more … ]]> Duncan Hames MP visited Sheldon School’s Learning Support Facility on Friday 18^th November to meet with staff and pupils.

During his visit, Duncan heard about the many different ways that students are supported during their studies. He was invited to watch a history lesson in action, which demonstrated the school’s Soundfield Technology, a system installed in most of the classrooms in order to amplify teachers’ voices and therefore assist pupils with hearing impairments to better hear instructions.

 Duncan also visited the Positive Behaviour Base to find out more about how staff support vulnerable students during their time at the school.

]]> http://www.duncanhames.org.uk/2011/12/06/mp-visits-learning-support-department-at-sheldon-school/feed/ 0 http://www.duncanhames.org.uk/2011/10/24/duncan-hames-mp-statement-on-eu-referendum/ http://www.duncanhames.org.uk/2011/10/24/duncan-hames-mp-statement-on-eu-referendum/#comments Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:08:05 +0000 admin http://www.duncanhames.org.uk/?p=1926

more … ]]> Today, the House of Commons debates a call for a national referendum on our country’s future membership of the European Union. I welcome the debate, which follows a public petition of Parliament, and the decision to hold it at a time which commands the attention of as many MPs as possible.

The Liberal Democrat Manifesto at the last General Election said that: “Liberal Democrats…remain committed to an in/out referendum the next time a British government signs up for fundamental change in the relationship between the UK and the EU”. That was also the assessment we made of the Lisbon Treaty in 2008, which fundamentally altered our relationship with the EU.

There is no such “fundamental change” proposed today. At a time when the UK and European countries are tackling a global financial and Eurozone crisis, re-evaluating our membership of the EU would be deeply irresponsible, de-stabilise financial markets, threaten jobs and ultimately damage the UK’s economic recovery. I therefore do not believe a referendum at this time is either needed or in the interest of the country and will be voting against the motion this evening.

To the same end, I supported the inclusion of a ‘referendum lock’ in the Coalition Agreement and voted in favour of the recently passed EU Act 2011. The Act sets out in law a guarantee that the British public will have the chance to have their say in a referendum on any future Treaty changes that would transfer powers to the EU.

If you are a constituent and would like to discuss this further, I would be very pleased to meet with you at one of my upcoming surgeries.

more … ]]> On Friday 16^th September, Duncan Hames MP met with pupils and teachers from Frogwell School in Chippenham for the launch of the school’s new digital display, which shows how much electric the recently installed solar panels are generating.

Duncan Hames meets local young Eco Warriors

Duncan was pleased to meet with children from the Eco Warriors Club who are learning about sustainability through developing environmentally friendly practices in the classroom.

Duncan talked to the pupils about sustainable energy and climate change before unveiling the digital display, which also shows how much carbon the school has saved since the solar panels were installed.

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Duncan joined the Scouts for their annual event

Duncan Hames MP was pleased to join the Scouts for their annual Scouts Speak Up! event on the 18th September during the Liberal Democrat Party Conference.

The ‘Scouts Speak Up!’ events, created for Scouts from across the country, allow young people to attend the party conferences and offer them the opportunity to tell decision makers about the issues that concern young people locally and nationally.

In Birmingham, Duncan talked to the Scouts about how they can make a difference to their communities and make their voices heard by decision makers. After his speech, Duncan was quizzed by the Scouts about the issues concerning young people today, answering questions on EMA, nuclear energy and Libya.

For more information on scouting, please visit: http://scouts.org.uk/

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Duncan Hames MP meets Westonbirt Arboretum Director and members of Our Forests

On Tuesday 30^th August, Duncan Hames MP visited Westonbirt Arboretum to discuss forestry policy and the alternative ways in which forests can be maintained.

Earlier this year, many constituents contacted Duncan about the Government’s then proposed forestry policy. Duncan was therefore pleased to meet with the Director of the Arboretum and members of the campaign group Our Forests, to discuss the ways that English forests can be restored and protected.

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Duncan Hames MP and Dominic Cryer

Duncan Hames MP visited Chippenham Library on Tuesday 30^th August to see The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge in action.

