On Monday (30th January), Michael told MPs in Parliamentary Questions to the Church Commissioners that while Westminster Abbey and other Cathedrals charge for entry, "At Lichfield cathedral, the charge is voluntary, although the majority of visitors pay the recommended amount". Now Michael has apologised to a bemused House of Commons for misleading them. Because it […]

Chartered Engineer, Michael Fabricant, is urging local companies to join the opening round of the annual Manufacturing Excellence (MX) Awards, which closes for entries on 1st March. Michael says: "The MX Awards are internationally recognised as the pinnacle of achievement in UK manufacturing. Being a winner not only shows the rest of the world where […]

Michael Fabricant has co sponsored a Bill which received its first reading yesterday (31st January) which would prevent the sale of endangered animals over the internet. The Bill was introduced by Mark Pritchard, the Conservative MP for the Wrekin. Michael says "It is possible to buy leopards, zebras, sea turtles, chimpanzees, American Bald Eagles, mountain […]

In a short debate in the House of Commons, Michael Fabricant said that a voluntary charging for admission policy is always preferable to an enforced system like at Westminster Abbey where visitors must pay £10 to gain entry. He praised Lichfield Cathedral where voluntary donations are sought. The debate went as follows:- Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) […]

Michael Fabricant expressed his dismay at the announcement of the closure of the GKN factory in Lichfield to the House of Commons in a question he raised to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the competitiveness of UK manufacturing industry in general. Michael told The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Mr Des Browne MP): "I […]

Armed Forces Minister, Adam Ingram MP, has written to Michael Fabricant with another update concerning the future of the Whittington Barracks near Lichfield. Michael Fabricant says: "As we always suspected, the Ministry of Defence want to move the Army Training Regiment away from Lichfield. But the good news is the assurance from the Armed Forces […]

Michael Fabricant initiated a short debate in the Commons on the ‘missing link’ between the M6 Toll road and the M54 Motorway to Shropshire and Wales. He first asked the formal question of Stephen Ladyman, Minister for Roads: "If he will make a statement on the planned future link between the M6 toll motorway and […]

Following a complaint from a constituent, Michael Fabricant is taking up a rubber band litter problem with the Royal Mail "My constituent wrote to say that he has noticed a growing number of red rubber bands scattered around Lichfield. These bands are very noticeable." says Michael. "My constituent asks whether the bands could be recycled […]

Staffordshire schools, always badly funded compared with other local education authorities, has seen a slight improvement under the new funding formula announced by the Government. With the new system, now known as the dedicated schools grant, Staffordshire is now 132nd worst funded out of 149 local education authorities in England and Wales. (There are 150 […]

Michael Fabricant took time out from the green benches today (10 January 2006) to support a British Heart Foundation (BHF) drive to train people in emergency life-saving skills. Michael, who is a Member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Heart Disease, said: "When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, their chances of survival drop by up […]