Parliament has been debating the Finance Bill this week and also the changes the Government is seeking to make to the planning process. I know how very concerned businesses in this constituency are at some of the changes in the Finance Bill, but we also need to be wary of endeavours to speed up planning which might come at the expense of our local environment, especially when they are done via the back door and not legislation on the floor of the House which can be thoroughly scrutinised. The Government may have put in some protections for Chalk Streams, but they are nowhere near enough, and I fear we are about to endure a round of “garden grabbing”.
I also had a visitor to Parliament, one of my constituents, a nearly 90 year old nuclear test veteran. I had arranged for him to have tea with the Minister for the Armed Forces, Al Carns, and a chat about his experiences on Christmas Island all those years ago. It was good to hear that there is a rapid review being conducted with a plan for redress in the New Year. That is good news for those, like my constituent, who are still here to see it, but it is a vanishingly small number who are still with us.
The Romsey Youth Choir had their 15th anniversary concert in the Abbey last weekend. What a wonderful event and it was lovely to hear from the choir alumni what they had gained from being members, and indeed the love they have for Marion and Chris Maxey. They have given so many young people a love for music that clearly endures long after they have graduated from the choir.
This coming weekend it is a round of 9 Lessons and Carols and then on Monday night there will be the traditional carols in the Market Place with Rotary. I think the Town is looking absolutely stunning for Christmas and as this will be my last Letter from Westminster before the 25th I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas.