07/09/2011 Look East - East

In Look East tonight: I do not want to return to the days of backstreet

abortions. That is not what this amendment is about. I am pro-choice.

Nadine Dorries is defeated in her attempt to change the laws on

abortion. Hello from Susie and me. Also

tonight: The MoD insists the Suffolk Apaches

are safe, despite industrial action by service engineers.

Closed for now, but it's not the end of the pier in Southend.

And what the car of the future might look like, and it's good on

The Bedfordshire MP Nadine Dorries suffered a big blow in the Commons

today when her attempt to change Britain's abortion law was heavily

defeated. She told MPs there had been

personal threats against her because of the proposals. This is

what she wanted - an end to the practice of abortion clinics being

responsible for counselling as well. She said the advice should be

separate and impartial and should have more focus on the alternatives.

We'll be hearing from Nadine Dorries in a moment, but first this

report from Katherine Nash. Nadine Dorries. She is no stranger

to controversy. Nadine Dorries was in the thick of it today.

Liberal Democrats seem to be influencing hour school policy,

immigration and in abortion. Does the Prime Minister think it is

about time we told the deputy prime I wanted to hear the question, but

I wanted to hear the Prime Minister's answer. I know the

Honourable Lady is frustrated... I am going to give up on this one!

After Prime Minister's Questions, a proposal to tinker with the law on

abortion has been attacked. She condemned the current arrangements

as a conveyor belt with no proper impartial advice. This amendment is

about one thing only: Providing women with more choice. It must be

wrong that the abortion provider who is paid to the tune of �16

million to terminate should also provide the counselling. At the

moment, a woman seeking an abortion must seek advice of two doctors.

What is wrong, say the critics, is that counselling and termination

provided by the same organisation is an arrangement which works well

according to British pregnancy Advisory Service. We support women

to make the choice that is right for them. It is a huge insult to

our staff to imply that they are somehow not capable of helping

women, but simply want to act as a salesman. It is not a new subject

for the former nurse. She told us four -- brain macro years ago that

she received death leads previously. But with no support, the imminent

was defeated. When I spoke to Nadine Dorries late

this afternoon, she told me she was pleased the Health Minister Ann

Milton had promised to consult on her proposals and bring forward her

own legislation next year. So I wanted to know if it would have

been better to avoid such a heavy defeat by withdrawing the amendment.

I divided the House today to allow other members, members who are

fiercely supportive of this, to put their names to this, but I was

there reassured by what the minister said. I would have been

inclined to have withdrawn it and not on for the vote because we won

the war. I was exceptionally pleased with what she said. Sorry

to interrupt, but you have not won the war. She will have a

consultation period. That does not mean you will get what you want.

The Department of Health will going to consultation in January, but

they have already acknowledged that they want to take the spirit of

this amendment and bring it into law by a secondary legislation.

That was made clear. We heard in that film report now from the

British pregnancy Advisory Service and they say they are insulted.

