Thank you to those who contributed to Barnsley Central Labour Party Annual
Dinner

On Friday 22nd October I attended Barnsley Central Labour Party's Annual
Dinner, which I thought was a great success and a very enjoyable
evening. The dinner, at Ardsley House Hotel, was attended by the
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Paul Murphy. Paul and I are
good friends, having entered Parliament on the same day and I was
delighted that he was able to address the dinner with an entertaining
speech. After dinner entertainment was provided by Barry Cheese, a local
comedian. There was also a raffle, prizes including a Mountain Bike, DVD
Player and a Hi FI, as well bottles of whisky and I would like to take
this opportunity to thank the donors of these prizes, in particular Mr
Barry Smith. I would also like to thank the Speakers, the staff at
Ardsley House, Tom Sheard and Mike Stokes of Barnsley CLP and to all
those who attended for making it such a great evening.

Eric Illsley

Say No To Scams.

I welcome the establishment of the new website www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
which aims to give advice to those who think they may be the victim of a
fraudulent scam, such as bogus charity collectors, internet scams,
premium rate telephone numbers, pyramid schemes and chain letters. This
site will be updated regularly. We particularly need to protect the
vulnerable from these cons so if you have any elderly relatives or
neighbours please make them aware of this website. If you wish to
contact me on this or any other issue please feel free to do so.

Eric Illsley MP.

Welcome

I'd like to take the opportunity to welcome everyone to this Westminster
Diary. I hope to use this as a way of keeping in touch with those I
represent in Barnsley Central and anyone else who wishes to contact me
on various issues. Feel free to contact me and let me know the issues
that concern them. I hope to put regular postings so please watch this
space.

Eric Illsley.

Should we ban pub smoke?

Should we ban smoking in public places? Government Ministers are looking
at this issue after there was substantial support for banning smoking in
Public in Labour's recent "Big Conversation" policy debate.

So what do you think? It's a question that divides a lot of people. On
one side are the health concerns of staff and customers who don't smoke.
On the other the right of smokers to enjoy their habit and the worries
of business owners who are concerned over losing valuable customers,
particularly as such a ban would affect pubs and restaurants?

We're used to smoky pubs, clubs and restaurants. Whether it's because a
friend smokes or simply because the only seats available are in the
smoking area, many non smokers find themselves breathing in second hand
smoke.

Medical evidence increasingly shows that second hand smoke is a major
health risk for workers and friends of smokers. As such, smoking has
been banned in pubs, cubs, bars and restaurants from Dublin to Los
Angeles. Should we do the same here in Barnsley?


"I want people to have their say on this issue. Therefore feel free to
have your say on this issue by either commenting here or via my website.


Eric Illsley