No 'secret document'

Piffle denied

Where was David Davies? I gave him written notice on Friday and confirmed it today that I was thinking of naming him in the House of Commons today.

Last week’s scare story was: “NEWPORT'S Passport Office is under threat of closure, it is being claimed. The shocking possibility is contained in a top-secret document, according to furious MP David Davies.”

Not furious enough to attend his place of work today. ' I would run through fields of fire to get there if someone was going to name me in the House. But there was no sign of him at topical question of at Point of Order time. I have repeatedly asked for any shred of evidence, a document, a reference number a person who would support his claim. Nothing. The only conclusion is that this is a totally unsubstantiated rumour. If he had turned up and I had mentioned him, the Speaker would have allowed him to make his case.

The question I asked was:

Last week, hundreds of my constituents were alarmed by a claim that there is a secret Government plan to close down the Newport Passport Office. There is no evidence to support this claim. While I do not expect my friend to anticipate the result of the reconfiguration plan that is completer will she agree with me this claim is alarmist irresponsible scaremongering.'

Meg Hiller, the Home Office Minister responsible for the Passport Office said, ‘I agree. There is no plan to close the Newport Passport Office,’

The least that David Davies should do now is apologise for playing political games and stirring up real anxieties in the families of the 350 strong workforces.

STOP PRESS: (received at 6.30pm)  In answer to an e-mail from me asking where he was, David Davies replied: “Having given me notice that you are going to raise this matter I think you should feel free to do so regardless of my presence. However I think you should know that several different people have spoken to me about this anonymously and were quite specific in saying that there is a document. I have not seen it nor did I claim to have done so in the Argus. Those who have spoken to me work in the Passport Office. I suggested to the Argus, who had also heard about this, that they speak to the Home Office to get a comment before going to print. I am not sure if this happened. I also spoke to the PCS who, separately, have raised the matter with the HO and not received a clear answer.

I wasn't able to be here for personal reasons and withdrew the question which I did not think would be reached.”

St Michael's Pride

Very much present in the Commons today was a party of children and teachers from St Michaels School in Pillgwenlly.

It was a rare treat for me to see them in the gallery of the Chamber when I asked my question. I had talked to them about if beforehand in an informal question and answer session.

The splendid Commons Library Education staff had persuaded them to organise themselves into political parties. These included the Peace Party, the Koala Carers and the Presidential Party. They each had ambitious programmes to improve the world.

The children had a non-stop barrage of questions for me including inflation, fuel prices, knife crime, Newport jobs, what frightens MPs, traffic congestion, improvements to Newport and what’s the best thing about being an MP?

St Michaels is the second Newport School to take advantage of the Library’s programmes for junior school this summer. It’s a great stimulating experience that the children will never forget. Why only two Newport schools? Both from Pillgwenlly.

When will we see the rest of you?

Lazarus

The other David Davies had his born-again moment in the Commons today.

He  did have the grace to look embarrassed at this unique farce. This was David Davies MP replacing David Davies MP. There is a little ceremony when the 'new' members is introduced to the House. A question was asked about the reform of the House of Lords when David was waiting for his ritual humiliation. 'How much is this House of Lords rigmarole going to cost?'  'How much has this rigmarole cost ?' said several backbenchers pointing to David and his unnecessary election.

There were shouts of 'Resign' and after took the oath swearing loyalty, there was a shout of 'For how long, this time?. Only 42 day hater David Winnick shouted 'Well Done" and the Speaker said 'Welcome back'

Will meaningless resignations catch on?