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HOMELESSNESS REDUCTION BILL
I had the very good fortune of being drawn in second place in the Private Members Bill ballot, which is a system to allow backbench MPs a unique chance to try and put through their own legislation, Since then I have received numerous suggestions from a range of sources on what to do.
With the backing of local housing charities including FirmFoundation and the Harrow Churches Housing Association, I have decided to work in partnership with national homelessness charity, Crisis, to put forward a Homelessness Reduction Bill, in order to tackle this extremely important issue, which affects so many people across the UK and in Harrow too.

During the Department for Community and Local Government Committee’s recent inquiry into homelessness, I heard disturbing first-hand accounts from people who’d been forced to sleep on the streets because they couldn’t get the help they needed. I strongly believe we cannot stand by and allow this to continue so I hope that my Bill will be a major step forward in tackling homelessness.
 
 
Since my last edition, I have continued my programme of street surgeries all around the constituency and I have been doing my part as your representative in Westminster.

Here are a few of the events and engagements I have taken part in recently:

 
DEMOCRACY FORUM LUNCH
The Democracy Forum is a platform for the cross-sharing of ideas, concerns and to hold discussions on prominent democracies in the world. I was delighted to be asked to attend to discuss issues related to India, the largest democracy, and to welcome the new Indian High Commissioner, His Excellency Navtej Sarna, to his post.
AN INTERVIEW WITH CUT FILMS
I enjoyed meeting with representatives from Smart Ungdom and No Excuse Slovenia as part of the Cut Films campaign to help prevent young people from taking up smoking. This is a subject very close to my heart, as Chair of the APPG Smoking and Health. We discussed preventative measures and smoking cessation services.
HARROW COLLEGE AND SPORTS ENGLAND DISCUSSION
I facilitated a meeting between the Principal of Harrow College, Pat Carvalho, and Sports England regards the future of its playing field. Sports England is currently working getting more young people into activity and sports so it was useful to discuss how best they can support the college going forward.
AN EVENING WITH MOHAN BABU
I hosted an event to welcome the legendary South Indian actor Mohan Babu and his family to Parliament, to celebrate 40 years of his contribution to arts and cinema, in partnership with Asian Lite Magazine. Mohan Babu is a recipient of one of the highest honours in India, the Padmashree.

WELCOMING HIS HOLINESS SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR TO LONDON
I had the privilege of welcoming His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation, teacher and leader in humanitarian projects, to the UK and to receive his blessings during his recent visit to London. I was also invited to hear him speak at the Royal Albert Hall and experience his guided meditation.
 

UEFA EUROS 2016 CHARITY BET
I was invited to place a free bet on the Euros at a local William Hill shop and to discuss the work of the local team to promote responsible gambling. Unfortunately, my bet wasn't a successful one, with England knocked out of the contest by Iceland soon after!
SOCIETY SUNDAY AT STANMORE BAPTIST CHURCH
I was very happy to join in with the Society Sunday celebrations held at Stanmore Baptist Church, held in partnership with Belmont Synagogue and the Shia Islamic Centre, in honour of the life and service of HM The Queen on her official 90th birthday. 
3rd ANNUAL MATA KHEERBHAWANI PUJA
Three years ago, the tradition of celebrating Mata Kheerbhawani puja was started in the UK by the Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Society. This year, the Kheerbhawani puja and mela was at the International Sidhashram Centre in Harrow and I was delighted to be invited as Guest of Honour.
ST BERNADETTE'S SCHOOL COUNCIL
I visited the newly Academised St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School for a Q&A with the school council. After discussing a range of topics including the local environment and education policy, I met Headteacher David O'Farrell and the Chair of Governors, Pam Singh, to discuss their programme to support a high standard of attainment in pupils.

NCRI 'FREE IRAN' RALLY 2016
I paid a visit to Paris to attend the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) annual Free Iran rally. Thousands of Iranian ex-pats were in attendance, supporting calls for a democratically elected Government in Iran, as well as drawing attention to the human rights abuses of the current regime to press for freedom.
Iran has the highest per capita execution rate in the world and is suffering from severe economic crisis under the current theocratic regime. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the NCRI, led the conference, which featured addresses from notable speakers from across the world in support of freedom in the region.
 
CELEBRATING RAMADAN IFTAR
The KSIMC of London is an Islamic community, which has been based at the centre on Wood Lane in Stanmore for more than 30 years. I was honoured to join KSIMC for their Ramadan “iftar”, a gathering to reiterate the moral duty of those of Muslim faith to share their bounties and blessings with others. 
PARK HIGH SCHOOL PUBLIC SPEAKING CLUB
Park High School runs a Public Speaking Club for pupils interested in improving their confidence and oral communication and I was pleased meet them in Parliament. The pupils had a chance to quiz me with a Q&A session on all subjects, including topical issues of the day, and then went on a guided tour.

MULLIVAIKAL REMEMBRANCE DAY
I joined members of the Tamil Community outside the MoD for Mullivaikal Remembrance Day to speak in commemoration of all those who died during the armed conflict between the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in May 2009. 

BENTLEY PRIORY GALA DINNER
This year marked 10 Years of The Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust and I was delighted to attend their Gala Dinner in celebration of the milestone. I previously worked closely with Sir Brian Burridge (pictured below) to secure a £1 million fund with which to upgrade and improve Bentley Priory Museum and to ensure that its educational value is available to as many school age visitors as possible, so I was particularly pleased to be there to witness the amazing Spitfire TR9s display that was put on for guests.
 
THE HEATHER MURGETT INTERNATIONAL FOOD AND COSTUME DAY
The Inclusion and Innovation Department of Bentley Wood High School organised an international food and costume day in recognition of Refugee Week and I was happy to attend to support the initiative. Traditional food from regions across the world was served to the community. 
2nd INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA
After helping to launch the 1st International Day of Yoga last year at Alexandra Palace and in Parliament, I participated in the celebrations this year starting with the programme hosted by the High Commission of India at Potters’ Field Park near London Bridge that saw nearly 10,000 people join in various yoga sessions held through the day.
After speaking to Yoga novices and enthusiasts at the programme about the value of Yoga and Ayurveda in overall well-being of individuals, I joined His Excellency High Commissioner of India, Mr. Navtej Sarna in trying out some Yoga exercises myself. 
 

SEEKING BRIDGE PLAYERS
I am Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Bridge, which operates in partnership with the English Bridge Union. They are currently running a survey, so if you are a fan of the sport or even if you are not, please click here (or below) to take part and potentially win a prize!

IN PARLIAMENT
 
You can read some of my most recent contributions in Parliament below:
Question on Junior Doctors
"It appears that at the start of the recent negotiations the payment for Saturday working was the main sticking point for the BMA, but now the issue of weekend pay has been resolved. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that, now, the doctors who work extended hours over the weekend can get extra pay, and patients can get the seven-days-a-week NHS we all want?"

Question on the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
"My right hon. Friend will be well aware that the business case for the rebuilding of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital has been dragging on within the NHS for more than six years. We now seem to have a decision for the Trust Development Authority to make. Will he put pressure on the TDA to approve this business case so that work can begin this summer?"

Question on Community Languages
"Last week came the really welcome news that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education had safeguarded the qualifications and teaching of community languages. I will list those languages for the benefit of the House: Gujarati, Bengali, Urdu, Punjabi, Japanese, Arabic, modern Greek, modern and biblical Hebrew, Polish, Portuguese and Turkish. That means that we have safeguarded the qualifications and the teaching of those vital languages in the modern world so that everyone can communicate. Unfortunately, the Secretary of State was not able to regale the House with the good news at questions this week. Something such as this should not be left to wither on the vine. Surely we should have a statement on that position, so that we can ensure that everyone understands that, from 2018, those languages are safeguarded in our education system."
 
Read more online, here.
 

IN THE MEDIA

GET IN TOUCH
 
If you have any issues or concerns which you feel I could help you with, please don't hesitate to get in touch using the contact details below:
 
Email: bob.blackman.mp@parliament.uk
Please remember to include your full name and address, even if you've written to Bob before!

Phone:
To discuss a case, report an issue or make a surgery appointment, please contact Bob's office in Harrow, on 020 8421 3323
For diary, media or tour enquiries, please contact Bob's office in Westminster, on 020 7219 7082


Write to:
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
or
209 Headstone Lane, Harrow, HA2 6ND

 
Copyright © 2016 Bob Blackman, all rights reserved.