April 2012
Walsall South
For further information, please visit: http://www.valerievazmp.co.uk
VALERIE WELCOMES ZAK THE ZEBRA TO WALSALL SOUTH
Valerie has welcomed Zak the Zebra to Walsall to call for a safer crossing on Darlaston Road in Pleck. Zak made an appearance with Valerie and local campaigners at the exist-ing Zebra Crossing, near the junction with Hough Road, on Friday 20 April 2012. Valerie also presented a petition of over 300 names to Parliament on Monday 23 April 2012.
Valerie said: “On 16 April 2012 I wrote to Walsall MBC to request that a signal controlled crossing is installed in place of the existing Zebra Crossing on Darlaston Road in Pleck. Residents have provided me with details of five incidents that took place on the crossing in five months between September 2011 and February 2012.”
“Drivers tend to travel fairly quickly along this busy road and the large number of parked cars means that visibility can be limited both for drivers and pedestrians, particularly chil-dren. In one incident, on 8 September 2011 a four year old boy was hit by a car on the crossing and sustained serious head inju-ries. The driver of the car was recently sentenced to 10 months in prison for dangerous driving. A woman was also hit by a car on 25 November 2011. There are several schools nearby and the potential consequences of similar incidents are far too great for immediate action not to be taken.”
Sunday Trading
On Monday 30 April 2012, Valerie voted against plans to suspend Sunday Trading Laws for a period covering the Olympic Games.
Speaking during the Bill’s Second Reading in the House of Com-mons, Valerie said: “The workers are against the Bill, small busi-nesses are against it, and it is against family values. No one wants it, and the majority of the British people will gain no benefit from it. I urge Members to vote against the Bill.”
The Bill was passed at Third Reading by 272 votes to 125. Valerie acted as a Teller for the Noes.
Valerie Acts as Teller for Food Labelling Bill
On Tuesday 24 April 2012, Valerie acted as a Teller for the Noes for the vote on Philip Davies MP’s Food Labelling (Halal and Kosher Meat) Bill 2012. The Bill con-tained provisions to com-pel retailers to label all meat slaughtered using halal or kosher methods. It was defeated by 73 votes to 70.
New Art Gallery Petition
Valerie has launched a petition calling on Walsall MBC to immediately reopen the New Art Gallery on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. This follows news that the New Art Gallery is due a substantial rebate on the Business Rates it paid from 2005 to 2010. Please click here to sign the petition.
Valerie said: “I have launched this online petition, calling on Walsall MBC to reverse the decision to close the Gallery on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays immediately. This move would cost just £30,000 per year and would enable the people of Walsall to enjoy the full benefit the Gallery can bring.”
Valerie Publishes Report into Obesity and Diabetes
This month Valerie published her report on ‘Obesity and Diabetes Programmes in England’. The re-port gives an overview of the status of obesity and diabetes and related programmes in England, us-ing data collected through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests sent to Primary Care Trusts Clusters in July 2011.
Valerie said: “Diabetes and obesity are growing public health concerns in our society. The aim of the Survey was to analyse PCT initiatives in controlling the levels of obesity and diabetes in England and to highlight possibilities for further improvement. This report draws together the information in a way that is useful to a wide audience including healthcare providers, patients, policy-makers and organiza-tions seeking to reduce diabetes and obesity in England, and interested members of the public. It is clear that stronger action is needed from the Government.”
Surgeries
Valerie holds regular surgeries. To arrange an appointment, please call the Constituency Office on 01922 635835
To Contact Valerie:
Constituency Office: 114a Lichfield Street, Walsall, WS1 1SZ
Telephone: 01922 635835
Westminster Office: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Telephone: 020 7219 7176
Email: valerie.vaz.mp@parliament.uk
