Julie Morgan MP

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Keeping up the pressure

To Business Questions and my first chance to ask an oral question of a Minister in this Parliament. Business Questions happens every Thursday and is when the Leader of the House of Commons announces the business for the coming week. It is also a time when Back Benchers get to ask for a debate on a given subject, although in practice it can become a bit of a forum for a debate on anything and everything going on in the news!

I asked a question on smoking in public places. I think that, although it seems certain that there will be a clause in the Public Health Bill which will give the power to the Welsh Assembly to decide on a smoking policy, it's important to reflect the strength of feeling on the subject at every opportunity:

Julie Morgan (Cardiff, North) (Lab): May I also raise the issue of smoking in public places? Is my right hon. Friend aware that yesterday there was a cross-party vote in the Welsh Assembly in favour of introducing a ban on smoking in all enclosed workplaces and public places with a few exceptions such as prisons and nursing homes following the report of the cross-party working group ably chaired by Val Lloyd, the Assembly Member for Swansea East? I urge my right hon. Friend to introduce a public health Bill in England as soon as possible. Can he assure me that such a Bill will provide an opportunity for the Welsh Assembly to carry out the report's recommendations?

Mr. Hoon: I am aware of the vote, and I recognise, as I told the House earlier, that there is great concern among right hon. and hon. Members about the subject. I can, however, give my hon. Friend the assurance that she is seeking and confirm that such a Bill will be introduced as soon as possible. (Link)

Posted at 02:57 pm by juliemorgan
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Revealed: the ways of Westminster

This column appears in the "Cardiff Post" today.

Many people may wonder just what backbench MPs do in Westminster. They may even wonder what effect we can possibly have.

It was something I had cause to ponder myself this week. Last Thursday, I spoke to the Heads of Medical Schools and the Association of UK University Hospitals about the ways that MPs can influence discussion, policy and legislation in the House of Commons.

And when I sat down to analyse what I do in Westminster, I realised what a range of ways there are for backbench MPs such as myself to influence things. We really do have many opportunities to have our say and to shape the agenda.

We can, for example, choose to speak in the House of Commons Chamber itself and raise local, national or international issues. We can ask oral questions, make speeches or make interventions in other people's speeches. For example, I have recently asked questions about the Women's Workshop in Cardiff and anti-social behaviour orders and made speeches focusing on the Llanishen and Lisvane reservoirs and on Welsh issues raised by the Equality Bill.

As MPs, we can also call for adjournment debates in Westminster Hall - this is a smaller and a more informal forum for debate. MPs request debates on an incredible range of specific issues and I've participated in debates, for example, on poverty in South East Asia.

But if an MP really wants to get the attention of the press and the public, tabling an Early Day Motion (EDM) is often a good way to do so. An EDM is a motion put down asking for a debate on a particular subject. Even though there is rarely time to debate these, they are a good way to draw attention to an issue.

Another way of raising issues is through All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs). These are cross-party groups that hold meetings in particular areas of interest and they provide information to MPs about various topics. For example, I chair the APPG on Children in Wales and we have had meetings on topics like child poverty in Wales, autism and smacking.

If, after all this activity, an MP has any energy left, he or she can request a meeting with a minister to discuss issues, or to lobby them.

Or, if you get lucky, you might get the chance to propose and lead the debate on a Private Member's Bill. Last March, I led the debate on my Bill about banning smoking in public places in Wales.

Posted at 11:01 am by juliemorgan
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Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Don't wait till your eyes go a bit funny ...

At the launch of the Royal National Institute for the Blind's national campaign to raise awareness of glaucoma and blindness. The RNIB will be touring 13 cities (including Cardiff from 17-19 June at St David's shopping centre) to try and raise public awareness of the condition. If undetected, glaucoma can lead to sight loss, so the RNIB is trying to encourage people to have an eye test at least once every two years. Basically, thousands of people are going blind needlessly, which is tragic.

An RNIB survey found that only a very small number of people are aware that they are entitled to free eye tests. If you're over 60, or under 16 (or under 19 and in full-time education), or if you're on income support or a host of other benefits or credits then the test is free. Hopefully more people will take the eye tests up — if it's caught early, glaucoma can be treated.

Posted at 09:30 am by juliemorgan
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Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Preparing for emergencies

Up to Parliament for this week's sitting. Interesting first event of the week as I learn how to perform basic first aid on a very receptive dummy for the Red Cross' European Year of Road Safety. There are thousands of accidents every year on our roads and, shockingly, a third of the people involved in those accidents could be saved if people just applied basic first aid like CPR and putting victims in the recovery position. The Red Cross' campaign encourages people to learn just 5 minutes of first aid — you never know when you may need it.

Private Member's Bill ballot today. This is the Back Benchers' chance to put their name in the hat for the chance to introduce their own law. Twenty names are drawn out, and the Bills are introduced over the course of the Session. Obviously, the higher up in the ballot you are, the more chance you have of your Bill becoming law. Realistically, hardly any do, some because they are opposed by the Government but, more than likely, they run out of time. In the last Session I came fourth and introduced the Smoking in Public Places (Wales) Bill. Now that the Government is doing what I wanted, I'll have to find another subject if I'm lucky enough to come out high in the draw!

Posted at 04:29 pm by juliemorgan
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Monday, May 23, 2005

My next surgeries

I will be holding two surgeries this coming Friday, 27 May:

1. Asda Coryton, 12pm - 1pm

2. Constituency Office (17 Plasnewydd, Whitchurch), 7pm - 8pm

If you have a problem you think I can help with, or would like to raise an issue with me, please do come along. No appointment is necessary.

Posted at 02:32 pm by juliemorgan
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