March 2006 Archives
NO2ID have issued a press release about Martin Linton's speech in yesterday's debate on ID cards. In it, Martin Linton compared the amount of data required for ID cad registration with the data that NO2ID stores on its supporters. NO2ID national co-ordinator, Phil Booth, is quoted as saying:
if the Government is seriously suggesting that the National Identity Register will contain no more personal information than your name, contact address and e-mail address then why does the Bill provide for the recording of no less than fifty categories of information?
You can read the full press release at politics.co.uk.
Martin Linton gave a speech in favour of compulsory ID cards in which he described himself as "an unashamed supporter of compulsion in ID cards". His main point (as in other debates about ID cards) is that the bill as it stands requires the registration of no more personal data than the current passport or driving licence schemes. In this debate he even compared the required data with the data collected when you register with the NO2ID web site.
Read the full debate or Martin Linton's speech at TheyWorkForYou
I'm told (in a private email from a member of Martin Linton's staff) that "we have quite a nice new website, it will be up soon". Shame it's only "quiet nice", but I suppose you can't have everything :)
Unfortunately, it seems that the new site won't allow commenting as the office doesn't have enough staff to moderate them. It is, however, reassuring to hear that "if you saw how many emails Martin gets you'd realise that constituents with access to the internet are not shy in coming forward". According to Write To Them, 96 people used their system to contact Martin Linton last year and about 40% of them got responses.
We'll keep looking out and will let you know as soon as the new site replaces the current version.
I've just noticed that Tooting MP Sadiq Khan has a blog. It's been there since at least November 2004 so I'm not exactly quick at noticing this. It's not really a real blog as no comments seem to be allowed - which rather destroys the two-way communication that blogs can give. It's really just a PR site run on blogging software - but at least it's a start.
So perhaps now is a good time to repeat my offer to help Martin Linton set up a blog. Last time I offered I was told that "blogs aren't suitable for everyone". Perhaps Mr Khan can persuade his parliamentary neighbour that this isn't the case.
During this debate Martin Linton asked Home Secretary Charles Clarke to confirm that all of the pieces of information that would be required on the national identity register are already required for passport applications.
Charles Clarke agreed with this point.
Read the full exchange on TheyWorkForYou
Martin Linton made a long speech in this debate reporting on a fact-finding trip that he had made to Sweden to see how schools were run there.
Read the full speech on TheyWorkForYou
Martin Linton asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to extend the new deal for musicians to theatre artists.
Margaret Hodge replied saying that the new deal was only for musicians.
Read the full exchange on TheyWorkForYou
p.s. If anyone knows why Martin Linton was interested in this subject then I'd love to know.
The Wandsworth Guardian is reporting that Martin Linton has called for a total ban on smoking in the Houses of Parliament.
Read the full story
Martin Linton asked if the minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs would require the Rural Payments Agency to publish payments made under the common agricultural policy single payment scheme on a constituency basis.
Jim Knight replied for the government and a discussion ensued.
Read the full exchange on TheyWorkForYou
The Wimbledon Guardian ran a story on local MPs joining a campaign to allow Oyster pre-pay to be used on national rail. Martin Linton is quoted as saying "I have spoken to South West Trains about this and they do have some difficulties with the practicalities, but I think they should find some way of overcoming them."
Read the full story
Martin Linton asked Geoff Hoon if he could find time for a debate on special schools. He went on to mention the Vines school which Wandsworth Council (which is controlled by the Conservatives) are planning to close.
Geoff Hoon replied that it was up to local authorities rather than government ministers to decide on schools provision.
Read the full debate or Martin Linton's question on TheyWorkForYou
Martin Linton asked if the Commission would reconsider the need for a review of the Braithwaite report on the administration of the House of Commons. Nick Harvey said that it would be discussed in the near future but he didn't agree that such a review was overdue.
Read the full exchange at TheyWorkForYou
