Press Release

30 August 2006

Constituency Diary For James Paice MP 


10:30 -12:30 Jim will be visiting the UCB research and development facilities at Granta Park, Cambridge. UCB is a global bio-pharmaceutical leader dedicated to the research, development and commercialisation of innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology products. Currently UCB provides over 70 approved medicines within the UK, including Keppra® (for epilepsy) with many more in the pipeline.

Jim will be taken on a tour of the drug discovery process and will have an opportunity to chat to a number of scientists involved.

Jim said: "This visit will give me a thorough overview of UCB's operations, as well as an insight into the bio-pharmaceutical industry and the drug development process. Companies such as UCB play a vital role in the fight against severe diseases. I look forward to hearing more about the developments planned in the coming years to treat conditions including Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus and non-hodgkin’s lymphoma."

Photographer's welcome - please contact Jessica Gilbert on 020 7395 8936

12:30 – 2pm Jim will be visiting the headquarters of TWI, a leading research and development organisation for welding and joining, to discuss the development of renewable energy in the East of England. 

Jim will meet Dr. Bob John, CEO; Brain Cane, Head of Process and Power Industry Team; Steve Jones, Head of Knowledge Management; and Colin Walters, Regional Operations Manager.

Jim said: “TWI is helping companies develop renewable technologies such as photovoltaics, hydrogen and biomass, which have a key role to play in cutting CO2 emissions and reducing our reliance on imported gas. Renewable energy systems based on local generation are both a green and cost effective way forward which I am interested in hearing more about.” 

Photographer’s welcome –for more information please contact Penny on 01223 899538 

• On his visit to Grant Park Jim said: “These companies are leaders in their fields and part of the reason why Granta Park has established itself as the leading research park in the Cambridge sub-region.” 

2.30pm – 3.30pm Jim will be meeting with Soham Town Council. Closed meeting.

Thursday 31st August

10pm Jim will be attending first-aid training with Magpas at the meeting room in Ely Library, 6 The Cloisters Ely CB7 4ZH. Magpas is the emergency medical charity for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and is aiming to establish a scheme in Ely. 

Magpas supports community first responder schemes providing training, equipment and administration for the schemes. The initial equipment for each scheme costs £5000, with an annual maintenance cost of £1000 per scheme. All the services provided by the charity are only possible by donations. 

• Jim said: “A first responder team in Ely would save countless lives and reduce suffering for people involved in serious accidents. These schemes are often the difference between life and death and I am fully behind Magpas’s efforts to establish a team in the city. Volunteers and donations are required for this to happen so if anyone can help I would urge them to contact Magpas in 01480 371058.” 

• Photographer’s welcome – for more information please contact Christian Morris on 01480 371058.

1pm Jim will be visiting the offices of Oracle Consultancy Group in Newmarket. The Group was formed in 2001 and provides a one-stop shop rural business advisory and training service. Martyn Knight, founder of Oracle; Richard Tustian, Chairman of BIAC (British Institute of Agricultural Consultants); and Tim Passmore, who leads on internationalisation and climate change for Oracle will be present. 

• Jim said: “Rural communities and the agriculture industry have been in decline for some time and I welcome the role companies like Oracle can play in their revival.”

• Martyn Knight said: “We are calling on the government to provide assistance for farmers to re-structure their businesses to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Many ideas have been examined today including an outgoers scheme for farmers who are nearing retirement.” 

• Tim Passmore said: “With the advent of climate change and all its implications for water resources, plant and animal husbandry, the government needs to provide direction for the industry if it wishes to preserve the current landscape and rural economy.”