News

Valerie met with representatives of the Royal Academy of Engineering on 6 September 2012 at the House of Commons.   

The Government made a  Statement outlining proposals to change a number of planning rules.  Valerie asked the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to confirm whether planning powers are being taken away from local authorities and what the Government’s position is regarding the right to light and the right to amenities.

On Tuesday 4 September 2012 the House of Commons Health Select Committee, of which Valerie is a member, heard evidence from the General Medical Council (GMC) at the annual accountability hearing.

At Education Questions on 3 September 2012 Valerie asked the Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, to confirm that the safeguards of the Hague convention will still apply to inter-country adoptions, and that the adoption panels’ functions will not be watered down when the adoption process is speeded up.

Valerie is raising awareness among residents of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning from barbecues following a number of recent tragic cases in which people have lost their lives.