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News from Bob Blackman MP
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Since my last edition, I have been meeting constituents on street surgeries all around the constituency and I have been doing my part in Westminster to represent Harrow East.

Here are a few of the events and engagements I have taken part in recently:
Firm Foundation
I was pleased to visit the night shelter run by Firm Foundation to hear first hand personal stories of those needing shelter. Many thanks to all the brilliant volunteers who help out, especially people who return as mentors to help enable people to put their lives back together.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
I spoke in a Westminster Hall debate to ask the Government to apologise for the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre which happened 100 years ago.

See my full speech here.
Inspiring Indian Women
I was delighted to sponsor a brilliant International Womans Day celebration organised by 'Inspiring Indian Women' in. I enjoyed hearing the inspirational stories of women who have overcome prejudice and difficulties to become role models for others to follow.
Ladbrokes Charity Bet

I was pleased to place my charity bet for the Grand National with my friends at Queensbury Ladbrokes with any winnings to St Luke's Hospice in Harrow. Sadly, my Horse unseated its rider and failed to finish!

Nowruz Reception
I was delighted to join a celebration in Parliament for Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. I spoke at the event about the flawed Nuclear deal with Iran and explained that more pressure is needed from our government.
Tobacco Company Transparency
I introduced a Bill which requires tobacco companies to publish sales and marketing data. See my full speech on the issue here.
Battersea Power Station
I joined colleagues on a visit to Battersea Power Station to see the progress of the developments there. Thanks to Augmented Reality I was able to view the digital model to see what the site will look like on completion.
Jainism APPG
As Deputy Chair of the APPG for Jainism, I confirmed that the APPG had met the Cabinet Office, and would continue to meet ministers to ensure that Jains are properly represented in public service policy and funding decisions.
Tour of Parliament
 
As always, I had the pleasure of showing groups of constituents around Parliament for one of my Thursday night tours. If you would like to join me on a tour then contact my office for availability. 
Seminar on Homelessness Reduction Act

I was honoured to chair a seminar on the implementation of my Homelessness Reduction Act. I was pleased to set out the aims of the Act and listen to presentations on progress as well as further ideas to combat homelessness.
Holi 2019
I enjoyed joining my friends for this years Holi celebrations and recording a message at The International Siddhashram Shakti Center.
Shree Ram Katha

I was delighted to have joined friends and colleagues to celebrate the start of Chaitra month at Shree Kadwa Patidar Samaj.
Leasehold Reform
At PMQ's I asked the Prime Minister what can be done to restore fairness to the housing market after a report by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee. Full video here.
Ramanavami

I was pleased to join local councillors and friends at Bhaktivedanta Manor to witness the play depicting the story of Ram, Sita & Lakshwama and the battle with Ravana.
NOTICES
Free financial education for Harrow East Secondaries

Nebula Learning provides a free online finance course to 14-18 year-olds in UK schools. The course comes with supporting lesson plans and can be seamlessly integrated into the classroom. Since nearly 25% of 18-30 year-olds in constant debt, please encourage teachers to get in touch with the team at beth@nebulalearning.co.uk or at www.nebulalearning.co.uk.
 
