Plas Meddyg Surgery

I was delighted to be invited to open the new extension to the Plas Meddyg GP surgery in Bexley Village.  The practice now has three additional consulting rooms to support the work of Dr Sykes and the rest of the healthcare team.  I hope it will help the practice to continue to broaden the range of community healthcare services for residents living in Bexley Village.   

Hornchurch Farewell

With the General Election imminent the boundary changes which will divide and abolish the Hornchurch constituency will come into effect in a matter of days. These changes will also mark the end of my period in office as the Member of Parliament for Hornchurch. It has been a genuine privilege to serve as the MP for Hornchurch, Elm Park Rainham and Wennington since 2005 and I've been touched by the kind and generous messages from local residents in recent weeks.

During this time there have been a number of important victories for the local community. St George's Hospital, Hornchurch which was ear-marked for closure when I took office can look forward to a secure future. Elm Park has seen a new library to enhance facilities for local residents and investment in CCTV to help improve community safety. The annual Elm Park Fiesta and Christmas Illuminations have created added focus and attention on the community.

In Rainham there have been plenty of battles to fight. Proposals to make Rainham a site for processing contaminated debris in the event of a serious terrorist incident were reversed. Plans for a moto-cross circuit at Launders Lane were rejected. The Rainham Prison proposals for the Beam Reach 5 Industrial Park were dropped after thousands of people marching through the streets of Rainham brought the area to a stand-still. And plans for a 5,000 seat ‘mega church' were refused after strong opposition at a public inquiry.

It has certainly been a busy period and I've been proud to have played a part in all of these successes. But none of this could have been achieved without the local community coming together with a ‘yes we can' spirit. With this attitude and outlook as my time in Hornchurch comes to an end, I have little doubt that the local community can look forward to a positive future.

Combating Computer Crime

On-line crime is one of the fastest growing crimes in Britain today. Senior police officers estimate that a crime with an online element is committed every ten seconds. This has serious consequences for not only our economy, but our everyday lives where the virtual world has become an integral part of the day to day functioning of the physical world. These growing ‘digital dangers' of the online environment have not been taken seriously enough by Labour. Conservatives would take action on a number of fronts.

We would make it easier to report online scams and computer enabled crime. This would build on the initial work of the National Fraud Strategic Authority to provide both tactical and strategic intelligence on computer enabled crime and fraud. Where emerging patterns of risk or organised scams emerge, alerts would be provided through an on-line safety portal. This would also give computer users practical steps to help protect computer users falling victim to on-line crime.

We would raise corporate risk management surrounding data retention by requiring businesses holding significant quantities of personal data to report incidents where personal information has been lost, stolen or compromised and if required notify their customers that they may be at risk of identity fraud. Education and awareness of the potential risks in the on-line environment also need to be enhanced. That's why we would promote on-line safety as a core part of all ICT training in schools and colleges.

Enforcement needs to be strengthened to send a clear message that online crime will not be tolerated. We would provide clearer co-ordination between the various law enforcement agencies responsible for computer crime and establish a dedicated team within the Crown Prosecution Service. We would also strengthen international co-operation to assist in cross-border investigations.

More of the same simply isn't an option.

The Olympic Tower

One of the lighter issues discussed on LBC 97.3 last night was the Turner-prize winning artist Anish Kapoor's striking steel sculpture for the Olympic site. There have been various descriptions of the twisted steel design, most uncomplimentary. I described it as resembling inter-twining red musical treble clefs. Cathy by contrast said it looked more like collapsing steel cranes - you get the difference of view even in this household! The tower currently has the title of the Arcelor Mital ‘Orbit'. I suspect that in time a more everyday description will develop.

Whilst the initial commentary has been negative, I think over time it will grow in Londoners' affections. Think of how the ‘Angel of the North' was initially derided but now is lauded. Whilst the scale of the Olympic Site is impressive it is largely functional and lacks a striking feature. Kapoor's tower will provide the striking aspect and will be featured across the globe. I think it will provide a modern symbol not just for the Olympics but for London in the 21st century. We may knock the idea now, but once it is up I don't think many will be clamouring to knock it down.

Preparing for the next problem drug

Tragically, the drug Mephedrone has been dominating the headlines over the last few weeks. The so called 'legal high' has been linked to the deaths of a number of people. Focus has rightly been placed on public health concerns and controls applied to the drug and moves to classify the drug are welcome. It seems that many young people are making the mistake that because it's legal they think it's safe. It isn't with the chemistry of Mephedrone being similar to that of an amphetamine.

What has also been disturbing has been the way in which it is being sold. Rather than being offered by the drug dealer down a dark ally, Mephedrone is being sold openly over the internet as 'plant food' or other absurd descriptions in order to subvert medicines control legislation.

Despite movement in the last few days, the Government has been slow to act with some suggestions that the risks attached to this new breed of drug were telegraphed as long as five years ago. At the very least, the prevalence of Mephedrone on the club scene has been known about for many months and the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs flagged their concerns with the Home Secretary during the course of 2009.

What's clear to me is that the current system for responding to new and emerging drugs just isn't up to scratch in the internet age. We need a speedier mechanism to respond to new drugs intended for human consumption (however they may be marketed).

Conservatives would reform the drugs laws to provide a new temporary classification to enable controls on sale and supply to be applied where significant public health concerns are raised about a new substance. This would apply for a period of up to one year and would allow time for expert input and analysis to be provided to inform decisions on whether a formal classification should be made or not whilst addressing safety risks. It would also enable appropriate public health alerts to be given in a structured manner.

