Oral Answers to Questions

Bob Russell Excerpts

Monday 24th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

A Minister to the Dispatch Box, please.

[Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD)]

I can answer that question!

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Gentleman may be keen to be a Minister, but he is not there yet, and I am in no position to appoint him.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Laws]

In spite of my tardiness in rising to the Dispatch Box, I am aware of the situation at the Deanes school and of my hon. Friend’s robust representation, as always, of the concerns of her constituents. Although the matter is primarily one for the local authority, as she will understand, I would be delighted to meet her to discuss the issues on the ground, which I know are of great importance to many of her constituents.

[Sir Bob Russell]

The last Labour Government’s policies, which were backed by Labour in Colchester, would have led to the closure of the Thomas Lord Audley school. Thanks to the coalition, that school has been saved and is going from strength to strength. The Secretary of State will recall from his visits to Colchester, however, that there is still a question mark over secondary school provision on the Shrub End estate. Will he agree to meet a delegation from Colchester to see whether we can save that school, which Labour also wanted to shut?

[Mr Laws]

I am sure that either the Secretary of State or I would be delighted to meet a delegation from my hon. Friend’s constituency. Both the Secretary of State and I have been to his constituency a number of times, and I am sure that we will do so again.

--- Later in debate ---

[Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD)]

Will the Secretary of State consider yet again the inclusion of British sign language as a GCSE subject? It is appropriate for those students who are less academic and is, after all, a language someone can use throughout the whole of their life.

[Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD)]

The Secretary of State can use it!

[Michael Gove]

I am grateful to the hon. Lady, and to my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Sir Bob Russell) for making the point that British sign language was one of the few languages I learned when I was younger for family reasons. For that reason, I am committed to doing everything we can to encourage its take-up. We are working with Ofqual, the exams regulator, to see whether we can ensure that there is a qualification that is as rigorous as possible and that stands comparison with other GCSEs.