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Michael Foster’s Parliamentary Bulletin

May 2009

The past month is quite unlike any other I have ever witnessed in my political career. Explosive revelations over inappropriate expense claims has sparked a wave of anti-MP public anger that has already seen 12 MPs step down, with more likely to follow. Although I remain convinced most MPs have stuck to both the letter and the spirit of the law it has nonetheless been extremely distressing to see how some colleagues have stretched the system to breaking point both technically and morally.

I believe you will have received an emailed copy of my expenses statement but if you have not it is available on my website which you can visit by clicking here - where you can also download copies of my expense claims (just scroll to the bottom of the webpage). I intend to publish even more detailed claims but quite simply collating and scanning several years worth of claims is a quite significant logistical effort. If you want to see the detailed breakdown sooner you are more than welcome to come to my office on bohemia road and look at the hard copies yourself.

However, beyond the expenses storm there is still much to be positive about:

Fishing Quotas

As regular readers will know the UK fishing fleet is divided into two sectors. The under 10 Metre (which includes almost all local vessels) employs over 50% of the fishing workforce but only receives 3% of the quota while the over 10 Metre sector, dominated by industrial scale Producer Organisations, receives 96% of the total. A totally unfair arrangement I have been campaigning against.

This week a gathering of European Fisheries Ministers, including the UK’s Huw Irranca-Davies MP, agreed to a fundamental review of the discredited Common Fisheries Policy. That is welcome news but I also held a Parliamentary debate (see the full text by clicking here) with the Minister last week when I told him that redistribution to the under 10m fleet could not await the outcome of the EU discussions.

The Minister did acknowledge the continuing injustice and announced the establishment of a group to examine more closely the distribution which he said would report in about a year. He also confirmed he would visit Hastings and speak to local fishermen in June. I do think the Minister gets the point. He sees the injustice but we need action. He says that other species, such as sole, are plentiful and can keep the fisheries open but my worry is that later in the year when there is only cod our local fishermen will be in real trouble. When he comes to Hastings in June he will see for himself the difficulties they are experiencing. It seems to me this is an instance where the Minister must impose redistribution.

In the coming days and weeks I will also be speaking with local fishermen to assist them in making contributions to the consultation on EU fisheries reform, a process which will hopefully see more power put in their hands.

Government cash for your old banger

The new Scrappage scheme is now ‘on the road’. As of last week local motorists here in Hastings and Rye can drive off with a £2,000 discount on a new car, under the Government’s scheme to scrap their old banger for a new model.

Motorists will be spoilt for choice with 38 manufacturers taking part in the scheme covering all the major brands. It offers a real opportunity and bargain for car drivers who are looking to trade in their old motor for a new model.

But it’s a one-off offer so my advice to people is to get in quick if you want to take advantage of the scheme.

The scheme will run until March 2010 and is a targeted, time-limited boost the whole motor trade, which is under huge pressure at the moment.

To qualify the old vehicle must have been registered in the UK before 31 August 1999 (“T” plate or older), must have a current MoT, be taxed and insured and be free of finance. The claimant must also have been the registered keeper in the UK for at least the last 12 months. No new models of car or van are excluded from the scheme as long as they are below 3.5 tonnes, and supplied by a participating manufacturer.

Tips Should Be Tips

The minimum wage is a fundamental keystone of an equitable labour market but for a long time I have been campaigning against allowing employers to use tips to make up the minimum. Well I’m pleased to say that from October it will be illegal to use customers' tips to make up the minimum wage. Any tips left for staff will be in addition to basic pay.

When you go to a restaurant or to have a hair cut and leave a tip, you expect it to go to the staff on top of their pay, not to be put through the payroll to make up the Minimum Wage. For me, this is a matter of fairness and common sense. When this change comes in it will benefit a great many people in Hastings and Rye.

Minimum wage rates stand at £5.73 for people aged 22 and over, £4.77 for 18- 21 year olds and £3.53 for 16-17 year olds. If you think you are not receiving the minimum wage to which you are entitled you can call the free National Minimum Wage Hotline on: 0845 6000 678.

Snares should be banned!

This month I have joined with Parliamentary colleagues to call for a complete ban on the use of animal snares. Snares are anchored cable or wire nooses set to catch wild animals such as foxes and rabbits. However they are indiscriminate. Any animal is at risk from a snare including protected species such as otters and badgers as well as deer, hare, livestock and even domestic cats and dogs.

Although their purpose is to immobilise, snares can cause extreme suffering to animals and in some cases a painful, lingering death. Through measures such as the Animal Welfare Act and fox hunting ban this Government has done more than any other to push the issue of animal welfare. But more always needs to be done and I would like to see a complete ban on cruel devices like snares.

I have backed a Parliamentary motion on this issue which you can see by clicking here.

Parliamentary Postman

Just to finish on a lighter note I’ll tell you about my getting the chance to be a postie for the day!

Earlier in the month I was taken on a tour of the St Leonards Sorting Office and was put straight to work sorting the day’s mail before going out ‘on the round’ with local postman Mark Deeprose.

Our universal postal service is something of which we are justly proud. And it’s all thanks to the hard work of our tireless postmen. I was delighted to be given the opportunity today to help out and be a ‘postie’ even if it was only for a little while! It’s not easy and I’m exhausted. These bags are heavy! Thanks for that Mark!

Well that just about concludes this month’s news but as ever you can keep up to date I’m doing by logging onto my website www.michaelfoster.org.uk or get in touch with me by emailing mp@1066.net or calling 01424 460070. If you have any questions about any of the issues raised above please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

With best wishes

Michael Foster DL MP