The day began in the dentist's chair. Ugh! Anyway, it got better and more interesting. Sadly, there had been an earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, which killed at least 1,000 people and injuring many more. As if the country has not been through enough. By coincidence, I had organised a meeting between Dr Enrique Steiger and Andrew McCoubrey, Development Director, Afghanistan, at the Foreign Office, to discuss the stricken country. I'd met Enrique on holiday. He is an extraordinary man, who, in addition to being a plastic and trauma surgeon, visits third world countries to help out where he can. He's been involved in Afghanistan for more than 20 years and clearly knows it well. He is concerned that unless the West continues to help the country, it will once again be infiltrated by terrorist organisations, risking both another civil war and of course attacks on us. He's convinced the Taliban are not a threat to the West. They just want to be left to run their country their way. The virtual meeting lasted an hour and was fascinating. Andrew was most impressive, as was a Dr colleague of his, who was an expert on the medical help being given. Andrew and Enrique have agreed to keep in touch. I attended PMQs, which was the normal Punch & Judy show. The PM struck back, goading Starmer on his inaction on the rail strike and the fact 25 of his MPs had been on the picket line. Afterwards, I stayed in the Chamber to hear Dominic Raab make his Statement on a new Bill of Rights. While we are not leaving the European Court of Human Rights, the Bill will enable us to take back control of our immigration policy. I had to leave just before 1300 to attend the virtual meeting with Dr Steiger. Later, I missed a call from minister Lucy Fraser, who is pushing through legislation on the dreaded windfall tax on oil and gas companies. I will not be supporting this. She actually called the wrong number, and is due to call tomorrow. In the afternoon, I met up with Baroness Jacqueline Foster, who speaks so much common sense. We enjoyed a cuppa together and indulged in a bit of political gossip! Government business ended early. Meanwhile, the blockade of the port of Odessa is preventing vital grain supplies from reaching the outside world, leading to shortages and increased global prices. And Transport Secretary Grant Shapps accused Mick Lynch of “wasting time making false claims in the media” after the union boss accused him of wrecking negotiations.