|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
Forum The forum is temporarily unavailable. If you have any enquiries, please contact me. *host* Reply to Debbie Rogers (informed on Thursday, 20 Jan 2005, 11:49) Dear Debbie, I am sorry for the delay in responding. I am sorry that you are still concerned about this phone mast. If you would like to see me about the issue, please feel free to make an appointment for my advice surgery, which takes place in Merton Civic Centre every Friday from 2-7pm. Call Val on 020 7219 4678 to make an appointment. The issue of masts is very complicated, because while a lot of people are anxious about them, without them our mobile phones could not work, and mobiles are very popular. If we reduced the demand on the system by not using our phones, this would tackle the problem, but realistically this will not happen. Also, although I am no expert, it is unclear whether or not the masts are dangerous. Most evidence suggests that they are not, but of course that is not entirely reassuring. The latest research seems to suggest that it is mobile phones themselves, rather than masts, that might have an impact on children's health. Having said that, I have tried to work with mobile phone companies to persuade them to locate their masts sensitively, and if you want to contact me about this particular mast I will ask O2 if there are any alternative locations that might be less intrusive. I am also in correspondence with Reverend Ensor about this. I hope that this helps. If you want to get in touch with me directly about this issue, I will certainly try to help you. Please email mcdonaghs@parliament.uk or write to me at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA - it will be quicker than the Forum. Yours sincerely, Siobhain McDonagh MP informs on Wednesday, 9 Feb 2005, 23:40. *host* Reply to Kate Agrell (asked on Thursday, 20 Jan 2005, 12:19) Dear Kate, It is very good to see that Asda are so interested in our area. Where they have got involved in developing other towns, for instance Sutton, the area has often been transformed for the better, and I hope that something similar will happen in Mitcham, which badly needs investment. At this stage, I am not aware of any specific plans by Asda, and I do not have details about how long the development will take. Unfortunately, as far as I know no firm proposals have been tabled to Merton Council, and Asda have not yet applied for planning permission. When they do, we will know a lot more, and will have a chance to influence their proposals through the Council's Planning Committee. Like you, I was very disappointed that Tesco decided to pull out of Mitcham, but I am very hopeful that Asda's interest will help to revitalise our town. I hope that this is useful. Yours sincerely, Siobhain McDonagh MP informs on Wednesday, 9 Feb 2005, 23:39. *host* Reply to Mrs Lesley Pullen (asked on Saturday, 22 Jan 2005, 21:32) Dear Lesley, I hold advice surgeries every Friday afternoon from 2-7pm in Merton Civic Centre. Call Val on 020 7219 4678 to arrange a personal appointment. Due to Parliamentary protocol, these surgeries can only be for my constituents as I am not allowed to help other MPs' constituents, but I would be happy to meet your daughter as she lives in Mitcham. I hope to see her soon. Yours sincerely, Siobhain McDonagh MP informs on Wednesday, 9 Feb 2005, 23:39. *host* Reply to Bob Grahame (asked on Saturday, 22 Jan 2005, 09:57) & Patricia Woon Dear Patricia and Bob, Thank you for contacting me about the EU’s Food Supplements Directive. You complain it will ban certain vitamin supplements, even though you believe them to be safe and effective. I use some vitamin supplements myself. That is why I am pleased that the Government has ensured that effectively all supplements which were on the market in 2002 can continue to be marketed providing the industry has been able to provide data to demonstrate the safety of the ingredient in question. Clearly, limits for vitamins and minerals in food supplements should be consistent across the EU, but the Government has been strongly arguing that limits should be based on thorough scientific risk assessments, and set at levels which protect public health. Before these new regulations, there were no specific limits on the levels of vitamins or minerals that may be contained in food supplements, nor were there limits on the range of vitamins, minerals or other nutrients they may contain, and this led to some concerns. Britain’s Food Standards Agency therefore set up an Expert Group to provide independent scientific advice about the safety of vitamins and minerals, and this group’s views formed the basis of the UK’s negotiating stance over the Directive. I am happy to say that our health-based arguments led to a final compromise that is almost wholly successful for British consumers. Because most vitamins and minerals used in food supplements include several different sources, all of the vitamins and almost all of the minerals currently on sale in the UK will still be available. I believe that our sensible approach, with safety at its heart, has led to a positive outcome. Conservatives have been trying to stir up anti-European emotions on this issue, but the truth is they showed little interest in the need to balance people’s health with their right to buy supplements when they were in Government and dealing with this issue. Safe and effective products should not be affected, and people like you and I will still be able to take our supplements. I hope that this is helpful. Yours sincerely, Siobhain McDonagh MP informs on Wednesday, 9 Feb 2005, 23:38. *host* Reply to Roni Ling (informed on Thursday, 6 Jan 2005, 15:05) Dear Roni, I am sorry for the delay in responding. I am sorry that you are having problems with your neighbours. If you would like to see me about them, please feel free to make an appointment for my advice surgery, which takes place in