Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

James Morris Excerpts
Thursday 24th January 2013

(11 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Lansley Portrait Mr Lansley
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I if may, I shall simply smile delphically at the hon. Lady. These are matters that we keep closely in touch with the Backbench Business Committee about.

James Morris Portrait James Morris (Halesowen and Rowley Regis) (Con)
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The Ormiston Forge Academy in my constituency is using its new freedoms to develop innovative relationships with business to improve the teaching of science and other technical subjects. May we have a debate about how academies are using their new freedoms to improve the educational experience of children in such subjects?

Lord Lansley Portrait Mr Lansley
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Yes, I agree: it has been extremely encouraging to see the considerable progress that has been made, not least with academies and free schools taking such opportunities. For example, on EBacc take-up, in 2013 the number of pupils taking triple science will have gone up by 82%. That and other increases in the number of science students are very important for the future competitiveness and success of our students.