BY Dr Brian Iddon, MP for Bolton South east

IN the last few weeks, I have made five speeches in Parliament -- at the European Standing Committee C, where I spoke against two European Union Directives on herbal substances; on the Government's Energy Policy in the main chamber; on Kashmir at a meeting held in the Moses room; in the Westminster Hall chamber on "The Safety of Ships and Seafarers at Sea"; and, again in Westminster Hall, on the Research Assessment Exercise in Universities.

With two meetings a week of the Science and Technology Select Committee during those weeks, this has been a particularly busy period for me.

It has been made even busier through my volunteering to join the Police Force Parliamentary Scheme, which involves me spending 30 days with Greater Manchester Police this year. I have completed Phase 1, which involved visiting each Department at the GMP HQ. Now I am "on the beat" (Phase 11) and have completed two early shifts (7am-3pm) and two middle shifts (3pm-1am) so far.

Many constituents have written to me about the European Directives on herbal substances, worried that many of them will be taken off the shelves in health food shops. In addition to the speech, I have been to see the Ministers concerned -- Hazel Blears and Lord Hunt -- written letters to them and put down an Early Day Motion. I am pleased to say that Lord Hunt agreed to extend the consultation period until the end of July.

Recently I lobbied for The Royal Bolton Hospital to receive money to complete their conversions of Nightingale Wards, and I was pleased when they received £1m a few days ago. I also lobbied for the new renal dialysis unit, which will mean that my constituents will not have to travel to Salford when it is completed. The new building to house the new scanner at the hospital is also nearing completion.

Congratulations too to St James CE Secondary School at Farnworth, who have just received £1.2m to build a new sports hall. I was pleased to be able to lobby Government on their behalf also.

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 website at wwwbrianiddonmp.org.uk for further information and news.