In some ways, I am afraid that it hasn't been the happiest of starts to the New Year. Already, four local issues have landed with a thump on my desk. 

First, the trains seem to be up the spout again, if my mail bag is anything to go by. I had hoped the new timetable would make a difference, but that is only part of the solutions. Lack of train drivers, guards, and rolling stock, as well as engineering delays, have all added to the problems. So I am back in regular correspondence with First Great Western.

Second, the beginning of the year sees the announcement of Post Office closures around the country. With plans to close 2,500, you can be sure that some of our local Post Offices will be hit. If your Post Office is hit, please let me know and write to me explaining how important it is to you, so I can make the best representations possible.

Third, I am not sure how much joy we will get from the Environment Agency on flood defences, following the chaos from last year. If January was anything to go by, flooding looks like it will become increasingly common, but the EA does not seem to have the money to carry out engineering works. It has said, however, that it will oppose building on the flood plain, which is one piece of good news.

Finally, the new year came with the news of voluntary redundancies being sought at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Harwell. The lab is run by the Science and Technology Facilities Council, which has an £80 million deficit. It is a ludicrous position to be in, to be sacking some of the country's top scientists for what is, in Government terms, a very small amount of money. I held a debate on the subject and will be pressing the Government very hard to sort out this mess.

Parliament has been unusually lively. In January, we debated proposals to abolish the crime of blasphemy, which have been put on hold while the Government consults the Church of England. I support proposals to abolish this law, which has not been used for almost a century. We also debated changing the law to allow householders greater protection when they use force against burglars, gay hate crime, and we ran out of time before we could get on to prostitution! Such is the racy life of your MP! 

You can contact me at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, on 0207 219 6350 or at vaizeye@parliament.uk

Up Coming Surgeries

8 February 2008, Didcot, King Alfred Drive Community Centre, 5:30 - 7 pm

22 February 2008, Grove, Old Mill Hall, Old School Lane, 5:30 – 7pm

7 March 2008, Wantage Civic Hall, Waylands Room from 5:30 -7pm