WHAT CAN YOUR MP DO TO HELP YOU?

(Information taken from House of Commons fact sheet 'You and Your MP')

Peter Viggers is the MP for the Gosport constituency, which also includes the areas of Lee-on-the-Solent, Stubbington and Hill Head. If you live outside this area and would like to find out about your MP, you can use the Constituency Locata service at http://www.locata.co.uk/commons.

Your MP cannot help you in private disputes with other individuals or with companies, nor is he able to interfere with decisions made by courts.

If you feel that your problem really concerns the council rather than central government, then you should contact your local council or councillor direct.

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR MP

By letter:
You can write to Peter, either at the House of Commons or at his constituency office. Writing a letter about a problem is a good idea as you can set out the information more clearly and in more depth than may be possible by telephone. A letter is also useful because the written details of your case can be referred back to if they are needed later.
In Parliament: House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA
In the constituency: 167 Stoke Road, Gosport, Hants, PO12 1SE

By telephone:
You can contact Peter's office at the House of Commons on (020) 7219 4091. Alternatively, you may wish to telephone his constituency office in Gosport on (023) 9252 2121.

By fax:
Peter's fax number in Westminster is (020) 7219 3985. If you would prefer to send a fax to the local constituency office, the number is (023) 9252 7624.

By email: You can email Peter at duggang@parliament.uk. All emails are, of course, dealt with in confidence.

In person: When the House of Commons is sitting, you are allowed access to the Central Lobby to see your MP. It is always best to make an appointment, however, as he may have other appointments or engagements elsewhere and might not be available to see you.

HOW YOUR MP DEALS WITH PROBLEMS

Where your problem does involve central government, your MP has a number of methods available to try to resolve the matter:

• A letter from your MP to the relevant department or official will often provide a solution.
  
• If not, your MP may decide to take matters a stage further by writing to the Minister involved, or even making an appointment to see the Minister personally.
  

CAMPAIGNS AND LOBBYING

MPs are often contacted by constituents campaigning on behalf of a particular cause, perhaps representing an organised pressure group. It will be for your MP to decide whether to take any action. If you are intending to organise a 'mass lobby' to the House of Commons you must contact the Serjeant at Arms Department (020 7219 3060) well in advance.

TOURS OF THE PALACE OF WESTMINSTER

Only MPs can issue passes to allow constituents to tour the Palace of Westminster. Times and numbers are limited, and tours are in great demand, so you should contact your MP's office at least 2-3 months in advance. It will also help if you can be as flexible as possible in your choice of date.

VISITS TO THE STRANGERS' GALLERY OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

MPs have only two tickets approximately every ten days to give to constituents for the Strangers' Gallery, so demand is very heavy. Tickets from MPs are the only way to secure entry for such popular sessions as Question Time. If you can visit at an off-peak time, then tickets are not always necessary. (Further information can be obtained from the House of Commons Information Office).