I started the week with a radio interview regarding the shortage of heavy goods vehicle drivers and how we might tackle the problem. Following the interview, I held a meeting with the Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government about the running of multi-occupied premises, such as homes for old people, and how the relationship between the two could be improved. I will have further dialogue with him on this issue in the near future.
Today I had the opportunity to meet our High Commissioner to New Zealand to discuss various issues, and also with a representative of the government of Montserrat.
In addition to this, I attended a very informative briefing on bovine TB by the British Veterinary Association to discuss how best to counter the disease. The British Ventinary Association had also been in Parliament the previous week to brief us on what they saw as their main campaigns for the year, which included bovine TB and CCTV in Slaughterhouses.
The Road Haulage Association held a reception also which I had the opportunity to attend (as pictured).
I also attended a finance meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). I am a member of the Executive Committee and also the Finance Committee of the CPA.
I will have further engagements this week.