Barry Gardiner
Main Page: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent West)Department Debates - View all Barry Gardiner's debates with the Leader of the House
Business of the House
Barry Gardiner Excerpts(1 day, 10 hours ago)
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Sir Alan Campbell
I thank the right hon. Member for his question. I agree with him about the importance of being able to drive, particularly in areas like his. The DVLA aims to process all applications as quickly as possible, but he will know from the National Audit Office report on driving tests, published this week, that the situation is far from acceptable, and delays can affect the lives of our constituents. I will therefore ensure that a Minister updates him on the steps that the Department for Transport is taking to ensure that the DVLA’s performance improves.
Barry Gardiner (Brent West) (Lab)
May the blessings of Christmas be with you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and all who serve in this place. Few of us can imagine the extraordinary difficulty of studying for university exams in a war zone, so I was delighted about, and commend the Government for, setting up the scholarship scheme for students from Gaza who won places at UK universities. These students—some of the brightest of their generation—will rebuild that war-torn place, but the Leader of the House will know that the scholarships scheme is due to end on 31 December, and there are still some students trapped in Gaza who need to be evacuated, with their children. Perhaps he could speak to the Home Secretary and ask her to set out, in good time, what provision she will make to ensure that those students and their children are not left behind, and to ensure that we honour the commitment we made to them by extending the scheme beyond the end of this month.
Sir Alan Campbell
Gazan students often face huge challenges in taking up their place, and we are carefully considering solutions for those yet to arrive. We want them to be able to take up their place, and to continue their education in the United Kingdom. It will be good for them, and good for our universities, too. I will ensure that my hon. Friend gets a response from the Home Secretary on this issue as a matter of urgency.