Fischer Boel: QUESTION

Currently about 40 percent of the entire EU budget -- about €130 billion ($183 billion) -- goes to farmers. Will it be 20 percent in the future? Or is it more likely to be 39 percent?

Fischer Boel: I cannot give you a specific figure. Only this is certain: The amount will decrease. Farmers would be happy to get their money from the market instead of Brussels, after all. I am convinced: Thanks to our current reforms, the time of the grain mountains or wine lakes is over once and for all.

Support our Troops

Conservative Cllrs were shocked and disgusted at the Leader of the Council, Lib Dem Cllr Derek Osbourne’s flippant attitude towards the Conservative suggestion to recognise the efforts of our men and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In Tuesday’s Council Meeting, Conservative Cllr Robert-John Tasker asked the Leader of the Council what services the Council provides to military personnel currently serving and what services the Council provides to men and women on their return from overseas. Councillor Derek Osbourne had no idea how many of his residents are serving their country, and saw no need to publicly recognise them.

An ardent Pacifist who does not attend Kingston’s Remembrance Day Services, gave the impression Cllr Tasker was wasting his time, as he joked with members of the panel before getting around to answering the question. He dismissed Cllr Tasker’s suggestion by saying that he would not want servicemen and women to have to face public humiliation from the residents of Kingston not supporting them and their ‘unpopular war’.

This time last year, nearly 6,500[1] men and women were in the Regular Forces from London. Conservative Cllrs would like to emphasise that the brave and perilous work they do for us is no laughing matter and should be rewarded with public acknowledgement.

We are not interested in Cllr Osbourne’s personal hatred of the Iraq war, we are asking the Leader of our Council to support the men and women who fight and die to preserve our way of life and our democracy - an institution that Derek Osbourne seems happy to participate.

Cllr Robert-John Tasker said: ''It is utterly irresponsible for somebody in Cllr. Osbourne's position to completely dismiss the idea of a military parade for the bravest and most gallant individuals who are trying to bring democracy to countries gripped by civil war and tyranny. This goes to show the Lib Dems are not just out of touch with the ordinary general public but are clueless when it comes to protection of our people''.

Good Eating

Whether it's a top notch restaurant or your favourite sandwich bar, from
Monday 8 October you will be able to view their food hygiene inspection
result

Kingston Council is taking part in an innovative food hygiene project -
Scores on the Doors- which has just been launched in London. The scheme
will see almost every restaurant and food outlet rated according to
inspections carried out since 1 January 2007, enabling consumers to make
informed choices about where to eat.

Each business will be awarded a star rating following a food hygiene
inspection by Kingston Council's food safety team.  The rating ranges
from Five Stars (Excellent) to No Stars (very Poor) and shows how well
the business complied with food hygiene legislation. The rating also
includes an assessment on the structure and practices within the
business and their ability to handle food safely. Food premises that
fail to meet food hygiene standards will have been advised on what they
must do to improve and that, where appropriate, they could be subject to
legal proceedings.

As part of the scheme businesses are invited to display their rating for
customers to see. Whilst this is voluntary at the moment, it may become
a legal requirement in London in the future. All ratings will be
available for the public to view on the Scores on the Doors website
www.food.gov.uk/scores
Residents can find further information about Scores on the Doors on the
Food Standards Agency website at www.yourlondon.gov.uk/foodscores.

The rating system:
* 5 Stars - Excellent
Very high standards of food safety management.
Fully compliant with food safety legislation.
* 4 Stars - Very good
Good food safety management.
High standard of compliance with food safety legislation.
* 3 Stars - Good
Good level of legal compliance.
Some more effort might be required.
* 2 Stars - Broadly compliant
Broadly compliant with food safety legislation.
More effort required to meet all legal requirements.
* 1 Star - Poor
Poor level of compliance with food safety legislation.
Much more effort required.
* No Stars - Very poor
A general failure to comply with legal requirements.
Little or no appreciation of food safety. Major effort required.
Ends

Why ?

Forces Charitable organisations

Treatment Centres like Tyrwhitt House funded by Combat Stress has facilities that have been specially built to provide for ex servicemen and woman who are physically disabled and suffer from PTSD. Projects like 36, Grays Lane in Ashtead help families to get closure to loved one at the rehabilitation centre Headley Court; this could only come about by donations collected by SSAFA.

Charitable organisations engaged in assisting serving and former members of the armed forces and their families, saves the MOD £££, so why should 15% from donations collect during events held on MOD Defence Estate property go back to the HM Treasury? Would members please write to their MP or if you are on the internet go in to the web page http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/servicecharities/ and sign the petition