My week began by meeting representatives from the Post Office to discuss their branch in East Finchley. This was just before another meeting with a British based business regarding Kazakhstan.
On Tuesday morning I attended a breakfast with a small number of colleagues and the CEO of Barclays to discuss lending to small business. Shortly after, I met with Barnet’s Deputy Lieutenant to discuss the Diamond Jubilee Commemorations in Barnet. I then dashed over to meet representatives from the Party to discuss campaigning and community engagement. Lunch was spent with a very interesting constituent who is a publisher. We discussed a number of issues relating to her line of work. Soon after I had a discussion with representatives from the airline industry. Tuesday concluded with an event with my colleague Andrew Rosindell MP attended by Finchley and Golders Green Conservatives.
Wednesday was another busy day which commenced with a committee on the Misuse of Drugs Act. I then discussed the Finance Bill with other MPs which amongst other things will tackle tax evasion, which is high on the political agenda at the moment. Then there was of course, Prime Minister’s Questions where Ed Miliband gave a weak performance. Later that evening I went to a briefing with the Secretary of State for Justice, Chris Grayling to discuss legal aid. Here I raised concerns over access to a defendant’s preferred lawyer and the performance of small law firms in the context of the reforms.
The following day, I contributed to the debate on translation services provided to the Ministry of Justice, as a constituent has contacted me over the workings of a new contract tendered by the Government. Later on, the Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office, Francis Maude and I discussed equalities issues. As mentioned in a previous Weekly Round Up, I have been conducting work into money transfer businesses, of which many constituents use. Many have had their operations unfairly suspended by the banks. I arranged for Sajid Javid, a Treasury Minister, to meet with affected constituents and myself to raise their concerns. I also raised this issue when I met Barclays CEO earlier in the week. That evening I returned to the constituency to speak on Great War Commemoration at an event organised by West Finchley Residents Association.
Friday was a productive day spent meeting constituents. The Mobile Surgery was out in East Finchley between 9:30 and 11 am where I was able to take up the concerns of a number of constituents. I subsequently hosted a number of surgery appointments at my constituency office with many varied issues being raised. This was followed by a very enjoyable weekend spent at the East Finchley Festival on Sunday which pleasingly was well attended. I then headed over to the Garden Suburb for their Fun Day in Central Square where there was an excellent picnic and a great atmosphere.
In all, a varied and interesting week.