From the beginning I have backed the release of all the files relating to the Hillsborough football disaster and I am pleased that it may now be debated in Parliament as Government continues to cover this up. We have a right to know everything that happened so that lessons can be fully learned. The culture of secrecy in British Government is one that needs breaking up. I would open up all Government files after 50 years old, not the current 100 years, with no exceptions and I would open up Government papers after 20 years rather than the current 30 so that we can see what really happened at the heart of the state.

Eighteen months ago the Hospital Trust in Doncaster announced that the maternity unit in Bassetlaw was dangerous. They spent a lot of money on a flawed report from a Dr de Bono who recommended that 1200 of the 1600 births shift to Doncaster.  I spoke personally with him to confirm this.

I challenged this as did many others and the top dog at Doncaster, Peter Reading led the first in a series of attacks on me, even wasting scarce money on newspaper ads to back his cuts crusade. Now we learn that to make this change would endanger babies and mothers lives. Which is exactly what we told the hospital bosses at the time! They accused us of scaremongering, now they have done a bigger u-turn than Nick Clegg.

Peter Reading, the driving force behind the greater Doncaster Hospital idea now states that he ‘strongly backs’ the continuation of maternity at Bassetlaw. Eighteen months of dirty tricks, misleading information, uncertainty and we get to this. What a tremendous waste of time, money and energy. I understand that Dr Reading leaves in a week’s time. Thank you and goodbye.

Meanwhile civilian staff at Notts Police are going to strike over cuts, while more details emerge about the impact of closing Worksop police cells. New vehicles need to be bought to transport prisoners from Worksop to elsewhere, while top brass have been rewarded with a bonus for making these cuts and I hear a new Audi car for them to drive about in. The Fire Service is proposing to reduce cover at Retford fire station - have you been consulted yet?

You will be, as I am now calling a full consultation ballot on all of these cuts and I need volunteers to deliver the ballot papers on the hospital, police and fire service cuts. 999 services are under threat in this area and we need to show how unhappy we are at this. Please volunteer on 01909 506200 and mannj@parliament.uk.