MEP supports tougher line on Animal Testing

Malcolm Harbour, Conservative MEP for the West Midlands has welcomed new rules on animal testing voted through the European Parliament.

The new rules seek to reinforce and strengthen animal welfare legislation, and at the same time encourage the phasing out of animal testing as new technologies come forward. The report also recognises the vital contribution that animal testing makes to human health.

Speaking after the vote in which he supported the compromise, Mr Harbour said: "The EU has come forward with a common sense compromise. A blanket ban on animal testing that was put forward by some is simply not realistic at the moment.

"Instead we have come forward with a balanced package that increases the protection of animals in labs whilst ensuring that testing can still continue under tighter regulation. This further safeguards animal welfare until new developing technologies can replace animal testing altogether.

“Above all, our compromise protects human health and allows vital, and in some cases, life saving, research to continue"

Sutton Coldfield School Debaters visit Parliament to hone debating skills

Andrew Mitchell MP has once again arranged for the participants of the Sutton Coldfield Inter-Schools Debating Competition to visit Parliament.

All 16 students who took part in the 2010 competition (which took place in March of this year), and two teachers, travelled by train from Sutton Coldfield to Westminster last Tuesday where they took a tour of the Houses of Parliament and watched Parliamentary Questions in the House of Commons.

It was an opportunity for the students to see how MPs undertake debates in the Commons as well as learn about the history of the UK Parliament.

The students were also treated to a lunch and a talk from Christopher Pincher MP, who was recently elected to represent the nearby constituency of Tamworth.

Speaking about the visit, Andrew Mitchell MP said, “It was a pleasure to have the Sutton Coldfield debaters down to Westminster again this year. I hope they enjoyed their trip and got to learn a bit more about how we hold debates here in Parliament.

“Huge thanks must go to Birmingham Metropolitan College – without whose sponsorship this visit would not have been possible – as well as Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls who hosted the 2010 Competition and helped to organise this trip.”

Malcolm Harbour MEP welcomes new Range Rover

Malcolm Harbour, West Midlands Conservative MEP has welcomed the unveiling of the new Range Rover – the Evoque. Being involved in the West Midlands automotive industry for many years Mr Harbour said: “It is great to see Jaguar Land Rover release another world beating product, and at the same time showing the great future and potential that this car manufacturer has.

“The company has battled through very difficult times over recent months so it is now good to see positive news coming from the business.

“Despite the Evoque being manufactured at Halewood, many West Midlands automotive parts manufacturers are set to benefit from this new model, which of course is excellent news across the industry.

“It is very fitting that as the Range Rover celebrates its fortieth year, we see this new and exciting model launch and I wish Jaguar Land Rover forty more successful years with the Evoque.”

Local MPs unite to support Bedworth fire station

Conservative MPs Dan Byles (North Warwickshire & Bedworth) and Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) are standing shoulder to shoulder in support of Bedworth Fire Station.

The future of Bedworth Fire Station remains in doubt as a result of a consultation exercise in the county following advice from the Chief Fire Officer that could lead to the station being closed as part of a wider reorganisation of Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service.

Tory MPs Dan and Marcus were vocal in their support for Bedworth Fire Station throughout the consultation last year, and both pledged during the general election campaign to fight to keep the station open. Now they are honouring that pledge with a hard hitting message to the County Council, who must decide the future of the station in the next few months.

Dan and Marcus have called on County Councillors to listen to the concerns of local people, to reject the Chief Fire Officer’s proposal, and to keep Bedworth Fire Station open. Both MPs have sought and held one to one meetings in recent weeks with leader of the council Alan Farnell, and have put their views to him firmly.

Bedworth MP Dan Byles said: "The people of Bedworth made their feelings very clear throughout the public consultation – they don’t want to see their fire station close, and neither do I. I am not opposed in principle to reforming the emergency services when required, but this change is not needed and not wanted.

"I was very grateful to the leader of the County Council, Cllr Alan Farnell, for coming to Bedworth to personally chair the public meeting on this issue last year after I warned him that the people of Bedworth were not not happy. Alan heard for himself the strength of feeling locally, and he gave his pledge then that no decision had been taken and that the results of the consultation would be heeded. I am calling on him to keep that pledge. A growing town the size of Bedworth needs its own fire station. All political parties locally are united on this issue, and I will keep up the pressure until we know that the fire station is safe."

Marcus Jones, who represents Nuneaton, added: "I have maintained throughout the consultation that in the absence of a robust business case and comprehensive plan for a new joint station between Nuneaton and Bedworth – I could not support the closure of Bedworth Fire Station under any circumstances, and my position has not changed. The County Council have been right to look at the response to the consultation very carefully, we are now coming to the end of that process. We have been served very well over the years by having separate stations for the two towns of Nuneaton and Bedworth and I will be calling on the County Council to maintain that position and keep Bedworth Fire Station open"

Jesse Norman judges three-legged race world record attempt

South Herefordshire’s new Conservative MP Jesse Norman was called on this weekend for a tough early assignment–judging a bid for the world’s largest three-legged race at the Much Birch Primary School Family Fun Day.

The school was taking part alongside dozens of other schools across the country in a bid to enter the Guinness Book of World Records, as part of National Family Week. More than 50 pupils, parents and teachers took part in the 200 metre race, which was filmed for the record by WyeNot.com.

Commenting afterwards Jesse said "It’s an honour to be asked to be an official Guinness world record judge for this race, especially since the rulebook is quite fearsome!

"But what a tremendous and hilarious event. Many congratulations to Colin Howard and Caroline Owens, and all the others involved in making this such a special day."

