase that the Government have put in, but can we be confident that the new formula will distribute that money on the basis of unmet need on this occasion? The key problem with the contract was that the basis of allocation by the PCTs was a historic and restricted view of previous spending.

Mr. Barron: That is precisely the area in which the Government agreed with the Committee. The contract had to be historic, because we had to defend existing NHS dentistry. The question whether that funding was based on the needs of the population is one of the most difficult when it comes to expenditure on the NHS—I have in mind the debate on improving primary health care. The question is where the disease burdens lie, and answering it is still a problem.

----
BBC World Service
Dr. Spink Does the hon. Gentleman believe that it was not so much a financial decision to cut the Russian service but that the BBC has taken a political view, as it does not want to upset the Russian establishment? That is lamentable, given the present misunderstandings between Russia and the UK.

Mr. Hands: The hon. Gentleman is partly right…. As we know, the situation with regard to democracy and human rights is bad in Russia at the moment. That is not the subject of today’s debate, but there is something of a consensus across the parties about the dire situation there, especially about Anglo-Russian relations. However, it is worth pointing out that the media situation in Russia is especially bad.

---
Economy, Pensions and Welfare
Dr. Spink (Castle Point) (Independent): My hon. Friend is discussing the financial market, and he will be as concerned as I am about the Madoff swindle, which could cost HSBC and the Royal Bank of Scotland alone a sum approaching £1.1 billion. How will that impact on hedge funds, and what should the Government do about that right now?

Mr. Pelling: It is important that we debate that issue on the day on which the extent of the Madoff scandal and fraud has come to light. At over $50 billion, it is much bigger than the amount of the fiscal stimulus proposed by the Government. To provide confidence in the hedge fund industry in the UK—my hon. Friend is right to emphasise the fact that the crisis is attacking the financial industry here in London—it is important that proper work be done as a matter of urgency to audit hedge funds in the UK.

----
IRAQ
Dr. Spink: The hon. Gentleman said that he was perhaps the first British MP to go to those areas, having visited them recently. He is incorrect. I went to Iraq just after the war and was there as it was being declared. I met members of the Christian community and their political and church leaders, so I, too, have had discussions with people in Iraq. I have seen what the Kurdistan Regional Government have been doing to discriminate positively in favour of the Christian communities and to try to help them. We all know that more can be done, but let us at least acknowledge that the British Government have a duty to try to make the situation better out there and to support the KRG in their positive efforts to help people.

Mr. Leigh: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intervention. That is the purpose of the debate—we are sitting here in the presence of a British Minister, and there is no doubt that we have a responsibility in the matter. I shall not go over all the arguments about whether it was right to invade Iraq. Everybody knows my views, and we shall now look to the future. The British and American Governments have a responsibility, because there is no doubt that the position of Christians in Iraq has got immeasurably worse since the invasion in 2003.

I add straight away that I am no apologist for Saddam Hussein. I have talked to many Christians who were persecuted by him or conscripted into the terrible war with Iran. I went to their villages, and as the hon. Gentleman said that he has visited northern Kurdistan, he may well have visited them himself. I saw villages that had been bombed, and I say to him that I am not pro-Kurd or anti-Kurd. The Kurds suffered terribly under Saddam and fought side by side with the Christians. They were displaced and fled into Turkey. However, I have also talked to many Christians who are still suffering in Kurdistan, and I shall turn to that point later.

Dr. Spink: The Minister is making a lot of sense. Has he had any discussions with the Kurdish Regional Government about the positive discrimination that they employed so that Christian communities could overcome the prejudice under which they live in northern Iraq? Although the Minister will admit, as we all would, that the KRG have much further to go, will he congratulate them on the fact that they have at least begun the journey?

Bill Rammell: I agree with the hon. Gentleman and it is important that we recognise that process. That was one of the things that I discussed with the KRG when I visited Irbil a month or so ago, and it will continue to be a feature of our discussions.

Motions Presented to Parliament

ENERGY PRICING 16.12.2008 Dr. Spink
That this House notes that energy companies have now agreed to reduce energy prices by £500 million; further notes that this is only a small proportion of their recent additional profits of £4,000 million and is taking far too long to come through; further notes that all consumer groups, including small businesses, feel the energy companies may have been improperly profiteering and that the energy regulator, Ofgem, has failed to take timely and sufficient action to prevent profiteering; and therefore calls on the Government to review with Ofgem what urgent action can be taken to reduce energy prices for all consumers, especially those in fuel poverty, to standardise the Social Tariff schemes and put them on a statutory basis, to publicise widely the Social Tariff schemes and to do all this immediately.