We need to learn from the tragic loss of life linked to this latest drug. What is clear is that, sadly, there will be many more of its kind which will follow.

Double charging for radio?

Tougher economic times have drawn into question part of the licensing scheme operated by PRS for Music. In particular, whether shops and businesses should pay charges for simply playing the radio in the workplace. Interestingly, I've had this issue flagged up from two sides. The stores and firms which balk at having licence fees levied on them when they are struggling to keep in business. And the radio stations who say that they are already paying a licence fee for broadcasting music and that this is effectively ‘double taxation'.

It's become a bit of a pet issue for me as I've held a long interest in the radio industry and am a keen supporter of community radio. I've also been concerned by complaints I've received that some businesses feel that they've been picked on unfairly or small businesses who liken their work to being in a home environment and therefore why should they pay? Similarly, commercial radio stations have concerns that charging shops and businesses to play their output is hitting advertising revenues which have already been cut to the bone in the recession. On the other side PRS argue that many of their artists are small businesses and that they should be properly recompensed for the performance of their creative works.

I met up with PRS recently to put a number of these points to them. There was recognition that small businesses should not be picked on and exemptions for lone workers, certain guest houses and medical practitioners were highlighted. Small business tariffs starting at just £44 a year were stressed and a separate scheme for voluntary organisations underlined. I certainly welcome the fact that PRS are working with the Federation of Small Business and have promised to keep tariffs under review.

But this doesn't address the principal issue of ‘double charging' which was flagged up to me in no uncertain terms by RadioCentre - the trade body for commercial radio. But there may be a way forward. PRS have offered to fund research into the impact of licensing on radio advertising revenues, recognising that they wouldn't want to ‘cut off their nose despite their face' if some radio stations showcasing their artists were to go to the wall. Provided this is meaningful research conducted in collaboration with the industry, this may be helpful in informing the debate. However, my feeling is that this is going to be an issue which will be ongoing for some time yet.

Through Unity

After the shocking teenage stabbings of the last few days, there was even more poignancy to the ‘Through Unity' Conference in Docklands today. Through Unity is a charity which helps to give a voice to and support families who have lost loved ones to violent crime. The themes of the event were around stopping antisocial behaviour, binge drinking and youth violence; raising aspirations and providing real solutions to the problems; and how we can move forward to drive societal change.

It was a privilege to share a platform with Helen Newlove whose husband Garry was kicked to death outside of their home, Lorna Simpson whose son Jamie was killed in Hackney and Franklyn Edwards whose nephew Robert was stabbed to death protecting a 14 year old child in a street attack in Hackney. There were many other families in the audience. It was humbling and inspiring at the same time. I cannot think of more powerful voices to help drive political change. Rani King, the Chief Executive of Through Unity deserves great credit in bringing this extraordinary of group of people together.

There were many young people at the Conference and it was interesting to hear their perspective on the importance of youth facilities and the contribution that young people make to our society. Recurring themes of family, the need for boundaries and responsibility were raised by a number of contributors. For me, family policy has to be at the heart of providing the long-term solutions to deal with violent, aggressive and selfish behaviour. The reality lost on this Government is that strong families and strong communities are as effective in instilling a culture of respect and responsibility as any law, rule or regulation made in Westminster. That's a message I'll be taking away from today.

Featured in the picture are Iffat Rizvi, myself, Rani King and Helen Newlove.

Can the EU really delay Mephedrone controls?

Earlier this week it was suggested that even if it wanted to the Government wouldn't be able to act quickly against the drug Mephedrone or 'meow meow' because of the EU. It was claimed that to introduce new legislation to control the drug would require a 3 month consultation with our European partners. The Home Office itself appeared to give credence to this with an official suggesting that any ban would be in place "by the end of the year".

Certainly precedent on speedy law making to control harmful substances does not set a good example. It took the Home Office 18 months to implement the necessary regulations to control GBL (Gamma Butyrolactone) after the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) recommended legal restrictions.

It's true that the Technical Standards and Regulations Directive does provide for a 3 month notification period. However, the advice I've been given indicates that this directive is intended to cover restrictions on trade between EU member states. The spurious marketing of what amounts to a derivative of amphetamine as ‘plant food' hardly seems to qualify. In any event the directive incorporates an exemption relating to "the protection of public health of safety" where there are "urgent reasons."

If the ACMD does recommend on Monday that Mephedrone should be a controlled drug and the Government brings forward urgent measures to this effect it would have my support. Other European countries have already legislated to control Mephedrone.  In this conext, I will need some convincing that any delay in the implementation of any controls over the drug lies at the door of the EU.

Facebook's Unanswered Questions

Facebook rightly remains under pressure over its refusal to adopt a panic button to alert law enforcement agencies of potential child abuse. The social networking site has firmly set its face against the adoption of the ‘report abuse' facility developed by the Child Exploitation Online Protection Centre (CEOP) despite significant adverse criticism. The shocking rape and murder of teenager Ashleigh Hall has put the safety measures of social networking sites into stark focus. The 17 year old was lured by convicted double rapist Peter Chapman by creating a bogus Facebook profile using the picture of a teenager.

