THE prime requisite for a frontbencher in the House of Commons is a loud voice.

The conclusion of the Budget debate on Tuesday evening was even more rowdy than Prime Minister's Question Time.

Serious points made by many MPs during the debate were completely lost in the furious political battle that broke out over the Budget and the NHS particularly. If you believe some Labour MPs, all is well with the NHS in their constituencies. Tory MPs who stress the problems are blamed for running down the NHS and using it as a political pawn.

I welcome the Budget with its extra money for the NHS but I have said the current waste, claimed to be £7 billion per year, must be stopped, and standards of management must be improved. I have not commented on the financial issues but the pros and cons of these have been widely aired.

Problems with local hospital services have come to a head and I am demanding action, for ourselves, people in the rest of the county and our neighbours in South Shropshire.

I attended the Young Enterprise Awards ceremony at the Town Hall and was amazed by the standard of the presentations and the entertainment value of the evening. I was very pleased not to be a judge and to have to present the awards only. All the schools that took part have to be congratulated.

I visited Chaddesley First School and was very pleased to see happy children doing very well with excellent staff. I was allowed to interrupt a stimulating music lesson for a brief talk about Westminster.

I also visited Stourminster School which has a crucial role in our educational system and again thanks to highly dedicated energetic staff, is producing splendid results and high levels of pupil and parent satisfaction.

I have had useful talks with district council officers about the economic development in Wyre Forest and aims for the future. Everyone recognises the need to put Wyre Forest on the map and to attract industry to the area. We must also promote the area for service and technological businesses and tourism.

I was delighted to know that Kidderminster Hospital Radio continues its service despite the limited numbers of patients at the hospital now. The aim is to keep the service going as long as possible in the hope of still being there when realistic services return to our hospital.