Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

Chris Bryant Excerpts
Thursday 19th May 2011

(13 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Young of Cookham Portrait Sir George Young
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I welcome the progress being made with the establishment of academies, following the legislation that we put on to the statute book. I should personally welcome such a debate, which I hope would have cross-party support, given that many people who were in the Labour party strongly support our academies programme. I hope also that all hon. Members will support those schools in their constituencies that are in the process of becoming academies.

Chris Bryant Portrait Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab)
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May we have a debate in Government time about Government policy on singing “Jerusalem” at weddings? If a heterosexual couple get married in church, many clergy will refuse to allow it to be sung, because it is not a hymn addressed to God; if a straight couple get married in a civil wedding, they are point blank not allowed it, because it is a religious song; if, however, a gay couple have a civil partnership, under Government plans they will be allowed to sing it. So can we make sure that “Jerusalem” is not just reserved for homosexuals?

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I want to hear the Leader’s reply!