Bruce was at Walsall FC this weekend to present Walsall Football Club’s Community Programme with a cheque for £283,000 from the Football Foundation. The money will be used by the Community Programme for a three-year health and fitness programme. The “Walsall Winners” programme is supported by Walsall Football Club, local schools and the Primary Care Trust.

The presentation took place during the half-time interval of Walsall’s League One fixture against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday, 5th April. Supporters witnessed the substantial cheque presentation, which was presented to Mick Kearns, Manager of the Walsall Football Club Community Programme.

The Football Foundation is dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game. Funded by the Premier League, The Football Association and Government, the Football Foundation is the nation’s largest sports charity with a £45 million budget going straight into the heart of football.

We all love a good conspiracy theory. Most of them, however, turn out to be pure nonsense, nothing more than a rumour in circulation, or a theory given a big boost by the media or by someone constantly banging on about it. The obvious contender for the most prolific spreader of a dodgy story is Mohammed Al-Fayed and his theory about the death of his son and Princess Diana.

Hopefully, his constant and vocal re-telling of his version of how his beloved son and Princess Diana died will end with the inquest jury’s verdict, but I very much doubt it. Urban myths and conspiracies are as old as history. Some of the more notorious examples include the “faked” American landing on the Moon, the ridiculous claim that 9/11 was a US (or Israeli) government conspiracy, the endless theories surrounding the assassination of JFK, the claim that Paul McCartney died in 1966 has was replaced by an impersonator and of course the arrival of aliens in Roswell, New Mexico.

The problem with many of these myths and conspiracies is that they do very occasionally turn out to be true, or at least an element of them turns out to be true. John F. Kennedy had literally hundreds of lovers, one of whom was alleged to be Marilyn Monroe. This turned out to be absolutely true and this led many to believe, not unreasonably, that some of the conspiracies about his assassination were also true.

Like the Coroner, I am absolutely convinced that neither Prince Phillip, the Police, MI5 or MI6, or any other government agency, were in any way responsible for the tragic deaths of Diana and Dodi Al-Fayed. In order to satisfy Mohammed Al Fayed’s desire for vengeance (egged on by the media), the inquest has cost the taxpayer £10 million and that doesn’t include the cost of previous inquiries.

The inquest has heard from more than 250 witnesses. Before this inquest there had been a number of major inquiries, the largest, led by Former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens, concluded shortly before the inquest began. The Coroner’s inquiry has left few people in doubt about what he thinks about the claims. Speaking at the start of this week, he directed the jury to dismiss the conspiracy theories of Price Phillip ordering the Princess’ murder or that MI6 orchestrated the car crash. It is now for the jury to decide the final verdict. Having listened to the endless innuendo and accusations for over a decade, I’m sick of this bandwagon rolling on and on.

My view is quite conventional; their driver had a few drinks, he was driving too quickly through a Paris tunnel to escape the paparazzi (who the judge denounced as liars too) which was followed by an inevitable crash. We can all recall when and where we heard the tragic news. It is time to let Princess Diana, who had a number of connections with Walsall charities to rest in peace. This is most of all important for her beloved sons for whom it must be agonising to have even the most personal details of her life endlessly raked over, but it is also important for all the people everywhere who admired her. Mr Al-Fayed has promised to accept the verdict. I’ll believe it when it happens.

I’ve campaigned over the years to protect the Green Belt; it goes without saying that urban areas like ours need open space. Developers have their own agenda and no doubt some have already cast their eyes over the site of Three Crowns School. I urge residents of Walsall to protest strongly should the Council give permission to build on the site. I would prefer the existing buildings to be used by a school, but certainly not violating the green belt.

Those Walsall residents who were in the “Land Army” in the Second World War will be pleased to have heard the government is to honour them and acknowledge their contribution during the Second World War with a badge of recognition. Those Walsall residents who believe they are eligible for the award can either apply via the DEFRA website http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/working/wla/index.htm or if they would like assistance in applying they can contact my office.

I attended a poignant ceremony in the Art Gallery last Saturday to mark Holocaust Day. History is filled with barbaric acts of mass brutality and killing, cities and towns laid waste and their populations butchered. The twentieth century was filled with examples. The deliberate murder of millions by Stalin; the Nazi mass-murdering of Jews; Rwanda, Congo, and now Darfur. We live in supposedly more civilised times. Could it happen again? Of course it could, and the international community has to do more than wring its hands, send a few hundred peacekeepers or have people write to the Guardian. We have to do better.

We have to do better to raise educational standards too. The recent OFSTED report on Darlaston Community Science College was horrendous. It’s difficult to change in a couple of years the neglect of decades. Everyone concerned with the school should carry around on their person a copy of that report to remind them what needs to be done. When OFSTED come back in six months they will expect to see progress and again six months later. That’s the real crunch point, with severe consequences for failure. I personally will give both Education Walsall and Darlaston Community Science College all the support I can. One possible solution for the school is academy status. I’m very wary until I know more about where the money would be coming from and who’s giving it. I’d be reluctant for the local authority to wash its hands of the school by letting somebody else pick up the pieces. There has to be a very wide debate where local views are solicited. I’m in the same dilemma on fairly similar moves to change the status of local hospitals where they become foundation trusts.