Jim Gamble, the Chief Executive of CEOP has asserted that just 3% of the reports of child grooming relating to Facebook are being received from the company directly. CEOP states that the vast majority of people are reporting allegations of online grooming and child abuse on Facebook to them via other websites and social networking sites. I simply cannot comprehend why Facebook is not willing to accede to the reasonable request of CEOP on this issue and adopt their ‘panic' button so that reports of child abuse are made to them directly without delay. Other social networking sites have adopted this approach, what makes Facebook so different and why do they think they know better?

I wrote to Facebook seeking answers to a number of questions, including why they believe that their child abuse reporting procedures are more effective than the CEOP report abuse facility and why they appear to think they are in a better position to judge the validity or seriousness of reports than the professionally trained officers at the relevant law enforcement agencies. Whilst I was initially told I would receive a speedy answer, two weeks on I have yet to receive a substantive response.

I think Facebook have made a bad judgement on this issue and I hope that time and reflection will enable them to realise this. If not, I know I won't be the only one pressing for answers.

The Surrealist Budget

If this budget were a painting it would be an exemplar of surrealism. The epitome of the absurd came with the suggestion that borrowing £167 billion this year is somehow a virtue, something we can all be pleased about. Similarly, that we should all take a collective sigh of relief at the fact that this has been the deepest recession on record, yet it wasn't as bad as we had feared. It was almost like twisted schadenfreude - a celebration not of someone else's misfortune but our own.

Then we had the hallmark of a Labour set-piece speech, the re-announcement. Although this being the surrealist budget, the Chancellor re-announced a Conservative policy on stamp duty relief for first time buyers. Next we had the bizarre. If your bank refuses to lend to you money as a business you can appeal their decision to a new independent regulator who will then force them to lend to you. Does that mean that the regulator will then underwrite the loan if the bank's original credit decision was right and the loan goes bad? How does that fit within wider financial regulation and capital adequacy requirements? Why not simply let the Government become a bank and lend directly to business and cut out the financial middle man? I think we know where that got us.

Then of course there was what wasn't in the Budget at all. The impact of the freezing of personal tax allowances. With inflation running at 3% that's a real terms financial hit for everyone paying income tax. And the other missing piece of the equation, the departmental spending plans. Yes, this was a budget that Salvador Dali would have been proud. The problem for the country is that it did nothing to tackle the deficit and did nothing to set out a clear economic strategy for the future. But there again, perhaps Alistair Darling has his eye on taking up art classes in the very near future.

Mephedrone Questions

Earlier today I pressed the Government over the dangers of Mephedrone which has sadly been hitting the headlines after the deaths of two teenagers thought to have taken the drug.  Whilst the Government are now seemingly rushing to take action, the issue of these synthetic drugs being sold online has been clear for some time.  The ACMD wrote to the Home Secretary before Christmas highlighting the public health concerns surrounding Mephedrone. Moreover, it was suggested in one press report today that the Home Office had been warned of the potential risks in a report five years ago.  The Home Office Minister Meg Hillier sought to dismiss this suggestion during today's Home Office questions by saying that the report was non-specific and was simply a long-term forward look of potential problems in emerging drug habits.  But surely this sort of advice is intended to promote proactive rather than reactive policy which we are now seeing?

It is clear that there is a need to reform the drug classification laws to provide for a holding category for new drugs where emerging patterns of use and initial assessments of the likely physiological impact or addictiveness highlight potential public health concerns.  This temporary classification would last for a maximum period of twelve months to allow a full examination of the drug to be conducted and for the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to provide their input and advice on the longer term policy approach to the drug.  This would provide a practical, speedy response to emerging drug risks, enabling public health alerts to be provided whilst also controlling supply without obviating the need for expert assessment to inform longer term policy.

The Minister today said that the ACMD was considering Mephedrone and the other related cathinone drugs in "its normal timescales".  The sad reality is that with the pace of drug development and new distribution channels via the internet this timescale isn't fast enough.  A Home Office official was quoted over the weekend as saying that should the ACMD recommend that Mephedrone be classified this change would be implemented by the end of the year.  It is reminiscent of the 18 month delay from the ACMD recommending the classification of GBL (Gamma Butyrolactone) to the passing of the necessary law making order.  This just isn't good enough and the current rigid requirements for the drug classification approval process look as if they are part of the problem.  This needs to change.

Elm Park Community Meeting

Attended my final Elm Park Community Meeting earlier today.  It's amazing to think how quickly five years have gone by.  It was good to see Rev Colin Philips as host from the Elm Park Baptist Church as well as Sergeant Ken McNish from the Elm Park Safer Neighbourhood Police Team and Ingrid Brandon from the Elm Park Regeneration Partnership.  All of them do so much good work for the local area.  What has been great to see over the last few years is the community coming together with the focal points around the annual Elm Park Fiesta and 'Illuminating Elm Park' event at Christmas. 

Elm Park celebrates its 75th anniversary in May and I have little doubt that this will provide a good opportunity for celebration as well as reflection.  With investment in CCTV, the new library and some new shops establishing in the centre, Elm Park has certainly seen improvement in the last few years.  Whilst there are issues that do still need addressing, with the strength of spirit and community engagement I have little doubt that Elm Park is on the right track for the future.

Heartstart Havering

Heartstart Havering marked their relaunch with a special event at the Queen's Hospital in Romford earlier today.  I joined the Deputy Mayor of Havering, Councillor Melvin Wallace, Angela Watkinson MP and other community representatives in supporting a new push to increase the number of people trained to respond if someone has a suspected heart attack.  I attended a Heartstart course several years back after my father had a heart attack. Having the knowlege to recognise the symptoms and - if necssary - provide basic CPR if someone goes into a cardiac arrest could literally save someone's life. 

