THE summer recess ended early at Westminster with the recall of Parliament last week to discuss the increasingly disturbing situation in Syria. The Commons was packed, and a lot of Members were keen to have their say. As Speaker, I strove to ensure that as many Parliamentary colleagues as possible had the opportunity to put their views, and the debate was both wide ranging and, at times, intense, which is understandable given the subject matter.

The House of Commons returned officially this Monday, and the gears of Parliament begun to grind into action for the autumn term. Similarly, with many people back from their holidays and the new school year beginning, my engagements in the Buckingham constituency have increased too. In the next couple of weeks I am looking forward to meeting with local residents hearing their concerns on a wide range of issues, as well as holding my regular constituency advice surgery.

Autumn is a season when I often contemplate how quickly time seems to pass by. It’s hard to believe that it is over a year since the Olympic Games, but I am pleased to note that the legacy will live on and, importantly, will live on in Buckinghamshire. I was delighted to learn that it has been announced that the Paralympic flame will henceforth always be lit in Stoke Mandeville, and start its journey from Buckinghamshire in honour of it being the location of the first Paralympics. I wrote to the Secretary of State for Culture Media, and Sports on this matter some months ago, and I was delighted by the announcement that will, no doubt, make residents of our county very proud.