Archive for February, 2011
Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011
Christopher Pincher, Member of Parliament for Tamworth and member of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, has just announced the Constituency’s favorite pubs, as part of the British Pub celebrations of 2010. The celebration of British pubs ran at the end of 2010 and constituents were asked to nominate their favorite pubs.
Mr. Pincher said:
“The local pub is important for many people; it functions much more than just a place to drink or eat in a supervised and secure environment. It is a pillar of the community providing a venue for local people to meet and hold events. I believe pubs are vital in promoting community spirit. I would like to congratulate the winning pubs and thank all constituents who nominated their favorite pub.“
He added;
“I support the Chancellor’s decision to reverse the Labour Government’s increase in cider rate (10% above inflation) as well as his decision not to increase the large alcohol duty bequeathed by Labour. I am also working with the Government to provide meaningful assistance to the pub industry, and I am pleased by the plans to introduce a high alcohol tax that will support the pub trade, by preventing below cost retail sale of alcohol.”
Each pub has received a certificate from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Beer signed by the Local MP.
The successful pubs were –
1. Sir Robert Peel – Tamworth
2. Plough & Harrow – Fazeley
3. White Lion – Harlaston
4. Crown Inn – Elford
5. The Green Man – Clifton Campville
6. The Gate – Amington
7. Red Lion – Hopwas
8. Royal Oak – Stonnall
9. The Black Horse – Edingale
10. Fox & Hounds – Shenstone
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011
Christopher Pincher, Member of Parliament for Hints, Hopwas & Tamworth, met with local residents in Hints last Friday to update them on the latest news he has about HS2. Over 150 local residents crowded into the village hall to listen to his update and the latest news from the village action team.
The controversial project, which will build a brand new high speed rail line running between Tamworth and Lichfield, passing near such villages as Hints and Drayton Bassett, is about to go out to public consultation. The results of the consultation will be given to Secretary of State Philip Hammond in July. Mr Hammond will then make a final decision on his preferred route – or whether to make changes including scrapping the entire project – before the end of the year.
Mr. Pincher told the packed meeting that he, along with other MPs like Andrea Leadsom from South Northamptonshire, are calling for a backbench debate in the House of Commons on HS2. He has also written to Chairman of the Transport Select Committee, Louise Ellman MP, urging her to instigate an official committee inquiry into the proposals.
Mr. Pincher said:
“I have asked a number of parliamentary questions and have written to Sir Brian Briscoe of HS2 looking for answers but each answer as yet only begs more questions. The business case for the project has not been proven by the Department for Transport. It is full of holes.”
He also made clear that, if the rail link is eventually built (and wherever it is built) a proper plan for the best possible mitigations of its affects and the fullest possible compensation must also be agreed – and included in the business case to confirm that it still stacks up.
Tuesday, February 1st, 2011
Christopher Pincher, Member of Parliament for Tamworth, spoke up for soldiers and their families in the House of Commons earlier this week when he called on the Defence Secretary, Liam Fox, to make it easier for soldiers, sailors and airmen to buy their own properties.
Mr. Pincher said:
“As my right hon. Friend seeks to build the armed forces covenant, will he pay close attention to the Strachan report and, in particular, those recommendations to offer enhanced accommodation allowances, expand the pilot shared equity scheme and encourage banks to offer forces-friendly mortgages, so that members of our armed services get a firmer foot on the property ladder?”
Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox responded:
“It was, indeed, a valuable set of recommendations, and we are going through them one at a time at the moment. I am instinctively very much in favour of all the elements that my hon. Friend sets out, and in the very near future we shall in fact produce some further projects, which I hope will provide considerable enhancements to some elements of the covenant not previously covered-and at minimal cost to the taxpayer.”
After Ministerial questions Mr Pincher commented:
“I think it is important that our Military Covenant is made between nation and our Forces in tangible terms. Helping Forces families to get a stable and long term home of their own is another good way of showing our appreciation for them. So I am glad the government is taking such a positive attitude.”
“I was very pleased to visit the Staffordshire Regiment Museum at Whittington last week to see for myself the long and proud history of soldiering in our part of the world. And I am very honoured to have been made a member of the Armed Forces Bill Select Committee looking into the Military Covenant so I can do my bit to support the soldiers of today.”
