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Recent events PRESS RELEASE 18 January 2012 Local MP 'Speaks Out' against prejudice by signing Holocaust Memorial Day Book of Commitment Andrew Murrison signed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, in doing so pledging his commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day and honouring those who died during the Holocaust.
Friday January 27th will mark the 67th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration and extermination camp which is the site of the largest mass murder in history – and in the weeks running up to the day, the Holocaust Educational Trust placed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, giving MPs the chance to honour those who were persecuted and killed during their Holocaust and encouraging constituents to actively speak out against prejudice and bigotry today.
In signing the Book of Commitment Dr Murrison paid tribute to the extraordinary men and women who having survived the Holocaust, work to educate young people about what they endured, through the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Outreach programme.
In the weeks around Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events will be arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across the country, remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. This year, people will also be encouraged to take a stand against racism and prejudice today – and to speak out against hatred wherever they encounter it.
“I have spoken with young people who have visited Auschwitz and the experience has clearly made a big impact on them. We must always bear in mind the capacity of human beings to do terrible things to one another and in so doing help to guard against future atrocities.’
Karen Pollock MBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “We are proud that Andrew Murrison is supporting Holocaust Memorial Day this year. It is vitally important that we both remember and learn from the appalling events of the Holocaust – as well as ensuring that we continue to challenge all forms of bigotry.” PRESS RELEASE 8 December 2011 MP welcomes water white paper Andrew Murrison has welcomed Water For Life, proposals issued today by the government for the use and conservation of water. He has recently been involved in the meetings around the state of chalk streams in his constituency and has made representations about abstraction. The government white paper (GWP) acknowledges that we have been abstracting too much from our rivers. It says;
Many rivers and water bodies in the UK are being damaged when too much water is taken from them. The current system for managing abstraction was set up in the 1960s, and was designed to manage competing human demands for water rather than to protect the environment.
The GWP is the prelude to a draft Water Bill to be published early in 2012. Dr Murrison said;
“I am pleased that the issue of low water flows in sensitive rivers and streams has been acknowledged in the white paper. This is will be the backdrop against which the Environment Agency and Wessex Water will be considering its proposed trial of abstraction reduction for next year.” PRESS RELEASE 8 December 2011 Ex Navy MP welcomes women in submarines Andrew Murrison who served as a Surgeon Commander in the Royal Navy before entering Parliament has congratulated the government for its announcement that women will be able to serve in submarines.
He said;
“Women have proved to be an essential part of the surface fleet. I can see no convincing reason to prevent female personnel from becoming submariners if they wish.”
“The medical and physiological objections to women serving in submarines appear to have been resolved removing any real hurdle for potential female submariners.”
Defence Secretary Phillip Hammond has today announced that women may serve in subs from 2013. PRESS RELEASE 2 December 2011 MP meets with Wessex Water and Environment Agency Andrew Murrison today discussed water levels in the chalk streams of the river Shreen and Ashfield Water in and around Mere with the statutory agency and the water abstractor. The relationship between water level in the streams, rainfall and abstraction was covered in some detail.
Wessex Water will now put together a proposal for a trial of reduced water abstraction for discussion with the EA and with Mere parish council with a view to commencement in 2012.
Dr Murrison said;
“The meeting was very helpful. I look forward to seeing the methodology for the proposed trial and to it being discussed with parish representatives.” PRESS RELEASE 2 December 2011 MP visits community payback project Andrew Murrison will start a briefing session by Wiltshire Probation Trust this morning at 1030am at Westbury allotments. He is keen to learn more about offender management. The MP said;
“Crime is a prime concern of local residents and the potential for imaginative rehabilitation is substantial.” PRESS RELEASE 1 December 2011 MP meets with Environment Agency to discuss watercourses Andrew Murrison will tomorrow meet with regional officers of the Environment Agency to discuss the management of chalk streams and why it is that they are running dry. This follows a public meeting in Mere about the River Shreen.
