Smell pollution probe under way

In his first week at Westminster, Hilton Dawson has sought out the speaker Betty Boothroyd to get an adjournment debate in which he will raise the issue of Nightingale Hall Farm in the Commons.

Hilton has already spoken to Agriculture Minister Jack Cunningham about Lancaster's 'smell pollution' problem and he has written to Geoff Rooker, the minister in charge of handling the BSE crisis.

"We need an enquiry into how we can safely dispose of BSE waste. I'm hoping to get the Speaker's permission for an adjournment debate so I can raise what is a serious problem in our area in the heart of Government."

In his first fortnight in Westminster, Hilton has been struck by the number of people who don't know where Lancaster is and he is determined to put the city on the map.

"The geographical knowledge of many people here in the capital is lamentable. Luckily we have a strong group of North West MPs and I hope to work closely with them to raise the profile of the region and Lancaster and Wyre in particular," he said.

It's been a busy fortnight for Lancaster's new MP as he works his way round the corridors of power and Westminster's arcane procedures. With two foot of correspondence on his desk each day, Hilton is looking to employ local people to help him get through his workload. He also has plans to open an office in Lancaster.

"These are very exciting times and the new Labour government has got off to a dynamic and creative start. On my second day I chatted with the Chancellor and I've also had a word in the ear of Home Secretary Jack Straw. All the cabinet are very accessible and so far I've been very impressed."

With so many new Labour MPs, one of the more immediate problems for members is getting a seat in the Commons during debates. So far Hilton has been one of the lucky ones - he's managed to get a seat every time.

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