Back from hols and into the in-tray. At the top - the Sandbanks ferry. Regrettably, the ferry has had to be towed to Southampton for major repairs to the drive-shaft. The breakdown has come at the busiest time of year for both the ferry company and local businesses, who rely on their summer trade. I had asked for my team to organise an emergency meeting with the ferry company, which was kindly accommodated by the company's MD Mike Kean. I had asked my colleague Robert Syms and Mike Tomlinson to come too. The former could make it and made a most helpful contribution. We sat down with Mr Kean, his general manager, Nick Purchase, and a representative from a PR company. The conversation was in confidence, but both Mr Syms and I were satisfied with the answers we received and concluded that this was an unforeseen and unpreventable incident that was just bad luck. I shall be writing to constituents who have expressed their concern and have invited two of them to meet Mr Kean. Chatting things through is always the best way forward. I quite understand the frustration of local businesses and people, especially as my home is in Dorset and I lived at Sandbanks for five years. It is an essential crossing and not having one at the height of the summer season is very bad news. The company is doing all it can to have the service restored in October. Further statements are due to be made, further explaining what has gone wrong and what is being done to correct it.