Heartstart Havering's co-ordinator Andrew Attack has done a great job in launching the organisation in 2002 with the support of the British Heart Foundation and developing its programmes since then.  I hope that more people will take just a couple of hours to learn the basic skills.  The Deputy Mayor offered to take part in a future course and I hope others will too.

For further details you can contact Heartstart Havering on 01708 742566 or by emailing heartstart@haveing.org.uk.  You can also find out more about Heartstart Havering by visiting their website: www.havering.org.uk.

Safer Streets Drama

I attended a very moving event last night using drama to help reduce youth violence.  The Safer Streets Drama Project is aimed at getting young people to think about their behaviour, their aspirations and the choices they face against the temptation of taking the wrong path.  Through the drama 'Sam's Story' produced and performed by Ten Ten Theatre the project hopes to challenge disaffection and aggression.  The play itself is powerful and carefully crafted to make it both contemporary and relevant to its target audience in schools and young offender institutions. The aim of the programme is to raise self-esteem and aspiration, give young people the tools to manage their lives effectively and reduce knife crime and antisocial behaviour.

The launch of the project in Westminster was made even more poignant by the contributions of Barry and Margaret Mizen.  Their message of hope and forgiveness against the backdrop of the terrible sadness of the loss of their son Jimmy provided even greater context as to why this matters so much.  Ten Ten Theatre will be taking 'Sam's Story' into Feltham Young Offender Institute next week.  It will be interesting to see how this very worthy project develops.

For more details visit: www.tententheatre.co.uk

A Night on the Tiles

James Brokenshire recounts his night shadowing the London Ambulance Service and the Metropolitan Police as they respond to the drink-related problems of a Friday night on the streets of London.

The problems of alcohol fuelled crime and drink related illness have become ever clearer. The statistics speak for themselves. But it is the human cost and the cost on society that these numbers often fail to get across. And the pressures that excessive alcohol consumption places on our emergency services.

Last night I saw some of this myself. Spending the night criss-crossing London with the specialist team from the Metropolitan Police's clubs and vice unit responding to crime problems linked to licensed premises. Sitting with the paramedics from the London Ambulance Service in the back of their ‘booze bus' as they pick up the human pieces of those whose night on the town ends up with a night on a trolley in A&E.

My abiding memory from the night is the professionalism and good humour of those at the sharp end of dealing with binge boozing. Despite the fact that the work is constant and that resources are stretched they get on with the job of keeping people safe and helping those for whom it all gets too much.

I'm told I will need a strong stomach for the night. And this is tested soon enough. A girl sits in the back of the special alcohol ambulance. She is distraught. She's been sick. She is sobbing and she is incoherent. She can't be older than her late teens. She claims her drink has been spiked. The reality is that it is simply down to alcohol and that if drugs had been involved she wouldn't even be responding as much as she is.

As she sobs, she unburdens her problems at home, at work and her lack of self-esteem. In many ways alcohol is this young girl's means of blocking all of this out. But it masks much more deep-seated problems of which tonight's distressing episode is just one symptom. She has underlying health problems and is transported to St Thomas's Hospital to be checked out. My depressing feeling is that it won't be too long before this sad episode repeats itself again.

As we head back into town we are directed to a London bendy-bus which has pulled up on the side of the street. The driver reports an old man slumped on one of the seats at the back unconscious. There is a strong smell of urine. With compassion the London Ambulance team gently wakes him and tells him that it's time to get off. Eventually, disorientated and slightly dishevelled the man in his sixties is guided to the doors. With no need of emergency care, the man stumbles off into the night. The paramedics can do no more even though the stench of booze and his demeanour point to the fact that he is an alcoholic.

We get a call from the police. They are about to respond to an urgent call from an outer London borough after a brawl has broken out at a club. I change vehicles from the booze bus ambulance to an unmarked police car and we speed out through the late night traffic. When we arrive the scene has been cordoned off with the familiar blue and white police tape. Forensics are being taken inside. A small crowd of young men is hanging around and a contingent of uniformed police officers lines the streets. It's reported that someone has been ‘glassed' in the face with a bottle inside the club. There are spots of blood on the pavement. We're told it's the second problem this venue has had in as many nights.

The vice unit have been called to provide specialist support to the duty police inspector managing the incident on the legal options for obtaining a closure of the club. After discussions, the manager agrees to shut for the night voluntarily and is advised that a closure tomorrow would also be in order. He needs to talk to his superiors from the large company that owns the venue. As the discussions continue, another scuffle breaks out further down the road from a couple of guys whose self-control has gone out of the window after getting tanked up all night.

It's suggested that pay day may have promoted more problems. The reality is that it's a pay out for all of us every night in dealing with the social and human consequences of alcohol. The ambulance team leave a leaflet with everyone they pick up on the booze bus. It highlights that every 999 call out for having had one drink too many costs around two hundred pounds. That's with out taking account of the police and all of the other costs linked to binge boozing - or the fact call out to someone sozzled by drink is taking an ambulance away from someone who may be seriously ill or injured. With 60,000 calls last year this leaving a growing financial hangover and we are all picking up the tab.

The romantic view of London is one where the streets are paved with gold. If last night is anything to go by, the reality is very different. London's streets are more likely to be paved with bodily fluids and broken glass. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to those who are prepared pick up the pieces. It's been an eye opening night for me, but for our emergency services there is nothing unusual in what I've seen. For them this is business as usual. For me it says a lot if this is now the norm for a night out on the town.

