THE Health Select Committee completed five reports towards the end of the last Parliament.

The Government is supposed to respond within two months of such reports, and even allowing for the General Election I find it unacceptable that responses to three of these reports were published on the last two days of term, July 20 and July 21.

Two other responses are still awaited.

However, the tardy response to our inquiry into the prevention of blood clots (thromboembolism) in patients in hospital was so good that I cannot complain.

It recognised the importance of the problem and instituted the necessary urgent action, writing: "The Government welcomes the committee's report as an important milestone for Government to get a clear insight into the issue of preventable deaths from venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalised patients and to ensure that there is an effective and systematic approach to tackle VTE in the future".

How sensible and refreshing from usual responses that argue with findings and quibble at recommendations.

The end of the parliamentary session was marred by the further, thankfully unsuccessful, bomb attacks on London.

I was able to get home without much delay.

This year MPs will not be going back for a fortnight in September, as last year it was during this period that the hunt ban protesters invaded the House with such ease due to the chaos from contractors doing repairs during the recess.

Thus we do not resume work in London until October 10. I suspect that most MPs after a break in August use September for catching up with affairs at home, as I plan to do.

I am relieved that the future of the Harriers seems assured after the uncertainty of the last weeks and delighted to hear of the Joint Youth Project, the 250 Club, launched by the Harriers and fans recently.

It is such a sensible plan to take on promising young players as apprentices enrolled on a two-year local college course to combine football coaching with academic study.

Perhaps, with a smaller first team squad, potential stars of the youth team could get a chance at a higher level.

Further information is available on info@the250club.co.uk or from Stuart Watkiss at the Harriers. I wish Barry Norgrove and the board every success for the new season.

Shortage of apprenticeships and vocational training opportunities have been a concern throughout the county.

I was delighted to meet the chief executive of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Learning and Skills Council recently and to learn that in the two counties we are leaders in the provision of apprenticeships with 3,800 learners already on programmes and a further 2,285 expected to enter such training this year.

I shall be enjoying holiday time in August and I wish everyone else an enjoyable break and rest, whether they stay at home or go away.