Patrick Cormack

Westminster

Sir Patrick Cormack, F.S.A., M.P.
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA

Please note that I cannot respond to emails. Over my twenty one years in parliament I have, I believe, established a reputation as a conscientious constituency MP who readily responds to his constituents. As I receive anything up to forty letters a day from constituents the service that I give could only suffer if I also responded to emails. If, therefore, you wish to contact me you should either write to me or telephone my constituency office.

Surgery Details

How can I make an appointment to see you?

To make an appointment with me or to arrange for me to attend a function, please write to me at:
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA.

How can I arrange a tour of Parliament?

Please write to my constituency secretary,

2 Lychgate House,
High Street,
Pattingham,
South Staffordshire,
WV6 7BQ

The telephone number is:

01902 701 479.

When can I attend a constituency surgery?

Regular advice sessions, or "surgeries", are held in South Staffordshire; to find out full details of when these are held please contact Mrs. Sharman at the address above.

What sort of problems can you help with?

MPs are here to help with matters for which Parliament or central government departments are responsible, such as tax problems involving the Inland Revenue or Customs and Excise Department; hospitals and the NHS; benefits, pensions and National Insurance; immigration; school closures, grants and other educational matters administered by the DfEE.

How can you help me?

If your problem does involve central government, I may write on your behalf to the relevant department or official to procure a solution, or even see the relevant Minister personally to discuss it. This may help, although not all problems can be easily solved.

If there has been a mishandling of your problem or an unnecessary delay, I can approach the Ombudsman (Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration) on your behalf; if this happens with a matter for your local council, please ask a local councillor to approach the Local Ombudsman.

If it is a matter that would benefit from public airing, I can ask the relevant Minister about it in the House of Commons during Question Time. It is impossible to guarantee having a chance to do so on any given day. There are also other options such as Adjournment Debates, Early Day Motions, or occasionally a Private Member's Bill.

What sort of problems can you not help with?

Matters for which your local authority is responsible, such as council tax, social services, housing repairs, or schools on a day-to-day basis; private disputes with other individuals or with companies who have sold you faulty goods; and interfering with court decisions.

I am, of course, always pleased to try and give advice on such problems and to make representations on your behalf.

I want your support for a campaign. What should I do?

Please write to me with details of your campaign and I will decide whether I can support you or not. I am afraid I am not able to support every cause important to members of my constituency. If you intend to organise a "mass lobby" to the House of Commons, you must contact the Serjeant-at-Arms Department (020 7219 3060) well in advance. The mass lobby, however, is not the best way of having a detailed discussion with your Member of Parliament. If there is an issue on which you feel strongly it is always best to make an appointment in the constituency when I can give you my undivided attention. I have no control over the business of the House and sometimes, at very short notice, it is impossible for me to spend time with constituents who come on a Lobby as I have duties in the Chamber.

If you feel strongly about a certain issue you may present it in the form of a petition to the House of Commons. I must present this for you, and it must be arranged in a particular format. For more informaton, write to the Clerk of Public Petitions, Journal Office, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.

How can I get into the House of Commons for Question Time?

I am only allocated a small number of tickets for the Strangers' Gallery and demand is very heavy. I do keep a waiting list of those requiring tickets and am always happy to add names to this. If you would like to visit an off-peak session of Parliament you may be able to enter the Gallery without a ticket. Please contact Mrs. Sharman (01902 701 479) for further details.