Undoubtedly for many the highlight in Parliament this week was Dominic Cummings appearing in front of a joint Committee of the Health and Social Care Select Committee and the Science and Technology Select Committee. It was certainly a marathon grilling, and I only got to see a little bit of it, as I had Women and Equalities Questions at 11.30 and also took some time to watch PMQs.
This week my Committee has had a session with Liz Truss, the Secretary of State for International Trade and Minister for Women and Equalities and also with the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities. We have also welcomed three new members to the Committee, including Philip Davies who has made a return to the Committee after a year out. It will be interesting to hear his reflections on how or indeed whether the Committee has changed.
One of the other big issues politically over the last fortnight has been the phased approach to allowing amateur choirs to rehearse together again. I have received hundreds of emails from local choir members, and I am not surprised. We have many brilliant choirs locally, and I know the members of them get a huge amount out of not just performing, but being together as a singing community. Romsey Singers have been the first off the blocks with an invitation to their Summer Concert in July. To be frank, I cannot wait, the return to normal is such a slow process, but so important. Like pretty much every other MP I have been badgering the Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage to take steps to speed up the stages so that all of our choirs can get back to rehearsals as soon as possible and as normally as possible.
I am looking forward to a tiny trip round some of the nicest spots in Test Valley this week to mark English Tourism Week. What a great opportunity to celebrate places like Mottisfont Abbey, Romsey Abbey, the River Test. I know I am blessed to have the most beautiful constituency in the country, we just need to have some sunny weather to celebrate it.
