THE Prime Minister spent much of last week touring the Middle East shoring up support for the action against terrorism and urging the Palestinians and Israelis to halt the cycle of bloodshed that stands in the way of peace.

Without a negotiated end to this conflict, the stability and security not just of the region but the whole world is at risk.

Recently, I have been hearing a lot about questions being asked of the Government in relation to the struggle against terrorism. Of course questions will be raised - that is people's right in any democratic society.

But, as the Prime Minister has said, we have to remember why we are in this conflict. Our objectives are clear, the strategy is right and the cause is just.

Unless we act, more innocent people will die - we must end the terrorist threat on Afghan soil and tackle the machinery of terrorism worldwide to ensure events like these can never happen again.

But we must also deal with the immediate humanitarian crisis and then help reconstruct Afghanistan, producing a broad-based government that can command the support of the population as a whole.

The ongoing saga of the concessionary fares scheme and Pete's Travel continues.

I understand Redditch Council is in negotiations with the company to persuade it to join the scheme.

I have written to the general manager of Pete's Travel urging him to compromise to ensure disadvantaged groups can use the bus service at no cost, as happens on the First Midland Red service.

I met the county's director of social services this week. The Government has just granted Worcestershire an extra £700,000 to tackle bed-blocking and our meeting focussed on how this extra money would be spent.

I was delighted further funds were secured as I recognise the distress and inconvenience caused to older people by bed-blocking.

This money will make a real impact on many elderly people waiting in the Alexandra Hospital.