They are not Sables people. They carry out private abortions and are

paid �60 million a year of taxpayers' money. A lot of their

abortions come from the NHS. 96 % of them do. But they are paid by

taxpayers money, it is NHS money. They are paid to carry out

abortions. Don't doctors get involved in consultations? That is

possibly one of the biggest mitts of abortion. Almost everyone knows

that the consent forms pile up in the abortion clinic waiting for the

second doctor took sign them. The law really is one of those strain -

- strange bodies. Any Boorman and goes to a consultation clinic has a

consultation. Abortion clinics are under no obligation to offer

counselling, and in fact they do not. Part of the guidance is that

they have to ask for it. There is no counselling. Sorry to interrupt

you again, but surely anyone who is going to approach something as live

changing as this will have asked for all of the help and support

they can possibly get? At art I don't want to be rude, but that is

an ignorant statement. Most were men are sent from a GP to an

abortion clinic where they are consulted and given information

regarding the procedure. But they are not offered counselling. What

this amendment is about is for someone to offer it to a woman the

offer of counselling that is an influence free bubble, not by the

abortion provider who is paid to carry out the abortion, just

someone who can talk through their options. If when this comes back

after the consultation period, you do not do what you want, we try

again? This is not an issue that will go away. As I said, a for the

first time in 47 years, the spotlight is a shining on the

abortion industry. We will also continue with other things. The

limits, I am campaigning about that as well. Have your prats come from

women and men? -- death threats. The MoD said today there was no

threat to the safety of its Apache fleet, despite industrial action at

its Suffolk airbase. Engineers at Wattisham began a work to rule in a

dispute over pay. Let's get the full story now from our defence

reporter Alex Dunlop. Many of the engineers who maintain

the Apache attack helicopter are ex-military and have a strong

loyalty to those who fly them so they say they will enter this

action with a very heavy heart. They have stopped short of all-out

strike action, but as of 6am this morning they have imposed a ban on

any other time and a withdrawal of all good will.

The 150 engineers at Wattisham are angry that they can to Bart's --

their counterparts are paid more for doing the same job, servicing

helicopters. They say it is simply unfair. It costs slightly more. The

difference between us and London may be worth �3,000, but not

between Suffolk and Hampshire. The pay rise is still signet ring could

lead below the pay rise and does nothing to redress the balance

between us and little one up. We believe that the market rate is the

Hampshire rate rather than the suffer great. Their employer says

any comparison is simplistic. The cost of living in Hampshire is far

higher than in Suffolk and other local market factors play a part.

The Apaches are currently committed in two war zones: Over Libya and

Afghanistan. But the MoD says the action will not affect operations

overseas or where Prince Harry is training. The local MP says a work

to rule in time a complete is wrong. Unions of right to point out that

Suffolk workers are paid around �3,000 less than workers who work

for the same company elsewhere in the country. But there is a matter

of timing about when and how to take action to make this point. It

is wrong to go on strike when armed forces are at war. What happens

next? The company which employs the engineers says it is awaiting the

outcome of an independent review by the arbitration service into this

dispute. That is due in mid- air October. But the engineers say they

have negotiated long enough and there is every chance they could

coal strike action later this month. A police officer on trial for

causing death by dangerous driving in Luton was reportedly travelling

at 56 miles per hour on the 30-mile per hour road at the time of the

impact. St Albans Crown Court heard that 25-year-old Kerry Smith - who

was legally allowed to exceed speed limits, depending on circumstances

- must have had his foot flat down on the accelerator all the way

This is a case about two pedestrians knocked down by a

police car responding to an emergency. It happened in Luton

last year. Driving that car was this man, PC Terry Smith, who you

can see in grave. He is charged with two accounts of death by

dangerous driving. The two pedestrians had been walking home

with friends and had been out for an evening meal. The court heard

that PCTs method was travelling along the road with his lights

flashing, his sirens blaring. It is estimated he was going around 56

miles are now. In front of him was a silver Toyota, turning right of

the main road into a residential road. As the car approached from

behind, the other car started to turn and the two vehicles collided.

The police carpeted the -- hit the pedestrians. The prosecutor said

PCTs Met had misjudged the hazards in front of him and that had

tragically cost the lives of two people. PCTs Met denies the charges

and the case is expected to last Lots more to come in Look East,

including news of more wet and windy weather this weekend. We take

a look at the car of the future. And Mike Liggins has been looking

at the tractors of the future. This is the latest thing in

tractors. It has 380 horse power and can lift about 12 tonnes on the

back. That is after more news in Engineers have started work on

assessing the damage to Southend Pier. It was hit by a barge

yesterday. An exclusion zone has been set up in case debris falls

into the sea. The peer is usually bustling with

visitors at this time. Today its did quiet. It has been closed since

yesterday after a maintenance barge was blown into the end of the peer.

The accident has left the westerly site damaged. Where the Bard was

moored, the for way that it was supporting dislodged. Beat p up was

closed and an exclusive -- exclusion zone set up in the water.

Much of the damage could be to scaffolding put up around it. As

the world's longest pleasure pier, it has had its fair share of

incidents. This latest incident is the 16th shipped to collide into it.

