The Bank Holiday week sees Parliament sit for one less day. It is a quieter week. The main business was to debate the provisions in the Queens’s Speech – and of course our first Prime Ministers Question Time!
My induction programme continued with sessions on the Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act and on how to ask questions in the House. Asking a question is not a straight forward procedure. There are a number of protocols to be followed depending on whether you want an oral answer or a written answer. It is much more complicated than merely “catching the speaker’s eye!”
Parliamentary Interest Groups
We are all invited at the start of a new parliament to a number of interest group meetings to see what they do, and if we are interested get involved. You have to pick and chose because there are quite a few of them! This week I went to a meeting arranged by the Personal Finance Education Group.
The group’s mission is to provide education in personal finances to children in schools – something which I thoroughly support. They provide information packs and advice to teachers and have managed to help a very large number of children already. This is certainly something I will be promoting locally.
Constituency Work
The Bank Holiday weekend is always very busy. After four surgeries in Kingskerswell, Holcombe, Teignmouth and Dawlish, I had the very great pleasure of taking part in the Blessing of the Boats which opened the Teignmouth Back Beach Festival. It was a bit wet but a very moving ceremony. I then went on to visit the Teignmouth Arts Society Spring Exhibition and was delighted to see such a lot of local talent.
Carnival Time
It’s carnival season! On Sunday I was delighted to be at the Crowning of the Carnival Queen on the Lawn in Dawlish and to have the chance to meet so many of you. On Monday I was also able to join a number of you to watch the crowning of the Carnival Queen in Shaldon – followed by a quick tour of your stalls ending up with a small purchase of a delightful Shaldon Wildlife Trust teddy bear!
Then of course where else to be but the Ram Roast in Kingsteignton for lunch on a Bank Holiday Monday! The weather was glorious -but even with the extra ram this year, there was still a queue for more!
…and in the Pub
And this weekend saw the first of my “Pub Meetings” – and the Union Inn in Denbury was a great place to start. I had my ear suitably bent on a number of key issues. That is exactly how it should be. If I don’t know what you think, I can’t represent you!
Surgeries and Getting in Touch
The next surgeries will be on Friday 11th June at…..and on Saturday 12th June at…… To get in touch please do call me on 01626 368277 or in Westminster on 0207 219 3000. My mobile is 07850 005222 and my email isannemarie.morris.mp@parliament.uk