Merton Civic Centre every Friday from 2-7pm. Call Val on 020 7219 4678 to make an appointment. If the postcode you left is correct, I was in your road one morning last week, and although I can imagine your frustration about your neighbours, it seemed a friendly and quiet area at the time. It is also in one of the new 'police reassurance' areas of Mitcham and Morden. This means a team of six police are permanently based there, walking local streets, and one of the things they have helped with is reducing anti-social behaviour. Unfortunately, their beat normally ends at about 10pm, when things are usually settling down, although it is possible to extend this till later if there are problems. As you may have seen, following lobbying by MPs like me, the Government has toughened the law on fireworks, and the size of firework people can buy has been reduced. Also, it is no longer legal to sell fireworks to children. The time of day that people can set off fireworks has also restricted, and late night displays are only allowed on a few dates, such as Guy Fawkes night and New Year's Eve. If you want to get in touch with me confidentially about specific complaints about your neighbours, I will certainly try to help you. Please email mcdonaghs@parliament.uk or write to me at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Yours sincerely, Siobhain McDonagh MP informs on Wednesday, 9 Feb 2005, 23:37. *?* local Surgeries Dear Siobhan My daughter currently lives in mitcham and would like to know where she can visit one of your surgeries as she has an issue that she would like to discuss with you and would like your help and advice. Many thanks. yours sincerely Mrs Lesley Pullen. Mrs Lesley Pullen asks on Saturday, 22 Jan 2005, 21:32. *?* Tuesday vote on European Food Supplements Directive Hi! I understand that the debate on Tuesday afternoon is pretty much the last chance to stop this silly and damaging directive being imposed upon the UK. Kate Hoey (Vauxhall) is the lady leading the push to stop this from the Labour side. Please, if you can make it, turn up on Tuesday and give her your support on this motion. Nobody is against sensible regulations to ensure the safety foods and supplements, but this EU Directive has little to do with safety and much to do with the agenda of a few "Big Pharma" corporations to stop potential competitors. They've managed it in a few EU countries. They've tried it in the USA (failed so far) and are now using the EU to impose these damaging rules across Europe. Please don't let them get away with it! On a more selfish note, I know that several very well tested and safe supplements that I myself take to good effect when I'm feeling a bit under the weather will be banned or drastically reduced in strength. I'd therefore be personally very grateful to you if you could support the motion blocking the Directive. Many thanks, Bob. Bob Grahame asks on Saturday, 22 Jan 2005, 09:57. *i* Vitamins I am writing to express my dismay at the attack on freedom to buy vitamin and mineral supplements in this country. I think it is outrageous that drugs like Paracetamol (which can permanently damage the kidneys with just a slight overdose) are freely available over the counter yet our right to use relatively harmless supplements are being attacked. Herbs like Comfrey have been banned already, even although rats were force fed the equivalent of a roomful of the stuff before they came to harm. It just shows the power of the drug companies that they can get rid of the competition without any stand being made by our politicians. Well, I am a life long Labour voter who is not prone to activism but I will not take this lying down. I am dismayed that the government is passing the buck to Europe, if it truly has no say then this is a sad state of affairs. I am generally pro-Europe but this is a deal breaker for me. If the government is not seen make a stand on this then this is one ex-labour voter from now on. I have given this Prime Minister the benefit of the doubt so far, even on Iraq - against my natural instincts, but if this is allowed to become law without a fight then I can see that the government is truly there for the benefit of big business and not the British people. Yours Sincerely P M MCKenna Patricia Woon informs on Friday, 21 Jan 2005, 20:53. *?* Asda's purchase of properties in Majestic Way Hi Siobhain, I have read that Asda has purchased Sommerfield and other properties in Majestic Way Mitcham. Whilst I support the re-development of Mitcham it still has a strong sense of community (of all age groups) so we need to know exactly what the plans are so that the Mitcham residences benefit - rather than being dictated to by large companies! My main concern is that with the recent loss of Tesco we will loose our other supermarket, Sommerfield for an extended time. Another concern is that Majestic Way could be a development mess for years. Will the process be pretty quick once it starts? Will we still have a Boots? Etc., Do you know how the residences going to be kept well informed and involved? Via leaflets through their door maybe? I thought I would ask you as you are very good at responding and sensitive to the locals as I can't find any information on the web and haven't received anything in the post. Many thanks, Kate Agrell Kate Agrell asks on Thursday, 20 Jan 2005, 12:19. *i* more mobile phone masts on St. Olaves Church I don't know whether you received my last email regarding the above proposed installation because my computer is playing up. However, I approached Mr. Austin, one of the labour councillors for the Longthornton Ward in regard to this matter. Whether deliberate or not, he gave me incorrect information regarding this proposed installation which leads me to wonder why he is supporting the church as opposed to the local residents who are very angry about this. Mr. Austin told me that the church would only receive 10 pounds a month for the new installations (not true) and that the vicar had already turned down an application for O2 masts because of local opposition (not true). At the public meeting to discuss the installations, he was quite agressive, and did not sign the petition against it. He did say that he would be interested in how many people signed the petition and asked whether I would attend the surgery on the first Saturday of the month. I will do this quite happily and take with me all the signatures I collect. However, I find his behaviour very unprofessional and could be misconstrued. Debbie Rogers informs on Thursday, 20 Jan 2005, 11:49. *?