By Dr Brian Iddon, Member of Parliament for Bolton South East

THE two busiest weeks I have had in Parliament started with a public meeting on Iraq on the evening of Sunday, February 23, followed by a car journey back to London.

Monday gave me a chance to catch up with case work in the morning, with various meetings later, including one with Charles Clarke, Secretary of State for Education and Skills, on the Higher Education White Paper (I told him that I cannot support top-up fees for universities).

After an early interview with GMR, I travelled to Bolton and back in the day on Tuesday in order to join the Secretary of State for Health, Alan Milburn, on a long-promised visit to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

On Wednesday, I travelled to Porton Down in Wiltshire with the Science and Technology Select Committee, to take evidence for a new enquiry into "Bioterrorism". I was back in time in the evening to cast my vote at the end of that day's debate on Iraq, voting unsuccessfully with 121 colleagues to amend the Government's substantive motion.

Thursday, February 27, was another typical day, with an interview for the Politics Show (BBC TV) on my Marine Safety Bill, and a meeting with Salford City Council representatives, who had come down to lobby us on the Fireworks Bill.

On Friday, I was in the House of Commons to support Bill Tynan's Private Members' Bill (Fireworks Bill) and to move the Second Reading of my Marine Safety Bill. Unusually, three Private Members' Bills passed into Committee on that day.

I had an Advice Surgery in Farnworth on the Saturday, followed by a visit to the Single Regeneration Budget celebration at the Excel Centre.

Among many other activities last week, including a fund-raising pancake race for REHAB UK (a leading brain injury charity), I was pleased to host another event for the Downs Syndrome Association, who launched their Education Support Pack, aimed at encouraging all primary and secondary schools to include Downs Syndrome children. The launch received a lot of national publicity, on radio and TV and in papers such as The Guardian and the Observer.

I managed to fit two Parliamentary Questions in during the week, one to The Secretary of State for Transport on airport security, and another to The Deputy Prime Minister on dealing with unco-operative landlords who are hindering regeneration schemes.

My advice surgeries are on the first Saturday of each month at 10.30am in Farnworth Town Hall (rear entrance). and on the third Friday of every month at 4.30pm in Bolton Town Hall (Dido Suite). Ring Karen (371202) or visit my web site at www. brianiddonmp.org.uk for further information and news.