Alcohol's Hidden Harms

The real cost of Britain's binge drinking culture are becoming ever clearer. The alcohol fuelled violent crime and loutish behaviour which blight many town centres. The increasing pressures on hospital A&E departments dealing with those injured or seriously intoxicated by excessive drinking. The rising death rates where alcohol was a contributory factor.

But there are other harms too. At last week's Conservative Women's Organisation (CWO) mini-conference in Grantham, a highly informed panel featuring representatives from Nottinghamshire Police, Lincolnshire NHS and the YWCA underlined other significant hidden harms. Young women at greater risk of falling victim to sexual assault when drunk, increased risks of domestic violence in the home environment, links to underlying mental health issues, inter-generational drug dependency and wider symptoms of social deprivation.

It was a genuine pleasure to take part in the discussions and hear more about some of the excellent community based work that is taking place. What it underlined to me was the need for a comprehensive approach to dealing with the binge boozing culture. That's why Conservative plans for targeted taxes on those products most closely linked to binge drinking, a ban on alcohol being sold below cost and giving communities much greater say over licences in their area including the right to impose a ‘late night levy' on bars and off-licences staying open late into the night are really needed.

The Government's latest retreat on 24 hour drinking by saying that they would ban alcohol licences between 3-6am underlines that Labour are part of the problem not the solution. Simply focussing on a handful of all night bars won't deal with the serious underlying societal problems linked to alcohol. Half measures have been the hallmark of this Government. We can't go on like this when the costs to society in dealing with excessive alcohol consumption continue to grow.

Teen Drug Treatment

I am deeply disturbed by the news that the Middlegate Lodge drug rehabilitation centre for children is on the brink of closure.  Middlegate is virtually the only centre providing residential rehab services for children and teenagers in the UK.  The Sun recently carried an excellent article highlighting the work of Middlegate and the unique service it offers: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/2840250/Battle-to-keep-open-unit-rehabilitating-addict-children.html

The problem for Middlegate is that it is hardly receiving any referrals as the current funding system fails to promote residential rehabilitation services and an outcome based approach of getting addicts drug free.  Instead the focus is on how may people are in treatment rather than how many people are leaving treatment drug free - the current level completing their treatment free of addiction is currently a meagre 4%.  Where rehab services are provided, the emphasis is simply on community based provision. 

There should be an important place for abstinence based residential rehab within the commissioning framework for drug services.  For Middlegate - the UKs only residential home for children addicted to drink and drugs - to find itself in its current precarious financial position is a sad parable of just how badly the current system is failing.

Dodgy DNA Dossier

 I appeared on Channel 4 News this week highlighting incorrect evidence provided by the Government on DNA retention.  In a letter to the Parliamentary committee considering the Government's Crime and Security Bill, the Home Office submitted a letter providing details of five case studies purporting to highlight that these cases would not have been solved under more limited retention of DNA profiles of those not convicted of an offence.  The problem was I discovered that there were actually four cases rather than five.  The details are set out in the C4 report.

Prison Plan Ditched

It's good news that the Ministry of Justice has called off plans to build a huge new prison at Beam Park on the border with Havering.  The site had already been moved once after the incredible community campaign that saw thousands marching through the streets of Rainham to say no to the Rainham jail plan.  The Government has apparently decided that the cost of flood alleviation on the Beam Park site meant that it was no longer affordable.  The odd thing is that this should have been apparent from the outset.  The area is identified by the Environment Agency as being at risk of flooding. 

My own feeling is that the Government got cold feet knowing how unpopular the prison proposals were in both Rainham and in adjacent Dagenham and knowing that this would be an important issue in the general election campaign just weeks away.  Whatever the reasons, the challenge now is to get on with the regeneration of this part of the Thames Gateway corridor.  The area desperately needs new skilled employment opportunities.  The prison was holding this back.  Now that this uncertainty has finally gone and with the Kingsway International Christian Centre 'mega chuch' appeal having been rejected, the opportunity is there.  For the future of Rainham and the surrounding area, this needs to be taken.

Fire Station Opening

Havering has a new fire station.  I had the pleasure of joining Mayor of London Boris Johnson and other community leaders at the opening of the new fire station in Harold Hill.  It is an impressive state of the art facility and will be a significant addition to local fire services.  In recent years Havering's response times for fire call outs have not been as good as they should be. The new fire officers and resources at Harold Hill will make an important contribution to improving performance across the borough.

Noise Consultation

The public consultation on London City Airport's Noise Reduction Plan closed on Friday.  The plan sets out proposals to mitigate the effects of the use of the airport in the coming years. 

The proposals have become more significant in the light of the decision to allow aircraft movements at London City to increase by 50% and because of changes to the flight routings of departing aircraft across north London.  The next stage is for the proposals to be finalised and submitted to the Secretary of State for approval.

The text of my representation is set out below:

Dear Sir,

Please take this email as a representation in connection with the London City draft Noise Action Plan.

I have voiced concerns about the noise impact and disruption caused by departing aircraft from London City Airport to my constituents in Hornchurch in the London Borough of Havering. I have been particularly concerned by proposals to increase the number of permitted flight movements by 50% from the current level. The flights permission which has been approved by the London Borough of Newham would increase movements from 80,000 to 120,000 movements a year. It is also noticeable that the proportion of jet aircraft has increased markedly.

