This week we marked Breast Cancer Awareness month with a number of events in Parliament. This included the annual "Wear It Pink" photocall on Wednesday as well as an event with the Estée Lauder companies and some incredible women striving to make sure crucial messages about Breast Cancer are communicated to under-represented groups.  The decorations in the terrace marquee were phenomenal and the pink themed cream tea was absolutely delicious.  But there was an important message about screening and self-checking, and making sure everyone knew the signs of Breast Cancer.

On Monday I attended the launch of the Top Tech Startup Report, which highlighted Romsey is the 27th highest constituency for tech entrepreneurs.  I have no doubt that is in part due to the Southampton University Science Park at Chilworth, and the fostering of start ups through their incubator.  The Start Up coalition were in Parliament to launch the report and talk about the importance of access to funding.  Next month the Google Digital Garage is coming to the Science Park with their free digital skills programme and I am looking forward to being back at the Science Park to catch up with all that is happening there.

Later this week I am at the Stop Domestic Abuse AGM in Eastleigh. There is still much to do to tackle violence against women and girls, and at the start of the week I was at an event with the Home Secretary and female lobby journalists talking about VAWG, the progress made and the further work still needed.

On Wednesday Kim Leadbeater introduced her Private Members Bill on assisted dying.  It is nearly 10 years since this was last the subject of a PMB, and I know Kim did not decide to introduce this legislation lightly.  I will undoubtedly end up chairing some of the Commons stages, and of course must remain scrupulously impartial. But I am very interested in constituents' views on this and very much hope to hear from as many as possible. 

 

Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP

Member of Parliament for Romsey and Southampton North 

Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons