Oral Answers to Questions

David Winnick Excerpts

Tuesday 14th October 2014 Commons Chamber

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

I strongly agree with the hon. Gentleman: the huge and positive effect of getting children to enjoy and relish reading is well demonstrated. In fact, a new campaign has recently been launched, with the support of The Sun and a number of campaign groups, to get children reading more. I was at a primary school just yesterday to play my bit in advertising the campaign. The more that hon. Members from both sides of the House can get involved the better, because it will mean more children reading at an earlier age.

[Mr David Winnick (Walsall North) (Lab)]

Does the Deputy Prime Minister consider that his own deprived background and upbringing is a good example of social mobility?

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

That is a characteristically sour question. I have never sought to hold myself up as some paragon of social mobility. What I care about, and what I suspect everybody in this House cares about, wherever they come from, is that we live in a country where people can live out their dreams regardless of the circumstances of their birth.