I think it is very lucky. It is still here. It is -- even with the

disasters, she is still here. not the only peer in the region

which has been struck. In 1993, another PR was cut in half went

another barge went adrift. It is hoped to buy tomorrow, more will be

known about how long it will be before it reopens.

The Prime Minister has pledged his support for the eviction of

travellers living illegally at Dale Farm in Essex. Responding to a

question from the Conservative MP John Baron, he told the House of

Commons he backed Basildon Council and Essex police. The eviction is

due to start on September 19th. It is a basic issue of fairness,

everyone in this country has to obey the law, including the law

about planning permission and building on green belt land. Where

this has been done without permission, it is an illegal

development and so have those Stour valley Community School has

become the government's first free school to open its doors to pupils

in Suffolk today. Situated in the town of Clare it's the culmination

of five years of campaigning by parents who wanted a local school

for their children. But critics say free schools are unaccountable and

take money away from traditionally run schools.

It is a school so new they were renovating it this morning as

pupils turned up for their first day. For five years, parents in

this town and beyond have been campaigning for their own school.

They got it and only when they accepted that -- the government's

offer to open as a free school. There was a huge drive to have a

secondary education in a rural environment. It will never be

bigger than 400 or 500 pupils. We are in a situation where all of the

staff will know the children, they develop and needs, their fears and

concerns, and the parents former beat staff as well. The government

blames three scores will offer parents more choice and offer --

increase standards. This school is a major achievement

for people in this rural community. But pre-schools are politically

controversial, not least because the millions of pounds are being

spent on this school is money being diverted from more traditional

schools from Suffolk. 20 minutes away and it is the start

of school for pupils at an enterprise College. The numbers are

down here and that means they are losing money. A third school in the

area will mean that children will be Doro away from our school. There

aren't enough children in the area for that many secondary schools so

resources will be taken away. Parents here now have a new choice

of school. The question is at what price to the wider community?

The pay of the next chief executive of Suffolk County Council will be

capped. There was widespread criticism over the �218,000 a year

paid to Andrea Hill. Today councillors agreed her successor

will be paid a maximum of �160,000. There will be no performance-

This man is hoping to raise �50,000 for his trip from Switzerland to

his family home. He expects to complete the ride in 10 days.

One of East Anglia's historic waterways is to be used to

transport sewage. Anglian Water is to use barges between Ely and

King's Lynn. They will replace a fleet of lorries which make the

journey every day. Among its boats and along its banks,

there was something else to see on the river: A botched and sewage.

This was a dry run. We move millions of tons of sewage from the

small rural sewage works for two hour treatment centres. We have a

fleet of about 45 tankers moving that material around. We are

looking for different ways of doing that, more sustainable ways.

There would be two barges like back carrying around 400 tons of sewage.

Anglian Water say that is the same as 16 tanker lorries, saving around

for want of 1,000 Road bars every year.

This marina is the biggest business on the river. We think it is

wonderful, it is a real opportunity to get more commercial traffic on

to the river, which will bring income and so then it can be

improved. A politically it will help because it will help dredge

the river. -- ecologically. At the sewage works, this large is turned

into fertiliser for the fields. Within two years, a lot more could

There were two big events in the region today, offering us a glimpse

into the future. In a moment, how new design and technology is

changing the face of farming. Before that, cars. Manufacturers

around the world know that the clock is ticking on global oil

supplies and the race is on to develop motor vehicles powered by

new fuels. Today, some of the latest examples were put through

their paces at Rockingham Speedway in Northamptonshire. This report is

from Fatima Manji. Some of cool, others more practical,

but what all of these cars have in common is they are known in carbon

emissions. Whether it is whizzing around the track, or carrying out a

high-powered conversation, what happens here could decide because

of the future. Is this beautiful creature is

anything to go by, then because of the future are looking exciting.

This is a hybrid car powered by electricity and micro gas turbines.

It has just been launched this year. Organisers insist it is not just

about boys and their toys. It is very much the way of the future.