Bruce George MP celebrates achievements of young people in Walsall South who have received an award in the Help Yourselves scheme at special awards ceremony in Westminster.

Bruce said, “I am delighted that the Walsall Street Teams’ Jigsaw Project have been recognised for their work. They ran a successful series of workshops to engage group of vulnerable young women most of whom are now back in education or work. The success of this pilot led to Walsall Street Team making it a permanent piece of their work.

“It is a great example of how young people can make a difference in their local community. Other young people should think about what they can do in their community and apply for an award through the Save the Children and British Gas Help Yourselves scheme. It’s a great opportunity to make a difference.”

Bruce has also added his name to an Early Day Motion expressing concern about the plight of young people in deprived areas; welcoming the awards scheme and calling on the Government to do more to support young people living in deprived areas. He will also be visiting the scheme in his constituency later this month.

Save the Children and British Gas teamed up to create ‘Help Yourselves’ – a small grants scheme aimed at empowering and engaging children and young people who actively wanted to make a difference to their lives and the lives of their community. Help Yourselves was launched in 2005 and since then over 180 grants of £1,000 or £3,000 have been given to groups of vulnerable children and young people to do something proactive to make their lives and communities better.

‘Help Yourselves’ was created especially for young people. It provides the opportunities and advice they need to change and improve their quality of life by being actively involved in making changes to the communities in which they live.

Roxane Brown, Manager of Help Yourselves at Save the Children said, “Save the Children is very excited about celebrating the outstanding achievements of young people at this awards ceremony. We hope it will also encourage more people to get involved with the scheme as it goes from strength to strength in 2008. The Help Yourselves grants encourage children living in deprived areas to actively participate in making changes within their communities and to their lives. Save the Children particularly welcomes applications from groups who may face discrimination and disadvantage in society because of issues relating to, for example, geography, gender, ethnicity or disability. ”

The awards ceremony also marks the start of the next stage of Help Yourselves - where bigger grants are going to be given out during 2008. The new phase will include 40 awards of £1000, 8 awards of £5000 and 3 awards of £10,000 - all of which will help children themselves set up lasting projects in their communities and really have a say in what goes on in their lives.

I’ve had a Parliamentary recess of contrasts. Most people will think it has been holiday time; quite the reverse. I’ve had a very busy programme. Before Christmas I visited Alumwell Junior School to attend a farewell ceremony for an immensely popular teacher John Oaker. It was a very moving ceremony, there were a number of speeches eulogising him. John has only ever taught in one school, Alumwell, and has done so for 40 years. It was his first and only job. He brought pupils down to Parliament, usually 90 in a week, for 35 years introducing young people to Westminster and London. When people criticise education they must always remember the enormous contribution being made by the likes of John.

On the theme of education during the recess I also visited Walsall College. I’ve been going to the College periodically for 35 years. The building is typical of the late 1950s, it’s clapped out and it’s about to be demolished. What will replace it will be a magnificent and well worthy of our town. Nearby there is being built an amazing complex for very high tech companies and the college should supply the computer specialists for this 21st century industry. Walsall is often associated with traditional industries, but the way for the future is to retain what we do well, but simultaneously move to a new dimension.

Elections have been very much on my mind. We are witnessing the chaos and bloodshed in Kenya, with possibly up to 1,000 killed. You may recall that I have headed a number of election observation missions. At the time of writing I am returning from Georgia, in the Caucasus having monitored the recent Presidential elections. They took place two days before the Georgian Orthodox Christmas. It was a very contentious election and two days after there is still some doubt over the winner. I’m glad our elections are not as controversial and very hotly fought, in every sense of the word.

May I wish my constituents in Walsall South and the people of wider Walsall the very best wishes for 2008 – and well beyond. I know it may seem slightly absurd but I would like to express similar sentiments to the town.

Many good things are just about to happen in Walsall – a much enlarged hospital, a new Walsall College, premises for High Tech companies, substantial town centre redevelopments and many other regeneration projects will change the face of our town for the better.

Over the last year or so there have also been substantial improvements in the local governance, particularly in the field of education and housing, which have largely been taken away from the Council’s responsibility.

Walsall has been a bit of a backwater, totally overshadowed by Birmingham and even by some of our smaller neighbours. The signs however are very positive and I would like to thank all of those in government, both locally and nationally, the public and private sectors, and many other groups who are helping to make Walsall a town for the Twenty First Century.

Bruce George MP has for many years been fighting the cause of constituents who experience difficulties in selling their properties due to the proximity of mineshafts.

Bruce has had a number of meetings with the Coal Authority and recently launched a further campaign, nationally and locally, in order to ascertain from local estate agents, valuers and mortgage lenders what their policy was in relation to this matter.

