News Release

14th April 2003

WEST MIDLANDS' NUMBER ONE

The Birmingham Post reports this morning (14th April) that Michael Fabricant is the most active MP in the West Midlands representing his constituents in the House of Commons Chamber. The Birmingham Post which covers 60 Parliamentary constituency reports:

'He is one of the Midlands' busiest MPs and according to the latest official figures, the region's most vocal representative in the House of Commons. Michael Fabricant, the Conservative representative for Lichfield, took part in Parliamentary debates more often than any other Midland MP, according to new figures released by the Commons library.......... Michael Fabricant spoke 80 times and lodged 130 questions. He said: "I know some people think speaking in the Commons is less important than it used to be. But this view can be self-perpetuating. If Members of Parliament refrain from being active in the Chamber, they not only demean themselves - they demean Parliament. Besides, sometimes a Minister might admit something in the cut and thrust of the Commons Chamber which they would not admit otherwise, when they are protected by the ranks of civil servants and special advisers."'

Michael Fabricant now says "I am surprised I scored so high this year compared to others. For 3 months I have been locked away in a committee amending the Communications Bill which will shape the future of broadcasting, media, and telephone communications over the next decade. As a consequence, I have not been in the Chamber as often as I would have liked. Still, I am delighted that I have appeared to have done so well. Today, I hope to be questioning the Prime Minister on the course of the war in Iraq when he makes a statement to the House."