Parliament has returned with the Remaining Stages of two new pieces of legislation, the Passenger Railway Services Bill and the Budget Responsibility Bill. These were Committees of the Whole House, which meant they were chaired from the table at which the Clerks sit, rather than the Speakers Chair. Procedurally it was very interesting, at times being Madam Chair and then moving and going back to being Madam Deputy Speaker, which certainly confused some of the new Members.
We have also heard a little more this week about some of the proposals the Government is bringing forward about water companies. It was therefore timely that I had a meeting with Southern Water to talk about some of the issues facing this constituency. I appreciate last Winter was exceptionally wet, but the amount of tankering that was done across the area demonstrated how much groundwater and surface water was ending up in the sewerage network.
The pathfinder project in the Thruxton area has shown what can be achieved by lining the laterals and dramatically reducing the groundwater ingress. But there is so much more to be done and the final proposals for investment in infrastructure locally will be published around Christmas. There remains, however, a real issue in this area about not just sewage disposal but water supply. My colleague Paul Holmes and I both urged Southern Water to use their status in the planning process to better effect, making sure Government understands that thousands more houses in this area will inevitably increase abstraction from the Test and Itchen, two of the most precious rivers in the world.
The Food Fair in Romsey last weekend was absolutely incredible and huge thanks must go to the Chamber of Commerce and all the volunteers who make it possible. It appeared to be the largest yet, with stall holders throughout the Town Centre. I went home with far too many sweet things and have been back hitting the treadmill this week to compensate. I am trying, and failing, to sign up for the Great South Run this year, Walking the Test Way with Rotary seems a far more realistic target.