Bruce George said “The response to date has been poor - regrettably a number of building societies and banks whom I have written to have not responded. There appears to be a difference of opinion amongst valuers, some feel that mineshafts do not have appreciable affect on value of properties whilst others think that their presence makes the property unmortgagable. Prospective buyers also have difficulty in securing insurance, therefore, no insurance results in no mortgage! However, in September 2003 the Coal Authority introduced interpretive mining reports and an insurance scheme. It is my view that Building Societies, Banks, Valuers should accept the Coal Authority’s assurances as they actually under-write any insurance that is needed when properties blighted by mineshafts are being sold.

I have written again to a number of Building Societies and Banks in order to question their policy on this very important issues that is affecting a number of my constituents particularly those who live in the Darlaston and Moxley areas. However the problem is geographically greater than these two areas.”

Bruce George MP visited the Walsall Domestic Violence Forum and again was extremely impressed with the excellent service they are providing.

Regrettably domestic abuse affects 1 in 4 of all women. This indicates that there may be many Walsall women may currently be suffering abuse from a “loved on”. Walsall Domestic Violence Forum provides victims of domestic abuse with the support and practical assistance they need in order to ensure the safety of themselves and their children.

Bruce George said “I applaud the work that the Walsall Domestic Violence Forum is doing. They provide a first class service. However, I am well aware that this service has been funded through the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund via the Safer Walsall Borough Partnership but this funding ceases in March 2008. It is crucial, therefore, that Walsall Council and Walsall Safer Borough Partnership provide the necessary funding so that this vital service continues. They must decide now that the Walsall Domestic Violence Forum has priority for funding as through their efforts and the agencies they work with they can reduce domestic abuse in Walsall, reduce the number of repeat incidents and increase the number of offenders brought to justice. I urge them not to leave it to the last minute to make a decision.

The Council appear to be saying the priority will be on prevention of violence which could leave the forum with no role as it as if focuses its work on the consequences of violence and assisting the victims.”

Bruce George MP has written to Walsall Council on behalf of constituents who are wheelchair users’, and Taxi Drivers regarding hackney vehicles located on Bridge Street.

Walsall Council has allocated the right hand side of Bridge Street, facing Sister Dora for the black cabs but users’ and drivers are firmly of the view that this has numerous risks for both passengers and vehicles.

Bruce George said “The major problem arises when the drivers have to pick from, or drop off, at Bridge Street. Most black cabs have been manufactured in such a way that the wheelchair facilities are located on the left hand side of the vehicle. The ramps have to be use and, therefore, this creates an immediate danger and safety hazard as the left side door is the one which opens on to the on-coming traffic.

Bridge Street is very busy and is a main route for buses and vans delivering in this vicinity. The danger posed to the passenger and the driver, who is pushing the wheelchair from off the main street on to the ramp and then into the cab, is enormous. Businesses located on the right hand side of Bridge Street have also complained about the emissions from the cabs. I am at a loss to understand how the Council decided that the right hand side of Bridge Street was the appropriate area to locate the black cabs. Did they consult the taxi drivers? Did they take into account the needs of wheelchair users’ when they used the black cabs? It would make more sense to locate the taxi rank on the left hand side of Bridge Street thus causing no danger or difficulties to drivers and more importantly wheelchair users’.

This will be my last column before Christmas, I shall be spending most of it at home in Walsall. I am certain my telephone will ring with people requesting information or assistance and I shall be making visits throughout the constituency. I always pay tribute to those many Walsall people who will be spending much of the Christmas and New Year period at work. I’m thinking in particular of the Police, Fire and Ambulance Services, those working in the Health Service, the Entertainment and Sporting Industry, transport and many others. To them I want to say thank you very much for what you are about to do.

The government published last week a very important report on Cancer Services. Despite considerable improvement in prevention and treatment, which is reflected in much better statistics in terms of those surviving, the situation is simply not good enough. The new strategy will place greater emphasis on prevention and as such the Government will look at how to make progress in helping people to quit smoking.

I have a particular interest in Skin complaints. I chair the All Party Parliamentary Group on Skin. It used to be thought that Skin cancer was mainly a problem of Australians enjoying the plentiful sun, but the number of cases in the UK is worryingly high. Particularly concerning are the high incidences of malignant melanoma, the number of cases continues to rise so much so that it is now one of the UK’s fastest growing types of cancer. The government and the group I chair are particularly worried about the existence of unlicensed and in some cases lethal tanning salons. While I believe in everything in moderation, there are many cases where people are using these facilities too often. There are too many cases of people roasting themselves under the sun either on the beach or by working outside without shirts. All of this increases your risk of getting cancer.

The Big Lottery Fund has been running a competition to give away £50 Million of lottery money to one of four projects around the country. One of these projects is in our region – the ‘Black Country as an Urban Park’ project. The Urban Park project seeks to integrate natural and urban environments and will utilise the potential of the area’s natural, built and historic assets. The voting lasted for a week; I voted for the fund and I hope many of you voted as well. We will now have to wait to see whether the region has won this massive investment.