MP Set for Successful and Eventful Conference

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 19th Sep 2003

This year's Liberal Democrat Federal Party Conference in Brighton (21 - 25 September) promises to be action packed, with controversial debates taking place on the physical punishment of children and GM products.

Conference representatives will also be debating and voting on five new policy papers covering the economy, social care, commerce, animal welfare and energy, as well as keynote speeches to be delivered on Iraq and the Hutton Inquiry.

Annette Brooke MP will be attending many of the leading conference debates and is taking a leading role in a number of events at many Fringe events.

Annette Brooke has been invited by Women's Aid, the country's leading organisation against domestic violence, to discuss the Government's recent consultation paper on domestic violence and the forthcoming domestic violence bill which is anticipated to be in this year's Queen's speech. Nicola Harwin, Director of Women's Aid will Chair the meeting with Mary Marsh, Chief Executive of NSPCC and Earl Russell, Liberal Democrat Peer.

Sunday 21 September, panellist at Women's Aid "Question Time", York Room, Hilton Brighton Metropole , 18:15- 19:30.

Having spent much of parliament's summer session debating the Government's Anti-Social Behaviour Bill, Annette has been invited to address the fringe meeting of homelessness charity 'Shelter'. Annette will speak on the housing issues within the Bill, and solutions to tackling anti-social behaviour on housing estates. Steve Webb, the Work and Pensions spokesman will also speak on Housing Benefit.

Sunday 21 September, Shelter "Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour", Consort Room, The Grand Hotel, 19:30-20:45.

As Liberal Democrat spokesperson on prisons and prison reform, Annette Brooke has been approached by a number of leading organisations to lead their fringe meetings to raise awareness of these important issues.

Annette will address the Howard League for Penal Reform fringe meeting, chaired by Frances Crook, Director of the charity. The fringe meeting is in partnership with the National Probation Service, and will focus on Britain's sentencing system and probation system and how the government should be tackling the massive overcrowding in Britain's prisons.

Monday 22 September 13:00-14:00, The Howard League for Penal Reform, "The Prison System: what is it for?" Lancaster Room, Hilton Brighton Metropole.

The organisation "Rethinking Crime and Punishment" has invited Annette Brooke to address their meeting entitled 'Alternatives to Prison'. Again, the important issue of how to cut overcrowding in prisons, how to better rehabilitate offenders, and prevent re-offending by prisoners will be discussed. As about 2/3 of offenders are re-convicted of a crime within two years of release, our prison system is not working and challenging alternatives need to be found.

Monday 22 September 18:15-19:30, Rethinking Crime and Punishment, "Alternatives to Prison", Seasons Restaurant, Belgrave Hotel.

YMCA, the young people's Christian organisation, is also concerned about the burgeoning numbers of young people in young offenders institutions. With 800% more under 15 year olds sentenced to detention now than a decade ago, Annette Brooke will discuss with a young offender "Incarcerating juvenile offenders: Is it Working?".

Tuesday 23 September, 13:00-14:00, YMCA "Incarcerating juvenile offenders: Is it Working?", Lancaster Room, Hilton Brighton Metropole.

Taking the subject of prison population further still, WLD, Women Liberal Democrats have invited Annette Brooke and Frances Crook, Director of the Howard League, to discuss the issue of 'women in prison'. In the past 10 years, the number of women in prison has increased by over 140% although the number of offences committed by women has stayed the same. Is prison really an effective punishment, when research shows that most women who offend have mental health problems and drug dependencies?

Wednesday 24 September, 18:15-19:30, WLD "Women in Prison", Ash Room, Quality Hotel.

Much of the Conference will be broadcast live on BBC2.

Annette Brooke MP will be available for comment and interviews throughout the

Conference. Please call Peta Cubberley on 07855 838233 for further details or page Annette Brooke directly on 07659 145193.