Aircraft will increasingly be passing overhead Hornchurch at between 2,000 and 3,000 feet with a typical noise level of 57 to 72 dB and potentially up to 77 dB for BAE 146 or RJ aircraft. I believe that this would have a serious adverse and detrimental impact on my constituents and I have already noticed an increase in the last year of the number of complaints received about flight noise. If the enhanced permission is utilised, I believe that the noise disruption and environmental impact would have a highly damaging effect on local residents in Havering. Changes to the flight routings of northerly departures from London City Airport would also appear to magnify the likely effect adding to the concern. You will no doubt be aware that the London boroughs of Waltham Forest, Redbridge and Tower Hamlets have passed resolutions condemning the failure to consult them on the expansion of London City airport, and opposing further expansion at the airport or changes to the flight paths or modes of operation at the airport that which would result in an increase in aircraft noise suffered by local residents.

Accordingly, I do not wish to see any further increase to the number of flight movements permitted under the previous noise action plan unless and until (1) a proper assessment is undertaken of the noise impact of London City Airport on my constituents and (2) confirmation is given that the noise action plan delivers restrictions to ensure that my constituents will not suffer from increased aircraft noise as a consequence of any changes to the operations at the airport. Consultation on the Noise Action Plan should also be extended to take account of the current judicial review application to challenge the decision of the London Borough of Newham. Given the nature of London City Airport, I believe that there need to be robust arrangements applied limiting its operations and mitigating its noise impact.

Yours faithfully,

James Brokenshire

Hornchurch's RAF History

It was a pleasure to attend Sanders Draper School in Hornchurch on Thursday for the presentation of an aircraft propeller to the school. This might sound a little odd, except for the fact that the propeller came from a light plane which flew from RAF Hornchurch and the school itself derives its name from a spitfire pilot who flew from the airfield during the Second World War. 

In March 1943 F/O Sanders Draper guided his stricken aircraft away from the buildings of the old Suttons School to prevent any children from being hurt or killed when his plane crashed. Sanders Draper paid with his life and is buried in the cemetery in the grounds of St Andrew's Church, Hornchurch.

The propeller was donated by the Essex branch of the RAF Aircrew Association and will now sit in the main entrance to the school as a reminder of the sacrifice of F/O Draper and all those who serve in our armed forces. I cannot think of a more fitting place for this piece of aviation history to have been provided with a permanent home.

Drug dependent or not?

When does drug free not mean drug free?  Answer - when it's counted by the Government.

According to information I've obtained through Parliamentary questions, the Government apparently regards drug addicts as being free of dependency even though they may still be taking illicit drugs or be addicted to alcohol. A Parliamentary answer from the Department of Health notes the National Treatment Agency has two categories for counting those deemed to have successfully completed treatment drug free. The National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) counts two categories:

• 'Treatment completed free of dependency (no drug use)'; and
• 'Treatment completed free of dependency (occasional use)'

The 'Treatment completed free of dependency (occasional use)' category means that:

"the client is not misusing heroin or crack, but there may be occasional use of other illicit drugs, for example, cannabis which is judged by the clinician neither to be problematic nor to require treatment".

As regards alcohol, the Department of Health notes that:

"...the NTA would expect that clinicians continue to address alcohol dependence as appropriate if, and when, a client is no longer drug dependent nor monitored through NDTMS."

I think it's astonishing that someone can complete drug treatment apparently free of dependency even though they may be an alcoholic or still taking cannabis or cocaine, provided it's not crack cocaine. Sadly, it underlines just how far adrift the Government has become in getting to grips with the problems of addiction.

It's a failure for society, to which drugs do so much damage and a failure to the individuals, who are clearly not getting the help they need to beat their drug problems.  We can't carry on like this and we need a change of approach with much greater emphasis on abstinence based rehab to get more people drug free - and mean it.

Mephedrone and the ACMD

I received an interesting answer to a recent written Parliamentary Question on the ‘legal high' Mephedrone. The drug is causing significant concern after its mis-use has been linked to several deaths. In order to assess the policy background and the need for a potential change in the law, I thought I would ask the Home Office what assessment they had made of the likely effects on health of the use of mephedrone as a recreational drug and what advice they had received from the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs. The reply that I received was as follows:

"Mephedrone (4-Methylmethcathinone) is a stimulant drug which is structurally related to cathinone and methcathinone, both of which are controlled substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) is currently considering the harms of Mephedrone and related cathinones compounds as a priority of its current review of so called 'legal highs', commissioned by the then Home Secretary earlier this year. The ACMD will report back early next year and their advice will inform our response to these substances. The Government's FRANK campaign provides information on Mephedrone with clear advice about its known harms provided by the Department of Health and our current 'legal highs' information campaign has included warnings about Mephedrone."

The problem is that following the departure of David Nutt as chair of the ACMD and subsequent resignations it is difficult to see how the ACMD will be in a position to respond on this serious issue early in the New Year. Even if it does, given the number of key vacancies on the committee there will be questions over the robustness of the advice it provides. It looks as if we've been left with a big hole in policy making on an issue which needs urgent attention and with no current indication from Ministers as to how this is likely to get fixed.

Binge Drinking Toll

Last week it was revealed that the number of alcohol related hospital admissions is fast approaching one million a year. Last year 945,000 patients were admitted to hospital with a primary or secondary alcohol-related diagnosis.

