Parliamentary Observer
Odette Millar

July 2010 Parliamentary Report

The new coalition government wants ideas from the general public on how it could save money. I am sure we could all have an input. If you would like to submit ideas then visit www.spendingchallenge.hm-treasury.gov.uk and do so. Here you can also view ideas already submitted and rate them so that they move up the queue. The best ideas are taken forward into the Spending Review which will be setting out a four year spending plan. The conclusions of the review will be made public in October.
It was good to hear that the Government will be carrying out an independent enquiry regarding U.K. involvement in the treatment of detainees in other countries. The Prime Minister stated, “Our reputation as a country that believes in human rights, justice, fairness and the rule of law – indeed for much of what the Services exist to protect – risks being tarnished.”
Since we are a country which supports Human Rights, it is only fair that we should police ourselves in the delivery of such rights. I was recently priveleged to attend the annual Magna Carta Lecture which was delivered by Terry Waite CBE at Lincoln Cathedral. His subject was “Denial of Liberty” and he was very knowledgeable on the subject of Human Rights as one can imagine, after his experiences. He said that the Magna Carta “provided a basic framework for future developmement and the statement that no free man shall be imprisoned and deprived of his rights except by lawful judgement of his equals.” A full text of his lecture can be downloaded from www.lincolncathedral.org under Magna Carta Lecture.

This is the new symbol for the G20 Summit in Seoul to be held on the 11th and 12th of November 2010. The website is www.seoulsummit.kr and you choose the English option for all the information and agenda. We need to continue to make our government aware of the commitment to end world poverty. We are worried about our own economy in this country, however we should be aware of Global poverty and as Catholic women, mothers,  and grandmothers, we want to live in a world where global wealth is shared out more evenly than at present. That can only be achieved if the better off economies support schemes of fair trade and refuse to do business with countries which engage in child labour or people trafficking. So do write to your M.P. on this matter.
Media Latest: The BBC would like the public to review their radio stations. Please go to   http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust where you can fill in an online survey. Those without access to online services can contact the BBC Trust on 0800 0680 116 for a pack. The consultation runs till 26th August 2010.
Education: Television and the press have given much coverage to the idea of parent-led schools. A concise one page explanation of how to set one up and what is involved can be found on: www.education.gov.uk/freeschools/settingupafreeschool
Have a good and peaceful summer break.                 

Odette Millar
Parliamentary Observer, Media and Education rep. odettemillar@yahoo.co.uk