It's not an 82-day holiday for me

Parliament has begun its 82-day summer recess - and the campaign group, 38 Degrees, is asking: "What do MPs do in that time?"

Parliament's 82-day recess does not translate into an 82-day holiday for me. I take a standard fortnight's holiday, with the rest of the time spent working.

38 Degrees wants the public to send in details of "sightings" of their MPs, as part of a project showing what politicians do in the summer recess.

I'm pleased to report that any constituents of mine lurking in hedges, or positioned on their balconies with binoculars, will find me very much in work mode.

Any time that is freed up for me because parliament isn't sitting will be spent in the constituency meeting people, attending events and meetings; or in my Westminster office with my staff, or undertaking ministerial duties.

- Another topic of public concern, is the H1N1 Pandemic. I recently dropped by the NHS Tower Hamlets' antiviral collection point to see how local health services are dealing with the situation.

I was really impressed with the staff's professional approach towards any potential risk, and it's reassuring to the people of Tower Hamlets to know that such dedicated help is at hand.

You may have heard recent reports that more than 184 people out of every 100,000 in the borough have required treatment with anti-viral drugs, so the service being provided will be tested to the limit in the months ahead.

- Jim Fitzpatrick is MP for Poplar and Canning Town