This year’s circus–themed initiative focused on reading for pleasure as a means of building literacy skills. It combined a personal challenge – to read six books over the summer holidays – with social activities, a creative online element and collectable incentives. Every child completing the Challenge received a certificate or medal. Duncan was present for the parliamentary launch of the scheme in July.

During his visit, Duncan met some of the scheme’s volunteers and heard a few of the 5000 book reviews from Chippenham’s avid bookworms.

For more information about the Summer Reading Challenge, please visit: http://www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/

more … ]]> Duncan Hames MP will be visiting villages across the Chippenham constituency between the 22nd-25th August to meet with local residents.

The events will be an informal opportunity for local residents to come and talk about issues affecting the community or to just meet their Member of Parliament. Residents requiring a private consultation should attend one of Duncan’s surgeries, details available from www.duncanhames.org.uk.

The schedule for the Village Tour is as follows:

Day 1 – 22nd August

2pm-2.30pm: Beanacre – Lay-by outside of St. Barnabas Church
2.45pm-3.15pm: Lacock – Red Lion pub car park
3.30pm-4pm: Gastard – Village Hall car park
4.30pm-5pm: Neston – Village Hall car park
5.15pm-5.45pm: Atworth – The White Hart Pub car park

Day 2 – 23rd August

2pm-2.30pm: Berryfield – Berryfield Park play area next to Village Hall
2.45pm-3.15pm: Bowerhill – Village Hall car park
3.30pm-4pm: Whitley – Whitley Golf Club car park
4.30pm-5pm: Shaw – Village Hall car park
5.15pm-5.45pm: Broughton Gifford - Village Hall car park

Day 3 – 24th August

2pm-2.30pm: Westwood - Church of St. Mary’s car park
2.45pm-3.15pm: Staverton – Staverton Club car park
3.30pm-4pm: Hilperton – Village Hall car park
4.30pm-5pm: Semington – Village Hall car park
5.15pm-5.45pm: Paxcroft Mead – Paxcroft Mead Community Centre

Day 4 – 25th August

2pm-2.30pm: Limpley Stoke – Village Hall car park
2.45pm-3.15pm: Winsley – Outside Village Hall
3.30pm-4pm: Monkton Farleigh - St. Peter’s Church car park
4.30pm-5pm: South Wraxall - St. James’ Church car park
5.15pm-5.45pm: Holt – Village Hall car park

more … ]]> Duncan Hames is pleased to announce that he will be launching an e-newsletter for Chippenham constituents at the beginning of December.

The newsletter will provide information about the work Duncan has been doing both in Westminster and the Chippenham constituency with links to his recent appearances in Parliament and will be sent to subscribers every two weeks.

To sign up to receive Duncan’s newsletter, email news@duncanhames.org.uk with the subject title SUBSCRIBE. You can of course unsubscribe at any time by emailing news@duncanhames.org.uk with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject title – please rest assured that your email will only be used for the purpose of sending you the newsletter.

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Duncan Hames joined Melksham’s Mayor for the re-opening of Haine and Smith Opticians in Melksham on October 23rd.

Haine & Smith is a family run opticians, established in 1975, with 19 practices throughout Wiltshire. Duncan was given a tour of the newly refurbished practice and met with staff before finding out more about eye care in the area.

Duncan said: ‘I know how important thriving town centre economies are in this constituency. It’s great to see businesses like Haine and Smith investing in a service that they can provide on the high street. I was pleased to see that children and those on certain benefits can still receive a free eye test and complete set of glasses on the NHS’.

more … ]]> Duncan Hames MP has questioned the Prime Minister, David Cameron, on ensuring that plans for higher education are made fairer.

In yesterday’s Prime Minister’s Questions, Duncan asked: ‘Does the Prime Minister agree that, if graduates are to be asked to make a greater contribution to the cost of their education, in order to be fair those with the greatest ability to pay should make the greatest contribution?’

The Prime Minister stated that he was in agreement. He said, ‘We want a proper element of progressivity. That is what Lord Browne proposes, and we are going to amend that to make it even more progressive [...] I hope that we can get all-party agreement for what would be a good and proper reform of higher education for the long term in our country’.

For more information and a transcript of PMQs, click here.