Page 18 - link magazine

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LETTER FROM WESTMINSTER
SLAY Hope for the world's poorest

Julia Drown MP, Labour MP for South Swindon looks forward into 2001
SHOE For many people across the world way on tackling set up an Interna-
one of the major objectives for the debt. Twenty of tional Criminal
/ SALE/ year 2000 was to have the debts of the 41 heavily in- Court, so I was
f the world's poorest nations writ- debted poor delighted a Bill on
NOW ten off. countries will be that subject will
I was impressed and proud that getting debt re- be introduced.
so many people in Swindon have lief via the IMF In Swindon we
taken such an active interest in and World Bank. will see good
Reductions on all brands debt relief. Many constituents have The remaining 21 progress on our
written to me on the issue and have not quali- new hospital and
Bath Road Corner
have campaigned for action to ben- fied for help un- I will be working
Old Town efit the world's poorest countries. der the current for more rehabili-
Tel: 534271 The UK Government has led the international tation beds, con-
rules because of tinuing expan-
civil wars or sion of NHS den-
other factors. tistry and more
Following investment in
Gordon Brown's Julia Drown with members of the schools. And, af-
and Clare Short's ter putting in a lot
World Development Movement to
announcement promote Fairtrade last year or work over
in December, many months on
these countries will also benefit improving our bus services, I am
from one hundred per cent relief also optimistic that in 2001 we will
on their debts to the UK. In the finally see significant moves to-
short term, Britain will still collect wards the efficient and reliable bus
payments from these countries and services that Swindon deserves.
the money will be held in trust for I hope everyone has had an en-
the time when they become eligi- joyable break and that the New
ble for debt relief. I hope our inter- Year will bring peace and prosper-
national partners will follow Brit- ity to all.
ain in renouncing any future ben- To get in touch with me on any
efits from debt interest. issue, please write to 13 Bath Road,
December saw the Queen's Swindon SN1 4AS. Tel: 615444.
Speech, laying down Labour's pro- [email protected]
posals for this session of Parlia-
ment. The main focus is on health
and crime with legislation to intro- Wake up to a
DEACONS' disorderly behaviour in public Fairtrade breakfast
•.• duce fixed penalties for offences of
places, to allow the confiscation of Breakfast, some people say, is the
drug traffickers' passports and to most important meal of the day,
give police powers to close licensed but have you ever thought how it
premises immediately to deal with affects farmers and growers over-
seas?, writes Ben Hammond.
disorder. Whether you prefer tea or coffee
Also announced were two new
Bills on health. The Health and and cereal, or hot chocolate and a
croissant, you can give the pro-
Social Care Bill will help to deliver ducers a fair deal by buying items
the vision outlined in the new NHS displaying the Fairtrade Mark.
plan. It will legislate for nursing With this in mind, the Wiltshire
care to be provided free to those in Fairtrade Coalition is making
China, crystal, cutlery nursing homes, for health and so- breakfast its theme for Fairtrade
cial services to work more closely Fortnight from 5 to 18 March. They
together and extend the arrange- are looking for people to organise
jewellery, clocks, ments for nurses and other health events to promote the work to
professionals to prescribe medi- guarantee fair wages for farmers
cines where appropriate, which and decent working conditions
watches will help patients get the right treat- using farming practices that re-
ment more quickly and easily. spect the local and global environ-
The Tobacco Advertising and ment.
Deacon & Son (Swindon) Ltd Promotion Bill will set out the time- The Wiltshire Fairtrade Coali-
Est 1848 table to end all tobacco advertis- tionincludes Wiltshire Agenda 21,
ing, including promotion and Christian Aid, Oxfam, the World
11 - 15 Wood Street sponsorship. Development Movement, local
I am pleased that for the second authorities and local Fairtrade
Old Town, Swindon year running there will be legisla- groups.
Tel: 01793 522072/527530 tion that I have particularly lob- For a free action pack about or-
bied for. Last year, I spoke in a ganising a breakfast, call Ben
Fax: 01793 480149 parliamentary debate for the pro- Hammond or Lindsey Allen on
tection of wildlife. I also lobbied 01380 729 218 or e-mail
www.deacons-jewellers.com
the Prime Minister on the need to [email protected]