TRANSPLANTING ORGANS GROWN FROM ADULT STEM CELLS 15.12.2008 Dr. Spink
That this House welcomes the first transplant of an organ grown in a laboratory from adult stem cells; notes that by using stem cells obtained from the organ recipient both the risk of rejection and the need for long-term immuno-suppressant drug therapy are removed; further notes the role played in the transplant by Bristol University, a world-renowned centre of excellence in stem cell research; and calls on the Government to foster the translation of stem cell research into effective treatments as a means of assisting the terminally and criticially ill and of boosting the reputation of UK science internationally.

ANIMAL TESTING FOR HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS 15.12.2008 Dr. Spink
That this House notes the Government prohibited the use of animals to test cosmetic products and their ingredients, because is caused unjustified suffering given the nature of the products; supports the campaign of the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection to end the suffering of animals in tests for household products and their ingredients; and calls on the Government to implement a policy of prohibition on issuing licences to test household products and their ingredients on animals without delay.

PARENTLINE HELP AT CHRISTMAS 15.12.2008 Dr. Spink
That this House congratulates the staff and volunteers working with Parentline, the national parent support charity, which provides a 24-hour, free, confidential helpline and the new Got a Teenager website, for the work they do to help parents with teenagers and children; further congratulates the Government on its Parent Know How programme which aims to ensure parents have access to appropriate information, advice and guidance to support them in their parenting roles; notes that an online survey of parents conducted by Parentline Plus shows that the credit crunch is biting this Christmas with over a third of parents cutting back on spending; further notes that parents are being hit by the triple whammy of higher prices, the end of fixed-rate mortgages and a fear of losing their jobs, and they can no longer afford to give their children the latest fashion and technology, causing increasing family stress; and therefore calls on the Government to continue to fund Parentline and for hon. Members to refer constituents experiencing difficulties to Parentline via the confidential free telephone helpline and their online support.

WINDFALL TAX ON ENERGY COMPANIES 15.12.2008 Dr. Spink
at end add `, unless the energy providers immediately give support to those in fuel poverty and cut the costs of fuel to appropriate levels for all consumers.'.

POSTAL WORKERS' CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY 15.12.2008 Dr. Spink (Italics)
That this House believes that Royal Mail's requirement for postal workers to work on Saturday 27 December is wholly unreasonable, when they are exhausted from the extra demands placed on them by the Christmas post; and calls on Royal Mail to show Christmas spirit and allow Saturday 27 December as a holiday as has been the case in previous years; and is mindful of the public's perception of the extraordinary three-week recess which hon. Members have taken over the Christmas period.

EDM 356 SUPERBUGS Dr. Spink
That this House is concerned that, despite recent falls, infection rates of MRSA, C. difficile, Norovirus and other superbugs remain high, and there is considerable public anxiety about this issue; notes that as everyone can carry and spread superbugs, patients and visitors as well as hospital staff have a part to play in helping to tackle infection; believes that patients should individually be provided with the means and information to protect themselves and others when they go into hospital; and calls upon the Government to provide a comprehensive range of personal antimicrobial products that are proven to kill superbugs and a hygiene guide to every NHS in-patient prior to admission, or as soon after admission as possible as this will help reduce infection rates, empower patients and instil good hygiene practices at a fraction of the financial cost of treating those who contract superbugs.

In addition, Parliamentary Questions by Bob revealed that there has been a 25% increase in Alcohol-related hospital admissions since the Government introduced 24 hour drinking… Why is any one surprised? Bob asks… and that the Government will make an announcement shortly on allowing our national flags on number plates among thirty or so questions… and the following questions were among ten or so placed by Bob.

Named Day Written question to: Department for Work and Pensions for answer on 19 Jan 2009 12:00 AM
If he will make it his policy to collect information on the total sum paid in UK benefits to people who are i) not UK nationals and ii) not currently living in the UK and if he will make a statement.

Named Day Written question to: Department for Work and Pensions for answer on 14 Jan 2009 12:00 AM
If he will make it his policy to collect information on the number of EU nationals who have returned from the UK to their own country and continued to receive benefits from the UK.

Named Day Written question to: HM Treasury for answer on 13 Jan 2009 12:00 AM
what estimate he makes of the cost to the UK of the EU's Economic Recovery Plan that was agreed on Friday, 12th December and if he will make a statement.