* Work experience I was wondering if you do Works experience? please email back soon from LJ Sands LJ asks on Friday, 14 Jan 2005, 10:22. *host* Reply to John Goodbody (asked on Wednesday, 8 Dec 2004, 21:29) Dear Mr Goodbody, Thank you for contacting me about efforts to reduce CO2 output. As you may know, the Government is on track to go significantly beyond its Kyoto target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012. Emissions of the 6 main greenhouse gases have fallen by 14% since 1990, and are projected to be 21% below 1990 levels in 2010. However, more needs to be done if we are to achieve our national goal of going far beyond Kyoto and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20%. The UK has launched an extensive and open consultation on our Climate Change Programme, which has already achieved a great deal since its launch in 2000. 2005 is an important year for action on climate change. The Prime Minister has already announced that climate change and Africa will be our two priorities for the UK's G8 Presidency. It will also be an important issue when we hold the EU Presidency. Greater energy efficiency will play a key role in reducing carbon emissions. The Government has announced a £20m package of measures to accelerate the development of energy efficient technology and help the UK move to a low carbon economy. The Government is also committed to sustained investment in public transport, more environmentally friendly travel choices like workplace travel plans and other alternatives to the school run. Cleaner fuels, such as biofuels, and cleaner vehicle technologies, are also being encouraged by the Government. The Secretary of State, Margaret Beckett MP has emphasised the importance of progress on energy by saying "Emissions of the key greenhouse gases have fallen significantly. However, we will not, on the basis of current policies alone, achieve our ambitious 2010 domestic goal of a 20 per cent cut in carbon dioxide emissions. We want to do more. It is vitally important that we engage during the review period with all stakeholders, representing business and industry from all economic sectors, including transport, as well as the public sector, so that we can work together towards achieving our long-term goals." I hope this is useful. Siobhain McDonagh MP informs on Friday, 7 Jan 2005, 03:37. *host* Reply to Ka rl Walbrook (asked on Thursday, 30 Dec 2004, 22:47) Dear Mr Walbrook, Thank you for your email. I do hold occasional receptions in the House of Commons for people I have helped, or who have made contributions to our local community, and am sorry that you were unable to accept my invitation in the past. I will be emailing you separately to let you know about my next one, but unfortunately I cannot promise that John Prescott will be our guest speaker on that occasion as he, like all my MP colleagues, has a very busy schedule. Yours sincerely, Siobhain McDonagh MP informs on Friday, 7 Jan 2005, 03:35. *host* Reply to Priscillia Adegbenle (asked on Monday, 27 Dec 2004, 17:31) Dear Ms Adegbenle, Thank you for your e-mail. I would be happy to pursue this matter but I need you to email me with your Mitcham and Leicester addresses and your date of birth (mcdonaghs@parliament.uk). I am aware that there is some confusion over whether EU citizens are entitled to student support. If you would like to come to my advice surgery which is held every Friday at the Civic Centre in Morden, please call 0207 219 4678 for an appointment. Yours sincerely, Siobhain McDonagh MP informs on Friday, 7 Jan 2005, 03:34. *i* ASB Neighbours Dear Siobhain, I used to live in a lovely street with friendly neighbours. Now the council has moved a bunch of anti-social hooligans into the house opposite and for the last couple of years they have made everyone's lives a misery. This NY day, at 23:00 they released fireworks outside their house on the public grass verge. BTW this is less than 15yards from my house. Would you like the thought of a firework shooting into your car or front window? They shouted abuse when we tried to get them to stop. It was like the WWII bombings, my dog was severely traumatised and although we rang the police they failed to show up to stop this illegal fireworks display. My council tax is obviously being spent elsewhere on issues which I probably couldn't give a damn about. This one family has turned our street into a council estate. What can you do to help? I notice not many replies have been received by those using this forum. If I receive no reply to this I am presuming you are far to busy to care - although you state that ASB is high on your list of concerns. Roni Ling informs on Thursday, 6 Jan 2005, 15:05. *?* Re: Next Visit to House of Commons Siobhian, My name is Karl Walbrook and live in North Mitcham, for over 25 years. I have seen you in several articles and have recieved invitation to visit the House of Commons. I would like to ask if it would be possible to be placed on you next visitors list with an explict interest to meet John Prescott. Ka rl Walbrook asks on Thursday, 30 Dec 2004, 22:47. |
Archive files saved on: 21.01.2005 20:53 16.11.2004 23:04 02.10.2004 22:19 21.06.2004 19:07 04.03.2004 18:48 01.04.2003 22:03 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| © 2001–2008 Siobhain McDonagh MP |