One of the hidden aspects of Parliament is the work of the
All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs); not because they are secretive but
because their work goes almost unreported. Most MPs join some – you couldn’t
possibly join them all as there are well over a hundred. Members tend to join
ones that have particular relevance to their constituency or they have a
particular interest or expertise that could help the Group’s work.
What do they do? There are Group’s linked to particular
countries that seek to develop closer links, develop trading contacts and
greater understanding between the two nations. There are groups linked to
particular subjects such as, for example agriculture or tourism and others that
work with charities and support groups linked to serious medical conditions.
Virtually every serious illness you can imagine will have an APPG.
Some come together at regular intervals to take evidence,
discuss possible changes to legislation or hear from those involved in the
field of work covered by the Group, others are formed with the sole aim of
investigating a particular issue, publishing a report and then trying to
persuade government to take up some of the conclusions reached.
This week I went to the inaugural meeting of the Group that
seeks to improve the pathways into work for disabled young people. One of the
issues brought to my surgeries time and again over the last eighteen months has
been the difficulties and challenges the parents and families of the disabled
face up to, and they do so with the devotion and determination that can only
result from loving relationships.
To hear from the young people that attended the Westminster
meeting was truly inspiring. I only hope the work of the Group and the report
produced will go just a small way to improving some young lives.
One of the real successes of the recent reforms of the way
parliament goes about its business in the introduction of the Back Bench
Business Committee. Do I hear you yawn? What possible interest can this be to
me? Such a reaction is perfectly understandable but, believe it or not, what
happens in parliament affects all our daily lives. This obscure Committee meet
at one o’clock every Tuesday lunchtime to hear pleas from Back Bench Members as
to why their particular subject should be debated – they also consider which of
the newly-introduced e-petitions should be debated.
E-petitions that reach
100,000 signatories can be considered if a member takes it to the Committee.
The recent debate on whether or not there should be an EU referendum resulted
from a petition that was then taken to the Committee by Tory member David
Nuttall. More often than not there will be no vote but they can step up
pressure on government sometimes on issues that they would rather not have to
tackle – well not at this particular time anyway. The recent EU debate was,
apparently watched by just under half a million viewers which I guess must be
something of a record for the BBC’s Parliament Channel.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) there is to be another debate resulting
from this process. As one of the officers of the All-Party Group linked to the
Fair Fuel Campaign I went along, with my colleague Robert Halfon who represents
Harlow, to the Business Committee three times running trying to secure a debate
about reducing the duty on petrol and diesel. It was a case of third time
lucky. Again an e-petition was involved as we quoted the 100,000 signatures in
support of our application.
Again, nothing will change immediately as a result of this
one-off debate but it will send a clear message to Government that urgent
action is need to bring these costs down and pressure will build on the
Government to withdraw or at least postpone the proposed increases that the
last Labour government introduced that are scheduled to come into effect next
year. Will the Government try another 3-line whip as they did in the Euro
debate? Surely not, we shall see.
