Charing Cross Focus of MP�s Maiden Speech

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Greg Hands makes his debut in the House of Commons

Newly elected Member of Parliament for Hammersmith & Fulham, Greg Hands, delivered his Maiden Speech in the House of Commons yesterday (Thursday 26 May 2005), focusing his comments on Charing Cross Hospital.

Praising the clinical record of Charing Cross Hospital, Greg criticised reported plans to either close or downsize the Fulham Palace Road based teaching hospital, saying he looked forward to 'winning the battle' with the Government on the issue.

The campaign to save Charing Cross Hospital formed a central part of Greg�s election campaign � and says he has made the matter his top priority in Parliament.

Within days of being elected, the Hammersmith & Fulham MP had also tabled a number of Written Parliamentary Questions to Ministers about plans for the Charing Cross Hospital � which are due for answer within the next week.

As is customary in Maiden Speeches, Greg also spoke about key features of the Hammersmith & Fulham constituency and talked briefly about his predecessors.

Commenting after his speech, Greg said, �It is vitally important for patients in Hammersmith & Fulham that the Charing Cross Hospital remains on its current site, with all of its current services. Any transfer of services to Hammersmith Hospital would be a disaster for local people, as it is extremely inaccessible by road and public transport.

He pledged to continue to fight on the issue until the matter is resolved.

May 29, 2005