Low carbon vehicles, whichever technology we are thinking about,

and there are several good technology is coming to the fore,

electric and hydrogen. It will be part of everyone's lives going

forward. The very latest innovations are being showcased

here. This taxi is one of only two in the country. It does not have an

energy -- engine and is powered by hydrogen.

This feels like driving in a normal cap, but what is odd is that lack

of taxis and. This is a chance for

Northamptonshire to show off its potential. Home to Silverstone, the

county is well placed to test out car technology. If companies are

impressed today, it could a Corby the town leading the way. It has

had an ambition since the early 2000. It could readdress the

infrastructure in town centres. It would be a great man it --

opportunity for manufacturers. lot of the technology is still

being developed, but it might not be long before you are driving one

of these cars of the future. Coming up next, the new Klaas

Zerion 3800. As you know, we like to keep you up to date with new

developments down on the farm. If you didn't already know, it's a

tractor but not just any old tractor. It was among a vast array

of new farm equipment on display in Suffolk today. The exhibition,

called Power In Action, attracted farmers from across the region.

Welcome to the world of farm machinery, the 'Power in Action'.

Some have come to buy, others to look, many are experts, enthusiasts.

But if like me you do know much -- do not know much about the subject,

don't worry. This is a big expensive tractor for big farms and

fields. It can pull a very big Plough and has the latest gadgets,

including a computer which will steal for you. It is not the days

where you get any one off the street and put them in the seat.

These guys have got to understand computer technology and be able to

absorb the information. Each piece of equipment here today has got

some high skill level. The cost of this beast: �160,000. But if you

don't want to plough and need something cheaper, let's move to

what they call minimum tillage. This is James Clark who knows a lot

about these machines, but frankly I could not understand a word of what

he was saying. It is impressive for drilling. It is quite complicated!

It is. Seriously, this is why farmers want minimum tillage.

People want to get on with wider with machines to get over the

ground quicker. Because the window is short with the seasons, the more

ground you can cover quickly and get it so it is ready for drilling,

the better the farmer can be. there are machines, cheaper still,

which can, if required, cultivate and drill seed at the same tired --

time. Back with the tractor, the steering wheel wasn't required for

a moment. A quick game of musical chairs so I could watch the

computer do the hard work. I did have a go at steering myself. They

did not trust me to plough anything. Which was just as well because I

nearly put the plough in a hedge. But I now know much more than I did

about the world of farm machinery. Well done it to James Cark,

standing up to him! -- James Clark. Minimum tillage, we all learn

something every day. Let's get the The weather is continuing its

changeable theme and today, although it was not as windy as

yesterday, still quite a breeze. A lot of cloud across us as well,

producing some isolated showers. For this evening, it will stay

fairly cloudy with some isolated showers. The computer has not quite

got to grips with some of the rain coming our way so you might arrive

a bit earlier than the sea on the chart in the West, perhaps at 9pm.

It will be light and patchy brain macro, but it need -- could mean a

damn start tomorrow. Temperatures for tonight, we are looking at lows

of 11 degrees. Winds easing off a bit. Still a touching fresh around

the Norfolk and Suffolk coast. For tomorrow, he is the pressure chart.

We have low pressure pushing these fronts across. The winds will not

be as strong tomorrow, but it means it will be a cloudy day with patchy

rain at times. It will be difficult to predict where the rain will fall.

Some areas might escape it, but it will be brighter in the middle of

the day. More rain into the end of the day pushing up from the south.

Temperatures are likely to get to about 19 degrees. The winds will be

generally moderate, putting a fresh around the coastline. Through the

afternoon, still the chance of further patchy rain. It will tend

to diminish towards the end of bidet, and then you will see in the

evening, more rain expected. It might be just around overnight on

Thursday, but it should be out of the way for Friday. Friday is an

interesting day because we will get warm, humid air from the south. It

should stay fine, but right behind we have this area of low pressure,

pushing these fronts ahead. The cold front will bring rain for

Saturday and Sunday. Fine for Friday, the wind will pick up into

the weekend, as a fairly wet and windy this weekend. Of the two days,

Saturday looks better because the rain will clear it swiftly. More