Back up to the Commons for another week. Interestingly, the Prime Minister gave a speech, where, for the first time since taking the job, he mentioned actually cutting taxes. A drop in inflation had given the Chancellor some headroom and we await what taxes will be cut in Wednesday's Autumn Statement. I fear they'll be some over complicated tinkering, rather than a major overhaul of taxes, which are currently at their highest for 70 years. We also need to some major announcements on cutting expenditure, especially in the public sector. Anyway, I am not holding my breath, but let's wait and see what rabbits get pulled out of the proverbial hat. I was in the Chamber by 1430 for Defence Questions and, annoyingly, was not called on two occasions when I rose to ask a question. Naturally, I do not have a God-given right to be called, but, sitting on the Defence Committee, I would have thought counts for something. Back to my office where there was plenty to get on with. I received a most charming card from a couple we had helped over a housing matter. It is the most pleasurable part of my job when we manage to help a constituent in genuine need. My wonderful team played a significant role in this success, as they do in every case we represent. Meanwhile, the Covid Inquiry went on its weary way. Today was the turn of the former chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, to give evidence, and he was quick on to the blame-game, targeting his comments at Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak. Again, it was all tittle-tattle, with little attention being paid to whether locking us all down was appropriate. Good news from Gaza in that 28 premature babies who were evacuated from al-Shifa hospital arrived in Egypt through the Rafah crossing. And there was talk of some of hostages being released soon. No one was sure what the Israelis would have to give in return. And David Cameron officially took his seat in the House of Lords - where he will go by the title of Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton!