I'm Chuffed

This weekend was fun for me over on PolUK, I took part in my first Question Time session and there was a review in the Times on the Government vs The Labour Frontbench.

First to Question Time, Stephen Armstrong, Labour MP for Stirling, Falkirk and Grangemouth asked

Mr. Speaker,

Does the right honourable Secretary of State plan to have nicotine chewing gum prescribed under the National Health Service for those who wish to quit smoking?

My Reply:

Mr. Speaker, we have no plans on this at the moment, though, if things do change. I will ensure that the honourable member is informed.

Mr Armstrong Supplementary:

Mr. Speaker,

What is the reasoning for not prescribing nicotine chewing gum, when it has been shown to make great progress in helping smokers quit their dreadful habit?

My Reply:

Mr Speaker, As I said previously, we have no plans at this time, but to satisfy the honourable member, I will look into it and will write to the honourable member.

I thinked I managed a perfect Government response, I answered the question without actually answering it! LOL

Question Time can be viewed here

Times review.

Below is a copy of the Times review of the DHSS. Full story here (not sure if you need to be resitered to view!)

Health & Social Security
Milly Calvert/Rachel Moore v John McClellan



The dynamic pairing of Calvert and Moore has been the talk of Westminster Village lately. The pair appear to get along extremely well and mandarins at the DHSS have reportedly been rushed off their feet as the Ministers plough through a large number of objectives. Calvert has proved a less austere choice than many had feared at first and the union's have certainly warmed to her tactful approach. Moore appears to have taken a less public role, but it's understood that she has taken it upon herself to draft a number of important documents that the government hopes to launch in the near future.

Health and Social Services isn't fertile Tory territory, but John McClellan isn't having a great deal of impact. Although extremely competent, Mr. McClellan is continuously outfoxed at the despatch box by the wiley Ms. Calvert, ably assisted by briefings prepared by Ms Moore. The economic constraints almost certainly bode poorly for the future of social security and the NHS - there is ample room for the Labour party to score points here in the future if a concerted attack is launched and maintained.

As it stands though, there's no doubt that this is a surprising Tory win.

I know this is only a game and that but its great fun and when you see things like this written about you (Well your character) it is really nice! I'm all satisfied now. Write, time to get back to writing those documents and keeping the Civil Service busy!