Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gavin Williamson and Jake Berry

Monday 6th September 2021 Commons Chamber

[Gavin Williamson]

We work with the university sector throughout the United Kingdom to attract the highest-quality talent from around the globe to study at our universities. The hon. Lady is absolutely right to point out the important economic benefits that international students bring to the whole United Kingdom. We will continue to work closely with the sector to attract students, and with the Home Office and the Department of Health and Social Care to make sure that their access to the UK is easy and properly supported.

[Jake Berry (Rossendale and Darwen) (Con)]

I draw the House’s attention to my role as a governor of the Valley Leadership Academy. That school, among others in Rossendale and Darwen, sends lots of pupils to university to take vocational courses and to study for vocational qualifications. With that in mind, I thank the Secretary of State for the funding to rebuild two schools in Rossendale—Whitworth Community High School and All Saints’ Roman Catholic High School; will he also fund a new building at the Valley Leadership Academy for all the pupils who want to go on to vocational courses?

[Gavin Williamson]

I thought that if I gave my right hon. Friend two schools, it might shut him up, but he continues to ask for a third. I would love to make such a large promise for him at the Dispatch Box. I would be more than happy to sit down with him to discuss it and see what can be done. He is absolutely right about the value of technical education and how it delivers so much not only for youngsters themselves but for the economy.

Petitions

Debate between Gavin Williamson and Jake Berry

Tuesday 27th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Gavin Williamson (South Staffordshire) (Con)]

I wish to present a petition from residents wishing to stop Traveller sites from being built on green belt land, which has been signed by 2,181 people. It states:

The Petition of residents of the South Staffordshire constituency and others,

Declares that Traveller sites are being built on green belt land; and further declares that the petitioners believe that planning law should apply to these sites.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to bring forward proposals to change the law to prevent Traveller sites being imposed on green belt land.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

[P000853]

[Jake Berry (Rossendale and Darwen) (Con)]

I wish to present a petition on behalf of the Friends of Sunnyhurst Wood and others. It records the support of the users of Sunnyhurst wood to stop the

“storage of silt from the Paddling Pond and Moat Lake”

being allowed to form

“large unsightly mounds over long periods.”

Following is the full text of the petition:

[The Petition of the Friends of Sunnyhurst Wood and others,

Declares that the storage of silt from the Paddling Pond and Moat Lake in Sunnyhurst Wood results in the formation of large unsightly mounds over long periods.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to call on Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council to take steps to prevent the storage of silt in Sunnyhurst Wood.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.]

[P000854]