Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con): Given the recent unemployment figures, can we have a further debate on High Speed 2 and how it will directly create tens of thousands of jobs in the midlands and the north, solve the capacity challenge of the west coast main line and help equip our economy to compete in the 21st century?

Graham has written to Cheshire West & Chester Council on behalf of hundreds of local residents in Hartford and the surrounding area who have contacted him with their objections to two planning applications for large-scale residential development. The application references are 11/05805/OUT (Land South of Greenbank Wood, School Lane, Hartford) and 11/05765/OUT (Grange Farm, 260 Chester Road, Hartford).

The deadline for comments and objections for the applications is Tuesday 31st January. You can find out more information on the Hartford Joint Action Group website at www.lethartforddecide.org.uk.

Graham has pledged to support the national charity Beating Bowel Cancer to save lives from the UK’s second biggest cancer killer.

He attended Beating Bowel Cancer’s annual Be Loud Be Clear parliamentary reception last week where he found out the latest bowel cancer figures for his local area. In Weaver Vale fewer people are diagnosed with bowel cancer and more people die from the disease than the national average* .

Graham has joined volunteers from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Bayer and Novo Nordisk to raise awareness of the increasing prevalence of diabetes in the UK.  He attended a diabetes testing event in Parliament following on from the success of World Diabetes Day held last November.

Thursday 26th January 2012

The House of Commons' administration committee met earlier this week to discuss proposals to boost Westminster's coffers. The one that garnered the most support, I understand, came from Graham Evans, Conservative MP for Weaver Vale in Cheshire, who suggested hiring out the Commons for children's birthday parties.

Feel free here to supply your own punchline about how Prime Minister's Question Time already invariably resembles one.

Last week, Graham took part in the Bupa ‘Get Moving’ challenge to raise awareness of the benefits of taking regular exercise and was in with a chance of winning £500 of sports equipment for their local school or sports club.

Organised by Bupa in partnership with MEND, the Youth Sport Trust and Diabetes UK, Graham joined other Members of Parliament on the walk, which took in some of London’s most famous landmarks.

 

Graham has welcomed the news of a 10-year deal between Royal Mail and the Post Office, securing the future of services without resorting to the failed closures programme which dominated Labour’s time in government.

The deal follows the Government’s other measures to protect Post Office services including additional funding, new local and national contracts, a successful piloting scheme to transform many local post offices and improvements in the services offered.

Graham has, once again, run the Helsby Four Villages Half Marathon.

He is raising money for Halton Haven Hospice in Runcorn, which provides first class care for many in the region. If you wish to donate, please do so via their website here.

Graham has pledged his support for a campaign to protect children and young people by putting tobacco in plain, standardised packaging.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) are urging the government to put all cigarettes in plain packs with no attractive colours. Evidence shows young people find current packaging more attractive and the health warnings have less impact than on plain packs.

Saturday 21st January 2012
Letters to the Editor, The Spectator

Sir,

William Astor ('Signal failure', 14 January) writes that High Speed 2 is supported only by 'northern Labour MPs who relish the thought of the beauty of the Chilterns being destroyed'. He seems to have missed the MPs from across the House of Commons who joined forces this week to welcome the project.

Links between the north and the south of our nation are of vital importance.