By Dr Brian Iddon, MP for Bolton South East

I HAVE been visiting primary and secondary schools recently as part of UNICEF's "Put It To Your MP" campaign, and I want to thank all those schools that took part and all the pupils who contributed to the many lively discussions.

One topic topped all others. It was the state of our environment -- litter, the lack of litter bins, the state of Bolton's arterial road approaches, vandalism, particularly in our parks and to play equipment, gum stuck to all our pavements, dog fouling of pavements and grassed areas, the lack of recycling schemes in Bolton, derelict buildings, dumped cars, traffic congestion and the effects of global warming. Congratulations therefore to the Bolton Evening News for its timely "Pride of Bolton" campaign.

The children I met were concerned too about peace in the World. As Secretary to the All-Party Parliamentary Britain-Palestine Group, I have been concerned since my election to Parliament in 1997 about the situation in the Middle East, which has now deteriorated to such a degree that it endangers the whole world.

I have always believed that right wing Israelis, led now by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, want to collapse the Palestinian Authority and remove President Arafat from power. This is an extremely dangerous policy for us all. Despite the recent declaration by the Arab States at their meeting in Beirut that they are now all prepared to recognise the State of Israel, I cannot see them stand by for much longer and take what is happening to the Palestinians without retaliation.

Sharon must bear responsibility for the increased loss of Israeli and Palestinian life. Palestinians are now queuing up to martyr themselves as suicide bombers; even young women have joined their ranks, a sign of how desperate the situation has become. While I do not condone this action, I can understand why Palestinians are driven to it. Now Sharon has declared war officially!

While it is true that only the Americans can stop further escalation of this conflict, the British Government, and Europe in general, must stop sitting on the fence and do much more to establish peace in the Middle East. Easter seems like a good time to focus on peace in that region.

For further advice and details of my Advice Surgeries, contact Karen on 01204 371202 or visit our website - wwwbrianiddonmp.org.uk HERE where we post all our information, including press releases.