Over the past weeks a number of key issues have come before the House, including the Northern Ireland Bill and another statement on the EU referendum. I continue to campaign to leave the EU alongside others in the Conservative Party and the Vote Leave campaign.
I attended a Techfuture Girls event where I had the chance to speak to girls at primary school level on their extracurricular activity learning about cybersecurity. It was really interesting and encouraging to hear their enthusian for the subject. In my role as Chairman of the APPG on Engineering, I take an interest in looking at how we can encourage more women into STEM careers and I praise Techfuture Girls for their contribution in doing so. I also recently held an engineering dinner in the constituency with the aim of building partnerships between local schools and engineering companies based in the constituency. I look forward to having further meetings of this kind in the future.
As I said, the past weeks have been filled with many Northern Ireland related issues. I attended a Westminster Hall debate on victims of IRA bombings & compensation, and also chaired a meeting of the Northern Ireland Select Committee on the EU Referendum and Northern Ireland. The Committee also visited Northern Ireland this week to take further evidence on this issue and it was a useful trip.
Last week I also raised the issue of compensation for those who suffered as a result of Equitable Life in treasury questions. This is an issue I continue to press the Government on and I continue to be a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Justice for Equitable Life Policy Holders.
I also visited our local 131 Recovery Unit Reservists. They provide lots of opportunities and serve our country well.