THERE were two big events over the weekend that both, in their way, reminded us of the frailty of man. The Remembrance Sunday services looked back to a time (in some cases very recently) when man has waged war against man: the events in the Philippines reminds us just how frail we are against nature.

War is, of course, wholly man made. It is hopefully avoidable. But sometimes it is necessary, especially when the wrong thing to do is to stand aside whilst one group of people do evil to another. But what is right is that when we do wage war, we remember the sacrifice that was given by people on our behalf.

Remembrance services are far better attended than when I was younger. I suspect this is due to the fact that we are fighting more wars now than 30 years ago.

With three towns and just one of me, I rotate between Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport to join the services.

This year was Kidderminster and as is the case every year in all the towns, I am amazed and impressed by everyone turning out, including young children. I also attended the Stourport High School service of Remembrance on Monday which was a truly moving event.

Juxtaposed against the sombre and thoughtful remembrance services was the very real tragedy unfolding in South East Asia. The terrible typhoon in the Philippines is yet another natural catastrophe to hit the region and it speaks volumes of the complexity facing the emergency services that first estimates of deaths was just four people: by Sunday it had risen to 10,000.

Our response is to send aid. I receive many letters about our international aid budget but I think that this is a time when no-one would argue with this country sending support.

We have already committed to sending HMS Daring, one of our most advanced Type 45 destroyers based in Singapore, and a transport plane to help. We are sending aid packs for 300,000 people and anticipate humanitarian support for 500,000, and have upped the aid budget from £6 million to £10 million.

Rapid aid is vital if the death toll is not to rise exponentially. In a country like the Philippines, it is frequently impossible to get to areas badly affected. But I strongly believe that it is right that we do everything we can to help.

CONTACT YOUR MP

  • Email: mark.garnier.mp@ parliament.uk
  • Telephone: 020 7219 7198 or 01562 746771
  • Write: 9a Lower Mill Street, Kidderminster, DY11 6UU, or House of Commons, Westminster, London