Oral Answers to Questions

James Morris Excerpts

Wednesday 15th June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

4. What steps he is taking to enable young people in (a) England and (b) Northamptonshire to participate in the national citizen service in the summer of 2011.

[James Morris (Halesowen and Rowley Regis) (Con)]

6. What steps he is taking to enable young people to participate in the national citizen service in the summer of 2011.

[The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr Nick Hurd)]

As my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Mr Hollobone) knows, we are offering more than 10,000 places to 16-year-olds this summer, including 135 in Northamptonshire. Our 12 providers are working hard to ensure full participation. I hope that he will lend his personal support to Catch22 and the Prince’s Trust in his area.

--- Later in debate ---

[James Morris]

There are a number of national citizens service pilots in and around my constituency. Does the Minister agree that we need to find ways of increasing and deepening access to this scheme in the most deprived areas by using innovative ways of communicating with youth clubs and other local institutions?

[Mr Hurd]

My hon. Friend raises an important point. One of the key benchmarks for success of the scheme is creating the right social mix on residential courses. The aim is to create opportunities for young people to meet people they would never otherwise expect to meet. That is very much part of the obligation on our providers and we are monitoring it very closely.