Comment

THE children always look forward to the end of term and their school holidays - play is, of course, an important part of every child's early years.

But I'm not sure parents can look forward to these breaks from school in the same way.

In Basingstoke, we are fortunate to have some excellent holiday play schemes to help working parents with child care but, even then, there are still gaps and older children can prove more difficult.

Two working parents is a financial necessity for many families in our part of north Hampshire.

The school academic year was originally based around the needs of farms, with the long summer break put in place to ensure there was help for harvesting.

Is there room now to consider the more up-to-date needs of modern families?

THE support that we give to families is critical and that is why I am a big supporter of the Sure Start Children's Centres.

It was disappointing that Basingstoke has not had support from Sure Start until this year, but we should now see a number of centres opening up throughout the town.

One of the most important tasks Sure Start has is to ensure that families get the support they need to give their children the best start in life.

Research shows that the most successful Sure Starts have health visitors and other medical professionals at the centre of the work that is done to support families in those early years.

I have been concerned for some time that, as a result of health budget cuts in north Hampshire, the number of health visitors has fallen by 30 per cent in the past four years.

If Sure Start is to be the success we need it to be in Basingstoke, we need to see a reverse in the dramatic decline in health visitor numbers.

YOU may have noticed my office address has changed.

My Basingstoke office is now at the Conservative Club, in Bounty Road. I would like to thank the club committee and management for making me so welcome.

If you need to book an appointment to come to the advice bureau, please call 0207 218 5749. It is held at The Orchard next to the borough council building as it is more central for people using public transport.

TO CONTACT Maria, call her at the House of Commons on 0207 219 5749, e-mail millerm@parliament.uk or write to her at The House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, or The Mount, Bounty Road, Basingstoke, RG21 3DD.

3:28pm Wednesday 2nd April 2008

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