Letter from Parliament

One of the most important topics discussed in Parliament this week has been the legislation to nationalise Northern Rock. This has been a long and tortuous process which has so far cost the taxpayer £100 billion in loans and millions in fees to lawyers and firms advising both the government and the two private consortiums that bid to run the bank.

For New Labour to nationalise anything has been a painful process which they have striven at all costs to avoid. This dithering and delay has cost us the taxpayer but more importantly cost Britain's reputation as a world financial centre.

It has also damaged the reputation of both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor. As Vince Cable MP, our Shadow Chancellor who visited our Town last year, said at the start of the debate it is tempting to say I told you so.

Despite this I voted with the Government at all stages including third reading when my colleagues abstained following revelations that the most profitable sections of the bank had been hived off to a secret off- shore account known as "Granite". Once again the Government has been very secretive about the whole process.

I was delighted last week when 'Sport for All' honoured Councillor Mohammad Sharif with their 'Community Champion' award. I've known Sharif for nearly thirty years and he has always been a very loyal worker for our community. He has worked hard to deliver real benefits to the residents of the Milkstone and Deeplish area.

Last Monday, prior to traveling to Bangladesh I met both representatives from the Council, the Environment Agency and local people to discuss the flooding which hit Rochdale at the end of January. This was prior to my debate in Parliament last Wednesday. Having the debate secured what I wanted to happen - getting action on some long standing problems like Mellor Street/Bury Road, Cornfield Street, Milnrow, Calder Avenue in Littleborough and many others. I was delighted when Council Leader Alan Taylor, for example, told me that as a result of these problems the Council had agreed to clean out every gully in the borough in the next twelve months. I am asking you to let me know your priorities for cleaning either by calling my office on 712186 or emailing me at: paul@paulrowen.co.uk

My visit to Bangladesh was organised by former Councillor Kermat Ahmed. He did a brilliant job in arranging for me to meet people. I particularly enjoyed visiting Sylhet where many Bangladeshis in Rochdale come from. I was also very moved by the devastation caused by Cyclone 'Sidr' but also impressed by the resilience of the people.

I've also recently met Craig McAteer, the Chief Executive of the Learning for Life Trust - the Trust that delivers our sport and cultural services. From a very low base we are now starting to deliver in both culture and leisure.

The gyms for young people like the one opened by our Mayor Councillor Peter Evans are an excellent example of how to get more people involved in sport and exercise.

I was delighted also that Rochdale Brass Band ably led by the wonderful Eric Landon came away with the top prize at the National Championships in Blackpool. Many years ago as a young Councillor, I attended a similar competition along with Ann McNicholas and others. The Rochdale Music Service do an excellent job - I was also pleased to see a top 5 placing for our Brass Band from Wardle High. Our young people are carrying on Rochdale's great musical tradition that goes back decades in Rochdale and I am immensely proud.

This weekend I have a major conference on disabilities organised by my Agent David Hennigan at the Richmond Hall as well as a dinner in Manchester with our new party leader Nick Clegg MP. This will be the first time he has visited our area since his election as new party leader in December.

This week I have also completed the final stages of the Pensions Bill as well as accepting speaking engagements on Kashmir at Leicester University and the Occupational Health Specialist conference in Telford. Both engagements illustrate the wide area of issues which MPs are expected to cover.

Next Tuesday should hopefully see a vote on a Liberal Democrat amendment on an "in/out" referendum on our membership of the European Union. I believe it is time for the British people to decide whether we should remain in Europe. This is different but more important than just voting on the Lisbon treaty. There is also a very important debate on Child Poverty which I am hoping to speak on.