Out and About with Mark La0  1CSt
It's been a really positive month in Parliament, I was delighted to have been a 'Teller' for the EU referendum Bill which passed its first hurdle in Parliament, apparently it was a first to have to read out a result which included 'zero' members against. Normally if nobody opposes there isn't a vote, colleagues however were keen to make sure a vote happened so some shouted 'no' as well as 'aye' to make sure it happened with Labour unable to make up their mind and abstaining.
There was a slightly amusing moment as I had to discuss with the Clerk whether I should say, zero, nil, none or what. In the end he didn't know and told me to make my own mind up and with it Parliamentary history. So 'Zero' is now the approved term! I was equally delighted when my four year campaign to get the drug 'Khat' banned was successful after the Home Secretary announced it would be classified. Theresa May had a particularly good month having successfully depo ed Abu Qatada and overseen a 9% drop in crime this year.
This time of year is my favourite, not because the Parliamentary term comes to an end, but as I get to spend quality time in the constituency, visiting different organisations and doing my annual mobile surgery. This year I will be going around on the 27th to the 29th August. I am always pleased to see people, be it if you have a problem or if you just want to say hello so do pop by, a full schedule is below.
I recently visited Age UK to hear about the new Take Home and Settle scheme that they are running with the hospital.
Age UK have been working with them to t  and reduce the number of elderly people who are avoidably being admitted to hospital. The scheme has seen employees of Age UK based at the hospital and working with the staff there in order to help patients in the A and E wards ensure they have the correct support to be sent home as quickly as possible.
With similar schemes currently in operation in East Sussex and Blackpool not only fewer people having to spend time in the hospital but the hospitals are seeing significant savings being made as a result.
I am really impressed at how the two organisations are working together to suppo  elderly residents and stopping unnecessary hospital admissions. This kind of integrated health and social care service is to be commended and shows once again how well organisations in Milton Keynes work in pa nership.
With so many good organisations in operation and our local economy growing at such a rapid rate it is always great news to hear when more people are coming to our area to set up shop. Last month it was announced that the new Transport Systems Catapult Centre is going to be located in Milton Keynes.
The new £150 million Catapult centre for integrated systems is one of the first of its kind in the world and Milton Keynes has been chosen its location. It will work as a think tank for transport solutions for both freight and people.
This is fantastic news for the city and underlines that Milton Keynes is becoming an ever stronger magnet for inward investment. £150m is a clear demonstration of the confidence that this Government has in the city to deliver and will no doubt help our local area.
Last month saw Armed Forces Week being celebrated and it was with pride that I attended both the annual Veteran's Lunch in Olney and the Newpo  Pagnell British Legion Day. It is so important to remember the work of our men and women in the forces and be grateful for what has been achieved by them. I do enjoy the events and it is always good to catch up with my fellow servicemen.
During the week I also had the pleasure of meeting with Gunner Frank Apeadu to mark his return from Afghanistan.
Frank, who comes from Milton Keynes and is a Gunner with 32 Royal Artillery Regiment based in Salisbury, has been on two tours in Afghanistan and one of Iraq. He presented Milton Keynes with a plaque with a map of Afghanistan and the flags of those who had helped nation building on it.
It was a great honour to meet with Frank who has served his country on numerous occasions. Receiving Frank's plaque, which he has kindly given to the city, will act as a good reminder to all past the celebration of Armed Forces Week, of what has been achieved by our forces in Afghanistan and beyond.
As ever if there is anything I can do to help you then do get in touch o n 01 908 686830, othe ise I hope to see you while I am doing my mobile surgery this month.
Mobile Surgery Timetable
 Tuesday 27th August
10.00to10.25 HavershambytheSchool
1 0.30 to 1 1 .00
1 1 .05 to 11 .45
1 1 .55 to 1 2.20
Castlethorpe outside the Village Hall
Hanslope Market Square
Stoke Goldington outside the Village Hall Gayhurst by the Parish notice board Tyringham grass triangle near to farm entrance Filgrave by the Clock Tower
Lathbury by the Village Hut
Newport Pagnell as near as is possible to the Medical Centre Market Hill
1 .1 5 to
1 .40 to
2.00 to
2.30 to
3.00 to
1 .35
1 .55
2.20
2.50
4.00
Wednesday 28th August
1 0.00 to 1 0.20 1 0.25 to 1 0.45 10.50 to 1 1 . 1 5 1 1 .25 to 1 1 .55 1 2.00 to 1 2.20 1 2.25 to 1 2.45
2.00 to 2.30
2.40 to 3.00
Clifton Reynes outside the Robin Hood Newton Blossomville by the School Emberton near the Clock Tower Sherington near main bus stop Chicheley outside Village Hall
Astwood near the Swan
North Crawley by the Institute
Moulsoe on bend near notice board
Thursday 29th August
1 0.00 to 1 1 .oo
1 1 .05 to 1 1 .25
11 .30 to 1 1 .50
12.05 to 1 2.30
Olney by the Market
Weston Underwood near to Village Hall Ravenstone near to Church
Lavendon outside Village Hall
Phonebox Magazine 39