IN PARLIAMENT

Monday 1st: Home Office Questions were followed by a business motion and then debates on Brexit options. As detailed above these proposals were all defeated. I attended the HCLG Select Committee where we continued our inquiry into modern methods of construction. In the evening we had a 1922 spring reception.
Tuesday 2nd: I went on an early morning visit to Battersea Power Station to view the construction methods being used. At Foreign and Commonwealth Office Questions, I asked about action against Hamas. https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2019-04-02b.922.4&s=speaker%3A24945#g923.2
This was followed by a Report from the Committee of Privileges and then Lords Amendments relating to the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill. We then had a Statutory Instrument on the draft Geo-Blocking Regulation (Revocation) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. I attended a reception for a visiting minister from Taiwan, the Backbench Business Committee and a reception to celebrate the Persian New Year.
Wednesday 3rd: At Wales Questions, I asked about devolving regeneration funds to local authorities
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2019-04-03a.1016.1&s=speaker%3A24945#g1017.1
A curious PMQs followed with low level Q&A with Jeremy Corbyn but a series of attacks from Conservative MPs opposing the cross-party talks. After a statement on Windrush Compensation, we then had the drama of the backbench coup to delay Article 50. I chaired the Procedure Committee, followed by attending the 1922 Executive and 1922 Committees.
Thursday 4th: I attended the annual Founders Day event at North London Collegiate School. In the Chamber, Exiting the European Union Questions were followed by a UQ on the gender pay gap, Business Questions and a statement on sharia law in Brunei. We then had a debate on a motion on the Introduction of the 2019 Loan Charge which was interrupted when there was a flood in one of the galleries caused by a burst pipe. The House adjourned early! I ran a tour for constituents in the evening.
Friday 5th: I placed by charity bet on the Grand National and had a meeting with the trustees of Kenton Temple.
Monday 8th: After my constituency surgery, I rushed to participate in Housing, Communities and Local Government Questions where I asked about progress on the Housing First pilots. https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2019-04-08c.11.3&s=speaker%3A24945#g12.1
We then had a UQ on Access to medicinal cannabis and a statement on the on-line harm white paper which were followed by Motions to approve Statutory Instruments relating to the draft Electronic Communications (Amendment Etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 and the draft Trade in Torture Etc. Goods (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. We then had a general debate on UN International Day for the elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Tuesday 9th: Treasury Questions opened proceedings followed by UQs on Rwandan Genocide and Windrush. I then proposed my Ten Minute Rule Motion: Tobacco Companies (Transparency).
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2019-04-09c.201.3&s=speaker%3A24945#g202.1
 I then rushed to Westminster Hall to lead a debate on the centenary of the Jallian Bagh Massacre.
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2019-04-09a.37.0&s=speaker%3A24945#g38.1
In The Chamber we had motions to approve the Burma (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, the Venezuela (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, the Iran (Sanctions) (Human Rights) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 and the Republic Of Guinea-Bissau (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations and a general debate on Housing.
Wednesday 10th: Northern Ireland Questions opened proceedings where I sked about the timetable for talks to revive the Northern Ireland Executive
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2019-04-10b.299.2&s=speaker%3A24945#g300.1
At PMQs, I asked for legislation to restore fairness to the leasehold market.
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2019-04-10b.308.6&s=speaker%3A24945#g313.3
We then had a UQ on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong where I asked for strong communication with the Chinese to desist from interfering in Hong Kong and for threatening Taiwan.
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2019-04-10b.321.0&s=speaker%3A24945#g328.4
A UQ on voter ID pilots were followed by a motion to approve the draft Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (Consequential Modifications) Order followed by a general debate on the 50th Anniversary of the Continuous at Sea Deterrent. I attended Procedure, 1922 Executive and 1922 Committees.
Thursday 11th: At Digital, Culture, Media and Sport questions I asked for intervention to assist uniformed youth groups in Harrow being threatened by huge rent increases by Harrow Council.
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2019-04-11a.446.4&s=speaker%3A24945#g446.5
Attorney General Questions were followed by Business Questions where I asked the Leader to give good wishes for everyone celebrating Rama Navami
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2019-04-11a.470.5&s=speaker%3A24945#g480.6
We then had a UQ on Stagecoach being barred from bidding for the East Midlands line franchise. A statement on discrimination in football where I asked for praise for Danny Rose for speaking out and for racist chanting to be dealt with by ejecting those responsible from grounds and having them arrested but not punishing the good fans who just want to watch football. https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2019-04-11a.497.0&s=speaker%3A24945#g501.0
The PM gave a statement on the European Council followed by a statement on the arrest of Julian Assange. We then had the conclusion of the debate on the Loan Charge. The House then adjourned for Easter.
Friday 12th: The House was not sitting. I visited Relate to hear about their work.

Next Week in Parliament

MONDAY 22nd: The House will not be sitting.
TUESDAY 23rd: Justice Questions followed by Motions to approve a Statutory Instruments relating to the draft Northern Ireland (Extension of Period for Executive Formation) Regulations 2019, Value Added Tax (Tour Operators) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I., 2019, No. 73, Electronic Communications (Amendment Etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 & Animal Health, Seed Potatoes and Food (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (Whip in Charge: Iain Stewart)
WEDNESDAY 24th: Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Questions, Prime Minister Questions Opposition Day
THURSDAY 25th: International Trade & Women and Equalities Questions & Business Question
Debates on motions relating to School Funding & Restrictive Intervention of Children and Young People.
FRIDAY 26th: The House will not be sitting.
 

GET IN TOUCH
 
If you have any issues or concerns that 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 me before!

Phone:
To discuss a case or report an issue, please contact my office in Harrow, on
020 8421 3323
For diary enquiries, please contact my office in Westminster, on 020 7219 7082

Write to:
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
or
209 Headstone Lane, Harrow, HA2 6ND
 
Copyright © 2019 Bob Blackman, all rights reserved.