A CONSTITUENT whom I have known and greatly respected for many years rebukes me for being too mild in my comments recently about the scarcity of NHS dentistry. I accept his criticism.

"How are ordinary people who cannot afford private dentistry going to keep their teeth in good order when only two out of every seven practices in this area accept adults on NHS terms?" he wrote to me.

"As soon as you can get back to this appalling dental situation in your weekly commentaries, and match your writing by Commons Questions, the happier I shall be."

Mission partially accomplished. I have now tabled the questions. They will be answered in about 10 days. Watch this space.

I WAS immensely impressed when I visited Basingstoke and Deane Sea Cadets last week at TS Mary Rose, Winklebury, to present them with their Proficiency Pennant. Commanding Officer Lt Andrew Johnson RNR organises a varied and appealing programme for the young cadets. It was wonderful to witness their obvious pride in their unit, in their performances and in their appearance.

It speaks volumes for Basingstoke Sea Cadets that in Natalie Eades they have their second Lord Lieutenant's Cadet in three years.

I AM now obtaining a second opinion on the controversial issue of Drake's Bar and the current licensing law.

The opinion which I have already received is unambiguous: "Local authorities have considerable scope for turning down any application they consider unsuitable. Some authorities as a matter of policy reject all applications for sex entertainment; others may decide to exercise their right to impose severe restrictions on the kind of entertainment, its explicitness and the nature of contact between performer and customer."