I have today responded to the Government’s consultation on the South East Plan.

I have written in support of the very robust line taken by Mid Sussex District Council and I have also made the point, which I have always made in particular about East Grinstead, that it is quite wrong to impose these enormous housing numbers without regard to our inadequate infrastructure in the social architecture of our community i.e. roads, schools, water supply, medical facilities etc.

I made this point this morning in a debate in the House of Commons in which it was interesting to see how many other MPs are faced with the same difficulties on behalf of their constituents; the general rule that we are seeking is that there should be investment before expansion.

I was very pleased recently to have a chance to visit the Queen Victoria Hospital and its excellent Chief Executive, Sharon Colclough.

We are so lucky to have such a magnificent facility in East Grinstead and the whole QVH team is to be profoundly commended for their remarkable achievement in the ratings and their very excellent plans for the future.

Incidentally, I have also been very encouraged to see how well the Princess Royal Hospital ratings have also risen, confirming the local opinion that we are very lucky with our wonderful local hospitals.

The battle to secure our maternity services continues even though the Primary Care Trust has now suspended the Fit for the Future process.

It is the view of the Support the Princess Royal Hospital Campaign that regardless of what happens between Worthing and Chichester we will continue to press for a full range of services at the PRH and under the excellent leadership of Duncan Selbie, the Chief Executive of the Trust, we are confident that we are going to retain them.

Finally, how lucky we all are to live in this wonderful part of the world. The Autumn colours are truly beautiful.