Relationships and Sex Education

Debate between Baroness Laing of Elderslie and Diana Johnson

Thursday 19th July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)]

That was Labour’s policy in 2010.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Eleanor Laing)]

Order. Do not interrupt a ministerial statement. [Interruption.] Order. Just do not interrupt it.

--- Later in debate ---

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Eleanor Laing)]

I call Diana Johnson.

[Diana Johnson]

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I was expecting to be called last because of my outburst.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

The hon. Lady is forgiven, and she has an important point to make.

[Diana Johnson]

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

My outburst was because I was so flabbergasted that the Government have now adopted the position that this House was debating in 2010 when the last Labour Government were in power. I remember very well the Schools Minister, who is sitting on the Front Bench today, arguing absolutely against the proposals that the Secretary of State is now making. However, having just looked up the biblical verse saying that when one sinner repents there is much rejoicing in heaven, I am really pleased that we are now in the position today where the Government are finally doing the right thing. But why does it have to take another two years to get to the point where our children and young people can have access to the quality relationships and sex education that we want them to have?

Business of the House

Debate between Baroness Laing of Elderslie and Diana Johnson

Thursday 19th July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Diana Johnson]

On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I am grateful that you are allowing me to raise this point of order at this time, with the Leader of the House still on the Treasury Bench. It has come to light that PICT, which provides parliamentary ICT support to Members, has seemingly decided, without any prior consultation, to close down Members’ second email accounts, claiming it is due to a limited number of licences being available. You will know, Madam Deputy Speaker, that the second email account is a vital tool for MPs in their office management. I ask the Leader of the House to take steps to stop this from happening until there has been a proper consultation and there is proper understanding of what the decision means, and until alternative arrangements have been put in place to allow Members to manage their emails effectively.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Eleanor Laing)]

I thank the hon. Lady for her point of order. Although, quite clearly, it is not a point of order for the Chair in connection with proceedings in the Chamber, it is a very important point affecting a great many colleagues in the House. The Leader of the House will have heard the point, and I will make sure that the matter is drawn to the attention of Mr Speaker. Let us hope that by these various means the matter also comes to the attention of those who organise our sometimes reliable and sometimes not reliable IT service.