These latest figures underline the real life consequences of Labour's failed approach to alcohol. Rather than the ‘café culture' Labour Minister's promised when they introduced reforms to the licensing laws, we've ended up with a binge drinking culture with the police and hospital casualty departments bearing the brunt of the consequences of drink fuelled excess. Most police forces admit to fighting a constant battle against alcohol-fuelled antisocial behaviour and disorder, particularly in town and city centres on a Friday and Saturday night.

That's why Conservatives would introduce a package of policies to tackle the problems of binge boozing. We would introduce greater controls over licensing - strengthening the say of communities on alcohol applications in their area. This would be backed up by giving councils the right to set a late night levy on pubs, bars and off-licences opening late into the evening.

Those outlets that decide to stay open late would pay part of the costs of dealing with the aftermath of excessive alcohol consumption. We would also introduce targeted taxes on those products most closely linked to binge boozing and ban below cost sales of alcohol - an approach already adopted by several other European countries. It's time to ‘call time' on Labour's failed approach.

City Airport Debate

The transcript and video of my recent adjournment debate on the impact of increased flights from London City Airport can be found by following the link set out below.

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2009-12-15a.939.0&s=speaker%3A11640#g939.2 

Whilst the debate did not provide answers to a number of the key questions I raised on the process for altering the flight routings from London City Airport and the consultation over the planning approval which will see a significant jump in the number of aircraft movements, it has helped to highlight the wider concerns with the Department for Transport.

Film Club at R J Mitchell School

I went 'back to school' today to find out more about a nationwide after school activity enabling youngsters to enjoy classic and popular films.  RJ Mitchell School in Elm Park has been a member of FILMCLUB since November last year and has given children the chance to watch a variety of titles from Bugsy Malone to WALL.E. 

I got to see some clips from one of my favourite children's movies - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - and discuss the film with the children.  It was great fun to discuss favourite films with them and to hear their reviews as armchair film critics.  Their enthusiasm and interest was palpabale and they all wanted to get involved and contribute in the debate and discussion.

There was a real sense that through the medium of the movies the members of the club were able to let their imaginations roam, to share experiences with each other and to help develop language and literacy skills.  Congratrulations to FILMCLUB and to RJ Mitchell School.  I even got to clap a clapper-board when I presented RJ Mitchell with their "FILMCLUB Star Award"!

New DNA Database Proposals - ECHR Compliant or not?

I spoke in a debate in Parliament today about the National DNA Database and the Home Office's latest proposals to make their retention policy compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights.  It's nearly twelve months since the European Court passed its judgment in the case of S and Marper which ruled that the Government's 'blanket and indiscriminate' approach to DNA retention on an indefinite basis for those never convicted of any crime was unlawful.  After two false starts, Ministers are now proposing that there should be a blanket six year retention period for anyone arrested but not charged or convicted of any crime.  But questions remain as to whether even this latest attempt is legal.

During the debate, I questioned Home Office Minister Alan Campbell about the issue.  The transcript from Hansard is as follows:

"We have several questions on the proposals in the Crime and Security Bill, which will be debated by the House in greater detail at a later date. However, before I finish my speech, I have one question for the Minister on the advice and consideration that the Home Office has taken on the legality of the blanket, indiscriminate, six-year period, which would not take into account any specific crime. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has written a letter to the Council of Europe, stating of even the revised proposals:

"This fails to address the Committee's decision that 6 years for non-serious offences lacks the required level of proportionality. The Commission believes that treating adults in this category the same regardless of type of offence is too indiscriminate and lacks the required level of proportionality. It does not comply with Committee of Ministers Recommendations Rec(92)1."

It is important to put on the record what consideration the Government have given, even in introducing these proposals, to whether they are compliant with the terms of the European convention on human rights. Indeed, I believe that the Home Secretary's statement in November implied that there was some question whether they were compliant. He stated:

"Although the ECHR"-

the European Court of Human Rights-

"suggested that the seriousness of the alleged offence should be a factor in determining what length of retention was proportionate, the best available evidence indicates that the type of offence a person is first arrested for is not a good indicator of the seriousness of offence he might subsequently be arrested for or convicted of in future."-[Official Report, 11 November 2009; Vol. 499, c. 26WS.]

That statement was made by the Home Secretary.  We can, I am sure, have a detailed discussion about this in future, but it would be interesting to hear responses from the Minister on those specific points."

It is interesting to note that I am still awaiting a response from the Minister, as he studiously avoided giving an answer.  It makes you wonder what legal advice the Home Office have received on this sensitive issue?

CCTV Effectiveness

I received an interesting answer to a Parliamentary Question back from the Home Office on Friday questioning the wisdom of the Government's approach on closed circuit TV cameras.  According to the new wisdom CCTV cameras should be concentrated on car park crime and vehicle crime rather than more and more cameras simply for the sake of it.  The text was as follows:

"The most recent and most robust assessment of the international evidence on the impact of CCTV was a 2008 systematic review published by the Campbell Crime and Justice Group. The review was part funded by the Home Office. The review found that CCTV has a modest but statistically significant crime reduction effect; is most effective in reducing crime in car parks; is most effective when targeted at vehicle crimes (largely a function of the successful car park schemes); and is more effective in reducing crime in the UK than in other countries. The review concludes that CCTV is an effective crime prevention measure in public spaces, but, in contrast to its current broad application, should focus only on the specific targets against which it is shown to be most effective."

It seems to question the Government's previous approach based on the 'broad application' that the Home Office now seems to be criticising.  CCTV does have an important use in detecting and prosecuting crime, but as the Government themselves now appear to be admitting, the policy hasn't been thought through on either effectiveness or value for money grounds.  Not bad after around £500 milion of public expenditure.

