Part of the parliamentary process is the setting up and organisation of so called All Party Parliamentary Groups on a variety of issues, topics of interest and policy areas. These enable MPs to join together in a non partisan group to discuss matters of mutual interest.

I myself am a member of quite a few and have found it very helpful to be involved.

Whilst it is not easy to attend meetings on every occasion, minutes of the meetings and reports etc help to keep me up to date. These All Party Groups have no formal status but do act as very effective pressure groups and think tanks.

This week a new All Party Parliamentary Group has been started to focus on Community Banking, an issue which has become of great concern to many members across the House.

We have seen, over recent years, bank branches gradually closing, not just in rural areas but in High Street and suburbs as well, and the likelihood is that this will continue and even accelerate due to further bank mergers.

MPs wish to discuss the effects this will have within their constituencies.

The Group will be able to invite representations from banks as well as community workers in order to ascertain the facts and find amicable solutions if possible.

The growing debate about rural post office closures will also be relevant to the banking situation as many villages could find themselves without either.

Beyond this, much of this week has been taken up, once again, by the delicate situation in Northern Ireland.

This has provided deep disappointment and the Government was right to introduce quick legislation to pave the way for a return to direct rule. Whilst I very much hope it will not need to be invoked, I have to say I am not optimistic for a settlement.