ONE or two children are killed every week by their parents and carers and the NSPCC Full Stop Campaign does a magnificent job in highlighting these dreadful tragedies.

Labour in Government fully supports the aims of the campaign and recognises the important work done by the NSPCC.

Responding to child abuse is everyone's responsibility -- parents, agencies and the wider public. The Government is committed to reducing the number of deaths of children through abuse and neglect, much of which is associated with poverty and deprivation.

The Government's Sure Start programme will go some considerable way to help and, on Friday, I will have the privilege and pleasure of unveiling a plaque in the excellent new Bolton Sure Start premises, which have been completed on the site of the old Oxford Grove School. Activities at the Shepherd Cross Street centre in Halliwell are likely to include Training Courses, Parent/Child drop-ins, a neighbourhood nursery, and specialist advisors.

There will be group activities and rooms will be available for hire with a caf in the foyer and I am optimistic that Sure Start, in co-operation with the Council, will deliver a first class service for parents and their children.

Sure Start is part of the Government's drive to eradicate child poverty in 20 years and to halve it in 10. By involving parents and a range of agencies in initiatives to boost young children's development, it aims to give children in disadvantaged areas a much better start in life. Its programmes work with parents-to-be, parents and children to promote the physical, intellectual and social development of babies and young children, particularly those who are disadvantaged, so that they can flourish at home and when they begin at school.

International matters of Afghanistan, the Middle East and Iraq loom large in the thoughts of Members of Parliament. In Afghanistan, for the first time since the Falklands War, British Troops are in action. I have a special relationship with the Royal Marines and I have met many of the soldiers involved from 45 Commando -- our prayers and support should go with them.

As is always the case in conflicts of the type we see in Palestine, there will be no solution that does not involve agreement between the parties but the first step must involve the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Palestinian lands. There can be no justification for the scenes we watch on our television screens and, quite frankly, the Israelis, with their history of persecution, should know better.

In Iraq, Saddam Hussein is certainly a threat to peace and security in the world, but the most effective form of action against him will be with the agreement of the United Nations and the world coalition of nations that has been so successful in the war against the Al-Qa'ida organisation.

David Crausby MP

for Bolton North-east