Rainham Village Fayre

Another successful Rainham Village Christmas Fayre.  Plenty of street stalls.  Carols for the children at St Helen & St Giles Church.  Morris dancing in the centre of the village and lots of entertainment - plus Santa's grotto.  Great fun for the children - and the adults alike. Congratulations to RAVE (Rainham Association for Village Events) and all of the local businesses that took part.

Changing Train Times

Having got used to one timetable on Southeastern trains, everything is about to change.  Southeastern will soon be introducing their new timetable on services into Charing Cross and Cannon Street.  From Bexley, Albany Park and Sidcup into London in the morning the train times don't seem to have altered that much - only by a few minutes.  However after 8.00pm, the weekday half hourly service from Charing Cross to Dartford via Sidcup has shifted from 04 and 34 minutes past the hour to 22 and 52 minutes past the hour just to catch out the unwary.  Late evening services to Bexleyheath and Welling will depart at 25 and 55 minutes past the hour from Charing Cross.  We'll have to wait and see how robust the new scheduling is.  When C2C introduced a new timetable from Fenchurch Street a couple of years back, they had to abandon it after a few days because reliability plummeted.  Fingers crossed on this one.  The fun begins on Monday 13 December.  See www.southeasternrailway.co.uk for more details.

Illuminating Elm Park

Check out some of the pictures from Friday night's 'Elm Park Illuminations' when we marked the start of the festive season in Elm Park.  It was a really fun evening and it was a privilege to join Councillor Roger Ramsay, the Mayor of Havering, in counting down to the big 'switch on' of the Elm Park Christmas Tree.  The weather stayed dry - if a bit cold - but the warmth of feeling and community spirit was palpable.  Just what Christmas should be about!  Many congratulations to Ingrid Brandon, the Elm Park Regeneration Partnership and all of the local shops and businesses which took part.

Sir John Major Dinner

Sir John Major guests at Old Bexley & Sidcup Dinner. 

Former Conservative Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Sir John Major was the guest of honour at last night's Old Bexley & Sidcup Conservative Association Dinner.  James Brokenshire introduced Sir John's speech highlighting how the last Conservative Government had left a golden inheritance which Labour had now squandered.  In a rallying and powerful speech Sir John Major set out his analysis of how difficult the current economic circumstances were and how it will take 20 years to repay the huge debts that the country has now accrued.  The event at the Marriott Hotel in Bexleyheath was attended by nearly 200 people.

LBC MPs Panel

I will be taking part in the LBC 97.3 MPs panel this Wednesday evening between 8-9pm discussing the week's political stories.  You can join in the discussion on 'London's Biggest Conservation' by calling 0845 6060973 or text your comment to 84850.

Queen Mary's Hospital

Uncertainty surrounds the future of Queen Mary's Hospital Sidcup.  The 'Picture of Health' plans for healthcare in Outer South East London called for A&E, maternity and other services to be stripped out of the hosital to make way for planned surgery cases at the site.  I opposed and continue to oppose this plan, but even on the basis of this scaled back 'vision' for QMH, significant questions remain about whether these proposals will come to pass.  I fear that the future of hospital services on the Queen Mary's site could be at risk.  That's why I joined councillors and other Conservative acitivists in Sidcup High Street on Saturday afternoon to ask local residents for their support in the campaign to save QMH by signing our petition. 

Labour have become obsessed with growing the DNA database

This week it was revealed that the number of profiles stored on the DNA database by police forces in England and Wales has topped 10% of the population for the first time.

Whilst there is no argument that DNA is an important forensic tool in detecting and prosecuting crime, Labour have been obsessed with growing the DNA database for the sake of it. Guilt or innocence isn't relevant. In Labour's database state it's simply about expanding the amount of information held by government.

This ‘Big Brother' mindset is evident in the Government's approach of delay, deferral and do nothing in the face of their policy being unlawful. Nearly a year ago it was ruled that the blanket and indiscriminate retention of DNA profiles of people suspected but not convicted of offences breached the European Convention on Human Rights. Yet rather than deal with this serious situation, the Home Office have been dragging their feet.

After a plan to allow decisions on DNA retention by ministerial rubber stamp ran into problems in the Lords, the Government now promise to introduce new proposals in next month's Queen's Speech. The impact of this seemingly positive step is that nothing will happen any time soon. Any new bill would need to complete its legislative process before the general election - a tall order given that it will almost certainly be lumped together with the normal Marsham Street mish-mash of proposals for yet more Home Affairs laws.

We have already announced that a Conservative government would adopt a system where DNA profiles of those not convicted of an offence would only be retained where someone had been charged with a crime of violence or a sexual offence. These DNA profiles would be retained for three years subject to the right to apply to court for a further two year extension. This is a workable approach which balances personal freedom against community safety. The Government could act now. Instead it will continue to treat us all as potential suspects

Environmental Matters at Scargill School

Earlier today (Tuesday) I visited Scargill Infant School in Elm Park for a special assembly to mark the official opening of the school's new solar panels.  It was a fun event and the children had put a great deal of effort into making things out of recycled material as part of their contribution to help the environment.  My favourites were a model of Big Ben made out of plastic bottles and a wind turbine made out of cardboard.  Recycling is a big thing at Scargill - they even have a wormery to turn leftover food into compost!  Congratulations to all involved.