In the last few weeks Sikhs in many towns and cities up and down the country have been contacting MPs and prospective Parliamentary candidates (PPCs) to arrange for them to sign a Memorandum of Understanding produced and widely distributed by the Sikh Federation (UK). The Memorandums of Understanding between constituency MPs and the local Sikh community have been very well received by all sitting MPs that have been approached. They have been impressed with the way in which British Sikhs are now far better organised and more politically aware than at any other time. Many have also commented on the success of Sikh Lobby Days to increase awareness and the leadership and direction being provided by the Sikh Federation (UK). The behind the scenes professionalism of the Sikh Secretariat to build close working relations with each of the main political parties has also been praised. Local MPs that have already signed the Memorandum think it an excellent initiative and welcomed the openness and flexibility provided by the tick box design. The Memorandums for sitting MPs and PPCs can be downloaded from the Sikh Federation (UK) web site. The signing of Memorandums has been accompanied by a series of associated Parliamentary Questions in the House of Commons. For example, in the last few weeks The Home Secretary has been asked: If he will revise the statutory code of practice to ensure that all public bodies separately recognise and monitor Sikhs for the purposes of the Race Relations Act 2000. What representations he has received from the Indian High Commission concerning India's opposition to the separate recognition and monitoring of British Sikhs by public bodies in the UK. If he will meet representatives from the (a) Sikh Federation (UK), (b) National Council of Gurdwaras, (c) Young Sikhs and (d) Sikh Secretariat to discuss matters of concern to the Sikh community. To explain which Sikh organisations he has met in each of the last three years. Whether the Government plans to undertake a comprehensive review of the proscription of the International Sikh Youth Federation. The Minister for the Cabinet Office has been asked if he will remove restrictions on the wearing of the Kirpan by Sikh employees and Sikh members of the public in Government buildings. The Solicitor General has been asked whether the Attorney General will initiate a prosecution against the producers of the play Behzti on the grounds it was offensive to Sikhs. In addition, it is understood Parliamentary Questions are in the process of being tabled regarding the Sikh Agenda for the UK Government, public appointments for Sikhs, Sikh representation in the House of Lords, religious freedoms in French schools, attendance of a Cabinet Minister at the next Annual Sikh Convention on Sunday 11 September 2005 at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Sedgely Street, Wolverhampton, the recent inquiry that found the Indian train fire in Gujarat in 2002 was started by accident, Red Cross reports that Indian Government officials are "hijacking" aid supplies to thousands of Sikh families in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and reports that the Indian Government is stopping voluntary groups from relief work.

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