Andrew said;
“Clearly we can’t control rainfall but we can alter the amount of water we abstract from vulnerable and sensitive watercourses. I hope a solution can be found to reconcile our need for abstraction with protection of our precious streams and rivers. PRESS RELEASE 29 November 2011 MP welcomes Olympic torch route through West Wiltshire The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) today confirmed all the communities through which the Olympic Flame will be carried by Torchbearers during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay which is presented by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung. The route will include TROWBRIDGE.
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: 'I'm delighted that the Olympic Torch Relay will take the 2012 Games to almost every corner of the UK and that we have achieved our ambition to take the Flame to within an hour's journey of 95% of the population. Now everyone is invited to plan their welcome and find out where they can go to be part of this historic occasion. The Olympic Games are coming to you as the Olympic Flame gives our people and places their moment to shine.'
The Olympic Flame will be lit in Olympia in Greece in May 2012. British Airways is a Supporter of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay and the Olympic Flame will arrive into the UK from Greece on 18 May 2012 on board one of its aircraft. PRESS RELEASE 24 November 2011 MP requests action on train ticket pricing Following a meeting in the Commons yesterday of west country MPs Andrew Murrison asked Leader of the House Sir George Young MP at Business Questions today (Thursday) for a debate on why the travelling public in the south west pay more per train mile than people in other regions.
He was referring to figures produced for standard anytime single fares by TravelWatch SouthWest, the South West Public Transport Users’ Forum which promotes the interests of public transport users in the region (www.travelwatchsouthwest.org). The data also reveals that the average age of rolling stock for First Great Western is the worst of all train operating companies.
In his question Dr Murrison pointed out as he has before that, whilst he supports large rail infrastructure projects like high speed rail from London to the midlands and the north, his constituents face a double whammy of relatively high fares and poor infrastructure. In the House he said that west country travellers were becoming the ‘poor country cousins’ to the rest of country.
In a sympathetic response Sir George, who sometimes travels on the same train the South West Wiltshire MP takes to London, said he would raise the matter with transport ministers.
Speaking afterwards Andrew said;
“The data speaks for itself and the gulf between the south west and the rest of the country is set to grow as infrastructure elsewhere improves. We need to ensure a fair deal for travellers in the west country.” PRESS RELEASE 24 November 2011 MP to visit COSATT On Friday 25 November at 10am Andrew Murrison will make a visit to Covert Overt Sensors and Transmission Technologies (COSATT) at The Dairy House Barn, Manor Farm, Norton Ferris, Warminster, BA12 7HT.
Andrew will be shown Cosatt’s new Cell Occupant and Occupancy Monitoring System (COMS) and what the system can do to help people. Andrew has been informed that the COMS system monitors the movement of detainees in cells and has beneficial safety features.
Andrew said:
“It is important that the wellbeing of people in custody is safeguarded and new technology has a significant part to play”
“There is a surprising amount of business activity in our area and much of it is in rural locations, a development that will be assisted with infrastructure improvements such as reliable broadband. PRESS RELEASE 18 November 2011 MP slams BANES for withholding legal advice Andrew Murrison has received a letter from Amy Ogborne, Information Compliance Manager at BANES Council, refusing his demand to publish the legal opinion, bought by BANES with public funds, on its proposed closure of the A36 to heavy traffic. In her letter Ms Ogborne says that legal professional privilege means that the MP’s application under Freedom of Information rules can be refused. Dr Murrison, whose constituents along the A350 would bear the brunt of traffic unable to use the A36, said:
“I am appalled by BANES Council’s attitude to transparency and its arrogance in supposing it can spend public money on expensive barristers and then refuse to let the public see the opinion their council tax has paid for.”
The South West Wiltshire MP has applied for an internal review and will if necessary, take the matter to the Information Commissioner. PRESS RELEASE 17 Novemer 2011 MP’s visit to ‘Ask’ On Friday morning Andrew Murrison will visit ‘Ask’, a support group that provides a variety of specialist services to parents and carers.
