THIS week it was back to Parliament, where I am looking forward to the ten weeks running up to Christmas, one of the busiest and most productive times in the parliamentary calendar.

There are so many important things to debate and constituents’ problems to address, beginning with justice questions, when I will raise the case of a constituent who was unfairly pursued by bailiffs after falling victim to an administrative error by the courts.

Following the reshuffle I kept my parliamentary private secretary post and am pleased to be continuing to work with housing, planning and communities ministers, under the leadership of Eric Pickles.

I am also hoping to be able to contribute to this week’s debate on gender selective abortion. I firmly disagree with the judgement that gender selection can be justified – an assertion that seems to me to contravene so many ethical principles, while moving us further away from the spirit of the original legislation.

Back in Salisbury, it is pleasing to see the scanner campaign going from strength to strength. My office, small as it is, achieved a 100 per cent turnout for Spire FM’s Bring a Pound to Work Day and last Friday’s event at Wilton House was a splendid way to move closer to the target of purchasing a second CT scanner for Salisbury.

The enthusiasm with which so many people are embracing the appeal is a credit to the importance of the hospital as a community asset but it also underscores the very real financial pressures on the NHS.

I was sad to be unable to attend the official opening of Sarum Academy’s new building but I will once again be supporting its excellent Democracy Day event, where I look forward to hearing lively and informed debate by students from the academy and other schools.

My staff are constantly leaning on me to take some time off and experience some of Salisbury’s vibrant arts and cultural scene as a punter, rather than in an official capacity.

I will be mindful of that on Saturday night at the Salisbury Area Young Musicians (SAYM) concert. I promise to try to set aside thoughts of the marvellous enrichment and development opportunities offered by SAYM – and just let myself be entertained.