Dan Byles MP Says New Alcohol Rules Will Help Protect Pubs And Prevent Anti Social Behaviour

The new MP for North Warwickshire & Bedworth, Dan Byles, has singled out measures in the Queen’s Speech over alcohol pricing and licencing as being of particular welcome for his constituency.

The new measures, which have the backing of the British Beer & Pub Association and of Tesco chief Sir Terry Leahy, include:

• Banning the sale of alcohol below cost price
• Reviewing alcohol taxation to tackle binge drinking whilst not unfairly penalising responsible drinkers
• Introducing stronger powers for police and local authorities to remove or refuse to give licences to problem premises
• Providing police and local authorities with the power to shut down permanently any shop or bar found persistently to be selling alcohol to children
• Enabling local councils to charge more for licences to pay for more police
• Increasing the maximum fine for selling alcohol to children to £20,000

Dan said: “Many local people are deeply concerned about antisocial behaviour fuelled by cheap supermarket-bought alcohol. I am delighted to see this being addressed, and to see major supermarket chains like Tesco supporting the measures.

“But most importantly the issue of underage children buying alcohol is one that has been raised with me time and again, particularly in the villages where there are few leisure and sports facilities for young people. The current licencing laws need to be tightened, and these measures will go a long way towards helping the problem. Any establishment caught repeatedly selling alcohol to children should be shut down, and this is an issue I will be watching very closely.

“Finally, the local British pub has been under threat for a long time. Too many pubs are closing every week because they can’t compete with supermarkets selling alcohol below cost price. These measures will help to protect local pubs, which are a vital part of our heritage and in rural areas are often the centre of community life.”

Andrew Mitchell MP d elivers on promise f or Sutton’s Equitabl e Life pensioners

Following years of battling for fair treatment and compensation on behalf of Sutton Coldfield’s Equitable Life pensioners, Andrew Mitchell MP has today written to all those constituents who contacted him after they were affected by the fiasco to tell them that the new Government will now make payments in accordance with the Ombudsman’s original recommendations.

In his letter to constituents Andrew says: “As you are aware I strongly believe it is time for Equitable Life’s policyholders to receive the justice they deserve. The last government failed all those who have suffered from the Equitable Life debacle and sought at every stage of the process to block, frustrate and delay justice.

“The new Government has made clear that it will now implement the Ombudsman’s recommendation to make fair and transparent payments to Equitable Life policy holders, through an independent payment scheme, for their relative loss as a consequence of regulatory failure.”
In her speech to Parliament on Tuesday (25 May) the Queen confirmed the Government’s plans to introduce legislation to start repaying Equitable Life policyholders saying: “Legislation will reform the framework for financial services Regulation and implement the Government’s commitment to make fair and transparent payments to Equitable Life policyholders.”

Andrew Mitchell MP added, “I am extremely pleased that we are finally able to put into action the Ombudsman’s recommendations – recommendations that were originally put to the House in July 2008 and which the previous Labour government disgracefully ignored.”

Dan Byles MP Welcome s ‘Strong Measures’ In Queen’s Speech

Dan Byles, the ex-soldier and newly elected Member of Parliament for North Warwickshire & Bedworth, has welcomed what he described as a series of ‘strong measures’ in the Queen’s Speech.

Her Majesty unveiled the new Coalition Government’s programme for the coming year by announcing a series of proposed new laws which gave us the first indications of the priorities of the new Government for their first year in office.

Dan Byles, who defeated the previous Labour MP Mike O’Brien by a nail-biting 54 votes after three counts, is in London this week in his new role representing the people of North Warwickshire & Bedworth on the national stage.

Dan said: “I am very pleased that the Queen’s Speech contained some very strong and necessary measures designed to put the country back on its feet, after the last Government literally ran out of money and left us virtually bankrupt.

“But I am also pleased to see some concrete measures that will bring a real benefit to local people.

“Firstly, we saw strong action to deal with the deficit. There is no money left, so measures to bring the country’s terrifying debt under control are essential.

“Secondly, we saw measures to simplify to tax and benefits system to make them fairer. This was a major issue on the doorstep during the election and I am pleased to see David Cameron getting to grips with it straight away. I am particularly pleased to see that Equitable Life Policyholders will at last be treated fairly.

“Non-EU immigration will be curbed, with clear limits on the numbers who can come to the UK to work, and the unwanted and unnecessary ID cards system will be scrapped.

“Locally, I am particularly delighted to see that we have honoured our pledge to sweep away the central and top down housing targets. Decisions on housing and other planning issues will be decided locally in accordance with local needs – a move that is long overdue and will lift the threat to our local greenbelt from the last Government’s unsustainable housing targets.

“This is a good programme that will bring some real benefits to local people, and is an example of the new Coalition Government working together for the good of the country, rather than in a narrow Party interest.”

Andrew Mitchell is straight back to work in Sutton Coldfield

Following his appointment to the Cabinet as Secretary of State for International Development, Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell has returned to his constituency to tackle the issues important to local residents and the town.

On top of his agenda was a meeting with the town centre manager Mike Bushell, who was appointed in January of this year, to talk about Sutton Coldfield’s progress and development.

Andrew Mitchell also met with his supporters and campaigners from the recent General Election.

He said: "I am so grateful to all of those who worked so hard on my campaign to deliver this outstanding result with a majority of over 17,000 votes. And I am grateful also to all those who voted for me in the General Election.

"I pledge to work hard for all of my constituents regardless of their political beliefs."

Andrew Mitchell named as new Secretary of State for International Development

Prime Minister David Cameron has named Andrew Mitchell, Conservative MP for Sutton Coldfield, as the new Secretary of State for International Development.