Andrew will be at Elmsgate, Edington Road, Steeple Ashton BA14 6HP at 10.30am. PRESS 10 November 2011 MP to open Crosspoint Andrew Murrison will follow the two minute silence in Westbury tomorrow by formally opening The Welcome Centre at Albion House in the Market Place. The centre has been created by members of local churches in the Westbury area from an empty shop to provide a safe, non-threatening environment where anyone can come to find a listening ear, information about services, IT, help with filling out forms and signposting.
Andrew said;
“I am delighted local churches are creating this service following a needs assessment. In these difficult times the Welcome Centre will experience plenty of demand and I am sure will be of great help to local people.” PRESS RELEASE 7 November 2011 MP appointed PM’s Special Representative Andrew Murrison has accepted David Cameron's commission to represent him in developing the government's plans to commemorate the centenary of the Great War.
The ex Navy MP whose book Tommy dealing with the military covenant was published in the summer said; "I am delighted to be asked to undertake this work especially since I represent an area with so many military connections." PRESS RELEASE 27 October 2011 MP to attend coffee morning Andrew Murrison will be dropping in for coffee at Imber Court in George Street Warminster at 10.00 am on Friday 28th October. Andrew will get the opportunity to meet residents and learn how Imber Court can help retired people live independently.
Andrew, who recently visited Chantry Court in Westbury, said;
“There are a number of imaginative solutions available locally for people seeking to live securely and independently into their retirement. It’s useful to be able to discuss residents’ experience of the various options.”
PRESS RELEASE 22 October 2011 MP delighted by government’s acceptance of amputee report Andrew Murrison’s review of services available to military amputees has been accepted by Number 10 Downing Street and all the main recommendations will be carried out with the help of a £15 million cash injection.
The announcement was made on Friday as the South West Wiltshire MP and David Cameron visited the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court in Surrey to meet with patients and staff. Dr Murrison subsequently visited the Douglas Bader Centre, a limb centre, at Queen Mary’s Hospital Roehampton with health minister Anne Milton MP.
Dr Murrison, whose study into military amputees follows his recommendations on veterans’ mental health which were accepted by the government last year, said;
“Time and again during my review patients and their relatives expressed concern that the high level service they receiving whilst still in the Armed Forces may not continue when they become civilian and I heard from some NHS limb centres that they too were concerned that they were not fully resourced for them. I hope we will have been able to resolve those uncertainties with the government’s positive response to my report and that all amputees, military and civilian, will benefit.” PRESS RELEASE 6 October 2011 MP at 10th Anniversary At 11am on Saturday 8th October Andrew Murrison MP will be at the Maiden Bradley Village Shop in Church Street, Maiden Bradley, Warminster BA12 7HW. The shop will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary of becoming a Community Shop. Andrew officiated at the official opening of the shop 10 years ago as one of his first duties as an MP. He said;
“ It is privilege to be asked back to the shop to celebrate ten years of its success and service to the community.” PRESS RELEASE 6 October 2011 MP at The Wyndham Arms On Saturday 8th October at 2.30pm Andrew Murrison MP will be at The Wyndham Arms in Hindon Road, Dinton SP3 5EG. Andrew will chat with constituents and take part in a questions and answers session organised by Mr David Parker of Valley News.
PRESS RELEASE 6 October 2011 MP to visit Retirement Village On Friday 7th October at 12.30pm Andrew Murrison MP will visit Chantry Court Retirement Village in Chantry Lane, Westbury BA13 3FE. Andrew will get the opportunity to view the village and learn how it promotes independent living.
PRESS RELEASE 6 October 2011 MP at St Mary’s School On Friday 7th October at 3pm Andrew Murrison MP will be visiting St Mary’s School in Shaftesbury SP7 9LP. He will be talking to students about his role as an MP and taking questions. PRESS RELEASE 30 September 2011 MP to visit Allotment Project On Saturday 1st October at 2pm Andrew Murrison MP will be visiting the Gloucester Road Allotments off Gladstone Road in Trowbridge. Andrew will have the opportunity to view the new improvements made to the allotment which has now been transformed into a fully disabled garden facility for the community including a fully paved wheel chair friendly paved access and a disabled parking area.
