As well as handling correspondence and emails from constituents, I have carried out a number of meetings, committees and events throughout the week, as seen below:
Monday 16th January:
I began my week with a Department for Transport Grid Meeting, here we discussed multiple topics regarding Britain’s transport infrastructure.
My role as Parliamentary Private Secretary covers a multitude of responsibilities, as such I had the honour to meet with Mr David Lin, the new Taiwanese Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Taiwan and the United Kingdom work in close collaboration in the transport sector with events such as the annual railway forum, which explores more transport opportunities to progress between the UK and Taiwan.
In the evening I facilitated a tea room surgery in my role as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Secretary of State for Transport. This is where I meet with a number of MPs who wish to meet with the Secretary of State to raise concerns about transportation in their constituencies.
Tuesday 17th January:
On Tuesday I met with Sir Peter Hendy, Chairman of Network Rail, to discuss the future of Britain’s physical rail infrastructure.
Wednesday 18th January:
My Wednesday began by meeting with Mr Malcolm Brown - Chief Executive Officer of Angel Trains. Mr Brown and I talked over the condition of Britain’s current railway rolling stock and what future investment lies ahead. Angel Trains is the UK’s largest Rolling Stock Owning Company and act as a bridge between the operational railways and investors. This is done by attracting the necessary finance to enhance the UK’s rolling stock.
Later in the morning whilst attending Scotland Office Questions I asked the Rt Hon David Mundell MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, “Does my right hon. Friend agree that we need to hear less from the Scottish Government about the powers they want and more about how they are going to use the powers we have given them?” If you wish to read the full exchange you can do so via the following link: Scotland Office Questions.
By midday I was meeting with Mr Robert Music – Chief Executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust. Here we discussed screening rates in the Constituency, which is of significant interest to me as I have long campaigned for an increase in HPV vaccinations to combat HPV related cancers. The Trust is currently Britain’s only charity dedicated to women affected by cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities, whose vision is a future where cervical cancer is a thing of the past.
Thursday 19th January:
On Thursday I met with Sir David Sloman, the Chief Executive of the Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust. During our meeting we discussed the proposed breast screening service at the Royal Free Hospital and the current four hour Accident and Emergency target.
Friday 20th January:
Friday morning saw me in the House of Commons for two Private Members Bills debates one by Caroline Lucas MP on Britain’s railways and the other proposed by John Glenn MP on Merchant Shipping.