PRESS RELEASE 15 September 2011 MP to tour former Bowyers factory site Andrew Murrison MP will tour the former Bowyers factory site tomorrow afternoon (Friday) at 3.30pm. Andrew will meet with potential developers of the Bowyers site, by the bridge over the River Biss at the junction of Wicker Hill and Stallard Street. Andrew said;
“I prefer to keep an open mind on the virtues of specific applications before they are considered by the planning authority but I do thoroughly approve of using derelict sites in our town centres before consuming what remains of surrounding green fields. I sincerely hope a developer gets to grips with the Bowyers site quickly as it is currently blighting the middle of our county town.” PRESS RELEASE 13 September 2011 MP on boundary changes The South West Wiltshire parliamentary constituency will disappear under proposals published by the Boundary Commissioner for England on Tuesday. The plans will split the seat in three with the largest portion including Westbury, Warminster and Mere joining part of North Dorset, a new seat based on Trowbridge, Melksham and Bradford on Avon and with Tisbury joining the Salisbury constituency. Andrew said; “I support the reduction in MP numbers and equalising the number of voters in each seat which underpin these proposals and do not underestimate the challenge the Boundary Commissioner faces. However, it is important to create electoral divisions that hang together and make sense. To that end the plans do need further work and I hope voters and community groups will contribute to the consultation now underway. “At a personal level I feel deeply attached to my constituency as most MPs do. I certainly do not welcome the commissioner separating me from communities that I have got to know well and feel very much involved with. It is expected that any boundary changes will take effect in time for the next general election, anticipated in 2015. The current constituencies will remain in place until then. PRESS RELEASE 9 September 2011 MP to visit South West Woodland Show At 10.30am today Andrew Murrison will be visiting The South West Woodland Show at Longleat Estate, Warminster.
Andrew will take the opportunity to tour round and view the exhibitions.
The show is sponsored by Euroforest, Forest Fuels Ltd, Knight Frank & Southern Wood Energy Ltd in partnership with Forest Intelligent Energy PRESS RELEASE 1 September 2011 MP pays tribute to Trowbridge role in recent conflict as Lyneham repatriations shift to Brize. Trowbridge MP Andrew Murrison has called for the service of Trowbridge town hall as coroner’s court for more than 200 military inquests arising from conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan to be marked.
Yesterday the town of Wootton Bassett commemorated the end of its sad but distinguished connection with military repatriations of the fallen as servicemen will now be repatriated through RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire rather than nearby Lyneham. This means that the coroner’s inquests that have to be carried out for fallen servicemen will shift from Trowbridge to Oxford and elsewhere in the country. Andrew, a Navy Surgeon Commander who was recalled to serve in Iraq in 2003, said;
“Trowbridge town hall has played a sad but distinguished role in recent conflicts and I believe that a simple tribute such as a wall plaque would be an appropriate way to mark its contribution.
“Findings by the Wiltshire Coroner, particularly around the inadequacies of personal kit, had a powerful effect on public opinion and therefore on policymakers. In my view, the Trowbridge coroners courts of David Masters and his colleagues have made a significant contribution to the improvements in kit that we saw subsequently and therefore to the safety of men and women on the frontline.
“The town council has written to me to say it has no plans to recognise the part played by the old town hall. However, I will now approach the county council which owns the building and other organisations in the town. I would be delighted to hear from anyone who thinks our town hall’s contribution should not be forgotten as it comes to the end of this particular chapter in its history. Emergency services and the possible impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review on the frontline. Andrew said;
“I have serious reservations about the regionalisation of services and in particular plans to control the fire and rescue service from Taunton.”
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